Liofilchem™ MTS™ Ketoconazole KE 0.002-32, MIC Test strips

Liofilchem™ MTS™ Ketoconazole MIC Test Strips are quantitative gradient diffusion assays designed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ketoconazole (KE) against clinically important fungi. Each strip contains a continuous, predefined gradient of ketoconazole in the range of 0.002 to 32 µg/mL, enabling precise antifungal susceptibility testing.

MTS™ strips provide a convenient agar-based alternative to reference broth microdilution methods (CLSI and EUCAST), offering reproducible, reliable results in routine clinical microbiology and research laboratories.

Key Features

• Antifungal gradient strip for ketoconazole (KE).
• MIC range: 0.002 to 32 µg/mL.
• Enables precise MIC determination for clinical isolates.
• Reproducible and accurate results compared to broth microdilution.
• Simple, easy-to-use format for routine testing.
• Available in 10, 30, and 100 pack sizes to suit lab throughput.

Use Cases

1. Clinical Microbiology Laboratories
   • Routine susceptibility testing of fungal pathogens (e.g., Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., dermatophytes).
   • Provides critical MIC data to guide antifungal therapy with ketoconazole.
2. Antifungal Stewardship Programs
   • Helps clinicians optimize antifungal therapy by selecting effective drugs and preventing resistance development.
   • Supports hospital infection control policies.
3. Epidemiological and Resistance Surveillance
   • Monitoring of ketoconazole resistance patterns in clinical isolates.
   • Data collection for local, regional, and global antifungal resistance trends.
4. Pharmaceutical and Academic Research
   • Investigating the in vitro activity of ketoconazole against emerging fungal pathogens.
   • Comparative antifungal efficacy studies with other azoles (e.g., itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole).
5. Veterinary Microbiology
   • Used in some cases to assess fungal susceptibility in veterinary medicine, where ketoconazole is applied.

Clinical Significance

• Ketoconazole is an imidazole antifungal that inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis, a vital component of fungal cell membranes.
• While its systemic use in humans is now limited due to hepatotoxicity concerns, it remains important in topical formulations and as a reference antifungal in susceptibility testing.
• Determining the MIC of ketoconazole helps clinicians:
  • Identify resistant fungal strains, particularly among Candida spp. and dermatophytes.
  • Support therapeutic decisions for topical or localized infections where ketoconazole is still clinically relevant.
  • Provide surveillance data to understand resistance trends within azole antifungals.
• In research contexts, ketoconazole MIC testing is also useful as a benchmark for evaluating new antifungal agents.

The Liofilchem™ MTS™ Ketoconazole (KE) 0.002–32 MIC Test Strips provide a robust, standardized, and easy-to-use method for antifungal susceptibility testing. With their broad MIC range and reproducibility, they are invaluable in clinical diagnostics, antifungal stewardship, resistance surveillance, and research. Although ketoconazole’s systemic clinical use is restricted, these strips remain significant for monitoring fungal resistance patterns, topical therapy guidance, and comparative antifungal studies, making them a crucial tool in both clinical and research microbiology laboratories.