The Etest ESBL Strip are designed to confirm the presence of clavulanic acid inhibitable ESBL enzymes in E. coli, K. pneumoniae and K. oxytoca.
ESBLs (Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases) essentially inactivates all penicillins and cephalosporins, and they are generally inhibited by B-lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid. ESBLs are associated with high morbidity and mortality and leave few options for treatment of infections that they are involved in. Therefore, accurate detection is essential to guide therapy selection.
The Etest ESBL strips contain cefotaxime (CT) or ceftazidime (TZ) on one end of the strip and cefotaxime plus clavulanic acid (CTL) or ceftazidime plus clavulanic (TZL) acid on the other end of the strip. Testing must be done with both strips. The test is set up like a standard Etest procedure, however, an inhibition ellipse may appear at the end of each strip. The presence of ESBL is confirmed by the CT/CTL or TZ/TZL ratio or deformation of the ellipses.
Remel
www.remelinc.com
Keyword: ESBL, identification, strips
