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Neisseria gonorrhoeae penicillin susceptibility: a comparison of three testing methods
1Department of Medical Microbiology, St George's Hospital, London, England, UK.
Abstract:
The 3-disc sensitivity method and the PDM Epsilometer (E-Test) were compared against the agar plate dilution reference method for the testing of N. gonorrhoeae penicillin susceptibility. Forty-six clinical isolates and five reference strains were examined. Both methods showed a high level of correlation in the detection of both high and moderate levels of resistance and both should be considered suitable for routine use. The E-Test had the advantage of producing a precise breakdown of the level of moderate resistance and may have a role to play in the diagnostic laboratory for this type of work.
Insights
The 3-disc diffusion method and E-Test are reliable for detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae penicillin resistance. Both methods correlate well with the reference agar dilution, making them suitable for routine laboratory use.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Background:
- Penicillin resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae poses a significant public health challenge.
- Accurate and efficient susceptibility testing is crucial for guiding treatment decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the performance of the 3-disc diffusion method and the PDM Epsilometer (E-Test) against the agar plate dilution reference method.
- To evaluate the suitability of these methods for routine testing of N. gonorrhoeae penicillin susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Agar plate dilution as the reference method.
- Testing of 46 clinical isolates and 5 reference strains of N. gonorrhoeae.
- Comparison of results obtained from the 3-disc diffusion method and the E-Test.
Main Results:
- Both the 3-disc diffusion method and the E-Test demonstrated a high level of correlation with the reference method.
- Both methods effectively detected high and moderate levels of penicillin resistance.
- The E-Test provided a more precise differentiation of moderate resistance levels.
Conclusions:
- The 3-disc diffusion method and the E-Test are suitable for routine N. gonorrhoeae penicillin susceptibility testing.
- The E-Test offers an advantage in characterizing moderate resistance, potentially aiding diagnostic laboratories.
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