Antimicrobial susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori determined by the E test using tetrazolium egg yolk agar

Metronidazole and tetracycline E tests were compared to an agar dilution method for the antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Helicobacter pylori. Sixteen strains were tested by using tetrazolium egg yolk (TEY) agar. The characteristic E test inhibition ellipse was clearer on TEY agar than on standard blood agar and gave results comparable to those of the agar dilution test. The use of TEY medium is preferable to that of blood agar medium in E test MIC determinations for H. pylori.