The Etest® MIC Strip is a continuous gradient MIC product cleared by the FDA for anaerobic susceptibility testing. Anaerobic bacteria are associated with serious infections, but susceptibility testing for anaerobes can be a challenge. A significant percentage of anaerobes do not grow well in broth microdilution systems, and disk diffusion is not suitable because variable growth rates will influence zone sizes due to the instable antibiotic gradient around a disk. However, the performed and stable gradient concept underlying Etest has been documented to be suitable for susceptibility testing of anaerobes.
Remel Inc
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