Raising the Bar: Improving Antimicrobial Resistance Detection by Clinical Laboratories by Ensuring Use of Current Breakpoints

ABSTRACT: Abstract

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global challenge detected by antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) performed by clinical laboratories. AST results are interpreted using clinical breakpoints, which are updated to enable accurate detection of new and emerging AMR. Laboratories that do not apply up-to-date breakpoints impede global efforts to address the AMR crisis, but the extent of this practice is poorly understood.

Methods

A total of 1490 clinical laboratories participating in a College of American Pathologists proficiency testing survey for bacterial cultures were queried to determine use of obsolete breakpoints.

Results

Between 37.9% and 70.5% of US laboratories reported using obsolete breakpoints for the antimicrobials th

SUBMITTER: Simner P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8826219 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature