Antimicrobial susceptibility

Test description

Description:

Determination of the antibiotic sensitivity of Neisseria meningitidis by the E-test method. This is a quantitative method in which on the surface of an agar plate inoculated with a bacterial strain, a plastic strip is applied with a known concentration gradient antibiotic on one side and a readable scale in mg/L on the other. MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration, mg/L) values are read directly on the strip.

Result:

The clinical category of antibiotic susceptibility of a strain (sensitive — intermediate — resistant) is determined by testing the MIC values against the EUCAST criteria. 

Purpose of the test.

Susceptibility of Neisseria meningitidis strains to antibiotics.

Criteria for conducting this test in the context of reference activities

Susceptibility test to antibiotics of all NRC-confirmed Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated from a normal sterile body fluid (lumbar fluid, blood, peritoneal fluid) from patients presenting symptoms of acute infection (meningitis, sepsis, …).

Instructions for samples

• Type: The applicant sends an isolated and purified Neisseria meningitidis strain inoculated on a tube of transport medium or petri plate for analysis.
• Minimum quantity: not applicable

Instructions for transport

For safety reasons, bottoms should be packed in a double protective container and stored at room temperature. Refrigerated transport must absolutely be avoided. The container must be hermetically sealed.

Unacceptable applications

Not applicable. 

Turnaround time (and frequency of analysis)

• Turnaround time: 15 working days
• Days of analysis: Any weekday (excluding: public holidays, extended weekends and the period between Christmas and New Year). 

Reporting of test results

The analysis report is sent in the manner desired by the applicant.