Description of the test
Determination of susceptibility of S. pneumoniae by disk-diffusion technique to penicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, levofloxacin and co-trimoxazole. In case of decreased susceptibility to penicillin (based on oxacillin 1µg result), MICs are determined for penicillin, cefotaxime, amoxicillin, levofloxacin, moxiflocaxin, vancomycin, clindamycin, erythromycin and co-trimoxazole by broth microdilution method. Result is reported as sensitive (S), sensitive subject to increased exposure (I) or resistant (R) according to the latest EUCAST guidelines.
Purpose of the test
To monitor the evolution of antibiotic resistance in pneumococci, which is responsible for invasive infections in Belgium.
Criteria for conducting this test within the framework of reference activities
Only strains isolated from hemocultures, lumbar fluids or other normally sterile body fluids.
Instructions for samples
Send strain on non-incubated blood agar (Petri dish or tube).
Instructions for shipping
- Rush order not necessary provided shipment reaches reference laboratory within 72 hours.
- Petri dish first wrapped in plastic bag before sending in envelope (=double wrapped).
Unacceptable applications
Non-purified subcultures.
Turn around time (and frequency of analysis)
Normal duration of analysis = 5 days
Reporting of test results
Response is sent by standard mail, but results may be sent via fax, or other channel to the forwarding laboratory depending on the set preference for reporting within UZ Leuven.