Liofilchem® Piperacillin PRL, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Discs, 30 µg

Liofilchem® Piperacillin Antimicrobial Susceptibility Discs (30 µg) are designed for use in antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) to determine the sensitivity or resistance of bacterial isolates to Piperacillin, a broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic. These discs are an essential tool in clinical microbiology laboratories, aiding in the selection of appropriate antimicrobial therapy for bacterial infections.

Key Features:

1. Standardized Dosage: Each disc contains 30 µg of Piperacillin, ensuring consistent and reliable results.
2. High-Quality Manufacturing: Made under stringent quality control to comply with global standards such as EUCAST and CLSI guidelines.
3. Sterile and Ready-to-Use: Packaged with a desiccant to maintain integrity and potency.
4. Precision Testing: Facilitates differentiation between susceptible, intermediate, and resistant bacterial strains.

Composition:

• Active Ingredient: 30 µg of Piperacillin impregnated in each disc.
• Disc Material: High-quality, absorbent paper.

Method Principle:

The disc diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer technique) is employed:

1. Discs are placed on the surface of an agar plate inoculated with the test organism.
2. The plate is incubated, allowing the antibiotic to diffuse into the agar.
3. Zones of inhibition (areas with no bacterial growth) are measured to determine susceptibility.

Applications and Use Cases:

1. Clinical Diagnosis:

• Target Pathogens: Effective against a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp.) and some Gram-positive bacteria.
• Use Case:
  • Determine the susceptibility of bacteria isolated from clinical specimens such as:
    • Blood cultures
    • Urine samples (for urinary tract infections)
    • Wound swabs
    • Respiratory samples (e.g., sputum)
  • Guide therapeutic decisions in infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common nosocomial pathogen.

2. Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance:

• Used in antimicrobial stewardship programs to track resistance patterns over time.
• Aids in evaluating hospital-acquired infections and determining shifts in microbial resistance trends.

3. Veterinary and Environmental Testing:

• Applied in testing bacterial isolates from animals, food products, or environmental samples to monitor contamination and resistance development.

Interpretation of Results:

The zone of inhibition (in millimeters) is measured and interpreted as:

• Sensitive (S): Indicates the organism is inhibited by Piperacillin at standard dosages.
• Intermediate (I): Indicates possible reduced susceptibility; higher doses may be required.
• Resistant (R): Indicates the organism is not inhibited and alternative antibiotics are required.

Interpretation criteria align with EUCAST or CLSI standards.

Quality Control:

Control strains are tested periodically to ensure consistent performance:

• Escherichia coli ATCC® 25922: Expected inhibition zone within the specified range.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC® 27853: Used to validate effectiveness against challenging Gram-negative bacteria.
• Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 25923: Confirms absence of cross-resistance.

Storage Conditions:

• Store at 2-8°C in a dry environment away from direct sunlight.
• Avoid freezing or exposure to high humidity to maintain disc potency.
• Use before the expiry date printed on the packaging.

Packaging:

• Discs are available in cartridges containing 50 or 100 discs, individually sealed with a desiccant to maintain activity.

Advantages:

1. Broad Spectrum: Covers diverse bacterial pathogens, reducing empirical treatment errors.
2. Standardized Results: Facilitates uniformity and reproducibility across laboratories.
3. Cost-Effective: Enables simultaneous testing of multiple isolates.
4. Global Compliance: Meets international standards for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Precautions:

1. Handle with aseptic techniques to prevent contamination.
2. Use only with pure bacterial cultures.
3. Ensure proper incubation conditions (e.g., Mueller-Hinton agar at 35°C) for accurate results.
4. Discs are for in vitro diagnostic use only.

Summary of Use Cases:

• Healthcare Settings: Diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections.
• Public Health Surveillance: Monitoring antibiotic resistance trends.
• Veterinary Labs: Ensuring proper treatment for animal infections.
• Environmental Testing: Evaluating contamination in water or food industries.

Product Specifications:

• Product Name: Liofilchem® Piperacillin Antimicrobial Susceptibility Discs
• Dosage: 30 µg per disc
• Model Number: Specific to the product batch
• Shelf Life: 2-3 years under recommended storage conditions
• Compliance: EUCAST and CLSI standards

By providing consistent, reliable results, Liofilchem Piperacillin Antimicrobial Susceptibility Discs play a pivotal role in optimizing antimicrobial use and combating bacterial resistance.