Liofilchem™ MTS™ Meropenem/Meropenem+Phenylboronic acid MRP/MBO 0.125-8/0.032-2, MIC Test strips

The Liofilchem™ MTS™ Meropenem/Meropenem+Phenylboronic Acid (MRP/MBO) MIC Test Strips are specifically designed to detect Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) and other beta-lactamase activities in Gram-negative bacteria. These test strips combine the power of gradient diffusion MIC testing with the addition of Phenylboronic Acid (PBA), a potent inhibitor of Class A carbapenemases (e.g., KPC), enabling reliable identification of carbapenem-resistant pathogens.

Key Features

1. Dual Testing Capability:
   • Each strip includes a gradient for Meropenem (MRP) and Meropenem + Phenylboronic Acid (MBO) for direct MIC comparison.
2. Carbapenemase Detection:
   • Identifies resistance mechanisms by comparing the MIC values of MRP and MBO, with significant reduction in MIC indicative of KPC production.
3. Broad MIC Range:
   • Covers 0.125–8 µg/mL for Meropenem and 0.032–2 µg/mL for Meropenem+PBA, allowing for low- and high-level resistance detection.
4. High Sensitivity:
   • Effectively identifies Class A carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales with minimal false positives.
5. Ease of Use:
   • Simple application on agar plates, requiring minimal technical expertise.
6. Standards Compliance:
   • Conforms to CLSI and EUCAST guidelines for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST).

Applications

Testing Procedure

1. Preparation:
   • Prepare a bacterial suspension to 0.5 McFarland standard.
   • Spread the suspension uniformly on Mueller-Hinton agar plates.
2. Application:
   • Place the MTS™ MRP/MBO strips on the inoculated agar surface using sterile forceps.
3. Incubation:
   • Incubate plates at 35–37°C for 16–20 hours under aerobic conditions.
4. Interpretation:
   • Read the MIC value where bacterial growth intersects the strip.
   • Compare MIC values for Meropenem (MRP) and Meropenem+PBA (MBO):
     • A reduction in MIC by ≥3 two-fold dilutions (≥8×) indicates KPC production.

Storage and Stability

Technical Specifications

Quality Control Data

• Positive Controls: Confirm detection of KPC-producing strains.
• Negative Controls: Ensure no false-positive results in non-KPC producers.

Interpretation of Results

Comparison with Other MIC Test Strips

Advantages

Conclusion

The Liofilchem™ MTS™ Meropenem/Meropenem+PBA (MRP/MBO) MIC Test Strips are a critical tool for identifying KPC carbapenemase production, providing clinicians and researchers with precise and reproducible results. Their dual gradient diffusion system ensures reliable detection of resistance mechanisms, making them indispensable for antimicrobial stewardship and resistance monitoring programs.