Liofilchem® Cefepime FEP Antimicrobial Susceptibility Discs, 30 µg

The Liofilchem® Cefepime FEP Antimicrobial Susceptibility Discs (available in 10 µg and 30 µg concentrations) are specialized tools for determining bacterial susceptibility to cefepime, a fourth-generation cephalosporin. These discs are critical for identifying effective antibiotic regimens and monitoring antimicrobial resistance.

Key Features

1. Active Ingredient:
   • Each disc contains either 10 µg or 30 µg of cefepime.
   • Cefepime offers a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including strains producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs).
2. Compliance and Standards:
   • Manufactured according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines.
   • Provides reliable and reproducible results.
3. High-Quality Construction:
   • Made from absorbent paper uniformly impregnated with cefepime to ensure consistent diffusion.
   • Sterile, individually packaged discs to maintain potency and reliability.
4. Dual Concentrations:
   • 10 µg Discs: Primarily used for specialized testing, including the detection of low-level resistance mechanisms.
   • 30 µg Discs: Standard concentration for routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
5. Format and Packaging:
   • Available in convenient cartridges compatible with most disc dispensers.
   • Supplied in packs of 50 or 100 discs.
6. Storage:
   • Store at 2–8°C to maintain efficacy.
   • Shelf life: 24 months under proper storage conditions.

Applications

1. Clinical Microbiology:
   • Routine testing of bacterial isolates from patient samples.
   • Provides susceptibility profiles for effective treatment planning.
2. Resistance Mechanism Identification:
   • Detects beta-lactamase activity, including AmpC and ESBL production.
3. Research and Development:
   • Utilized in microbiological research for studying bacterial resistance patterns and evaluating new antibiotics.

Testing Procedure

1. Preparation:
   • Prepare a bacterial suspension equivalent to 0.5 McFarland standard and inoculate on Mueller-Hinton Agar.
2. Application:
   • Place either the 10 µg or 30 µg Cefepime disc on the inoculated plate using a disc dispenser or sterile forceps.
3. Incubation:
   • Incubate at 35°C ± 2°C for 16–18 hours.
4. Result Interpretation:
   • Measure the inhibition zone diameter.
   • Refer to CLSI or EUCAST breakpoint tables to determine susceptibility.

Susceptibility Profiles

• 10 µg Discs:
  • Sensitive detection of low-level resistance, aiding in phenotypic testing.
• 30 µg Discs:
  • Standard use for determining the clinical susceptibility of organisms.
• Susceptible Organisms:
  • Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Enterobacter species.
• Resistant Mechanisms:
  • Identifies AmpC beta-lactamases, ESBLs, and carbapenemase-producing strains.

Quality Control

• Positive Control Strains:
  • Escherichia coli ATCC® 25922: Expected inhibition zone within CLSI/EUCAST standards.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC® 27853: Ensures consistent disc potency and diffusion accuracy.
• Negative Control Strains:
  • Non-susceptible strains with no inhibition zone for validation.

Comparison Between 10 µg and 30 µg Discs

Advantages

1. High-quality and reproducible results.
2. Dual concentrations cater to both routine and specialized testing.
3. Meets international susceptibility testing standards (CLSI and EUCAST).
4. Easy-to-use format compatible with automated and manual disc dispensers.

The Liofilchem® Cefepime FEP Antimicrobial Susceptibility Discs in 10 µg and 30 µg concentrations are indispensable tools in clinical microbiology for effective bacterial susceptibility testing. Their precision and compliance with global standards make them essential for diagnosing infections, guiding treatments, and combating antimicrobial resistance.