Liofilchem® Ertapenem ETP, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Discs, 10 µg

Liofilchem® Ertapenem Discs are standardized antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) tools designed for the evaluation of bacterial resistance to ertapenem, a carbapenem antibiotic. These discs are widely used for phenotypic detection of carbapenem susceptibility in Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas spp., and other Gram-negative pathogens, aiding in the effective selection of therapeutic regimens.

Key Features

1. Active Agent: Contains 10 µg of ertapenem per disc.
2. Reliable and Accurate: Provides reproducible inhibition zones for determining susceptibility or resistance.
3. Global Standards Compliance: Aligned with CLSI and EUCAST guidelines for AST.
4. Broad Clinical Application: Effective for testing Gram-negative pathogens, including carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE).
5. Easy Handling: Suitable for use with standard disc diffusion methods on Mueller-Hinton agar.

Technical Specifications

Test Procedure

1. Preparation:
   • Prepare bacterial suspension equivalent to 0.5 McFarland standard.
   • Spread evenly on a Mueller-Hinton Agar plate.
2. Disc Placement:
   • Place the ertapenem disc (10 µg) on the inoculated agar using sterile forceps or an automated dispenser.
   • Ensure adequate spacing between discs to avoid overlapping inhibition zones.
3. Incubation:
   • Incubate the plate at 35–37°C for 16–20 hours under aerobic conditions.
4. Result Interpretation:
   • Measure the diameter of the inhibition zone in millimeters using a ruler or automated zone reader.
   • Compare results against CLSI/EUCAST breakpoint tables for interpretation.

Result Interpretation

Quality Control

Applications

1. Detection of Resistance:
   • Identifies ertapenem-resistant strains and differentiates carbapenemase-producing organisms.
2. Guidance for Therapy:
   • Aids clinicians in selecting appropriate carbapenem treatments.
3. Surveillance Programs:
   • Monitors antimicrobial resistance trends in healthcare and environmental settings.

Advantages

Comparative Analysis

Standard References

1. CLSI M100 Performance Standards:
   • Provides updated breakpoints and QC ranges for ertapenem testing.
2. EUCAST Guidelines:
   • Includes specific guidance on carbapenem susceptibility.
3. ISO 20776-1:
   • Describes disc diffusion methods for AST.
4. Scientific Literature:
   • Studies evaluating the efficacy of ertapenem for multidrug-resistant infections.

Conclusion

The Liofilchem® Ertapenem (ETP) Antimicrobial Susceptibility Discs, 10 µg offer a standardized, accurate, and reliable method for detecting carbapenem resistance. Their compliance with global standards ensures they are an essential tool for microbiology laboratories addressing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

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