Comparison of microscan broth microdilution, synergy quad plate agar dilution, and disk diffusion screening methods for detection of high-level aminoglycoside resistance in enterococcus species

Prevalence of High-Level Aminoglycoside Resistance and Genes Encoding Aminoglycoside-Modifying Enzymes in Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium Isolated in a University Hospital in Tokyo

High-level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR) limits treatment options for invasive enterococcal infections. We examined the prevalence of HLAR, carriage of genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, and production of β-lactamase using the disk diffusion method, polymerase chain reaction, and a nitrocefin-based test, respectively, in Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolated from patients at a university hospital in Tokyo in 2010. Of the 100 E. faecalis isolates analyzed, 30 isolates had high-level resistance (HLR) to gentamicin, and 22 isolates had HLR to streptomycin. Of the 40 E. faecium isolates analyzed, 9 isolates had HLR to gentamicin, and 9 isolates had HLR to streptomycin. Of the 39 gentamicin-HLR enterococcal isolates, 24 isolates were non-HLR to streptomycin. All 39 isolates with HLR to gentamicin as well as 19 of 101 without HLR carried aac(6')-Ie-aph(2'')-Ia. Carriage of ant(6')-Ia was confirmed in 25 of 31 streptomycin-HLR isolates. Production of β-lactamase was documented in none of the E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates. Whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed that all but one E. faecalis isolate that carried aac(6')-Ie-aph(2'')-Ia and ant(6')-Ia belonged to sequence type (ST) 4 (n = 8), ST16 (n = 4), or ST179 (n = 9). Nevertheless, most of the pairs of isolates had > 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms even among the isolates of the same ST.

Expert systems in clinical microbiology

This review aims to discuss expert systems in general and how they may be used in medicine as a whole and clinical microbiology in particular (with the aid of interpretive reading). It considers rule-based systems, pattern-based systems, and data mining and introduces neural nets. A variety of noncommercial systems is described, and the central role played by the EUCAST is stressed. The need for expert rules in the environment of reset EUCAST breakpoints is also questioned. Commercial automated systems with on-board expert systems are considered, with emphasis being placed on the "big three": Vitek 2, BD Phoenix, and MicroScan. By necessity and in places, the review becomes a general review of automated system performances for the detection of specific resistance mechanisms rather than focusing solely on expert systems. Published performance evaluations of each system are drawn together and commented on critically.

Antibacterial susceptibility testing in the clinical laboratory

This article familiarizes the clinician with the principles of bacterial susceptibility testing and reporting to facilitate communication with the clinical microbiology laboratory. As resistance continues to emerge among a wide range of clinically relevant bacteria, the complexity of this communication increases. This updated version provides an overview of the important susceptibility concerns for most commonly isolated bacterial pathogens.

Antibacterial susceptibility testing in the clinical laboratory

This article familiarizes the clinician with the principles of bacterial susceptibility testing and reporting to facilitate communication with the clinical microbiology laboratory. The emergence of resistance in nearly all commonly isolated bacterial organisms has highlighted the need for ongoing dialogue between the laboratory and those who use its services.