December 4, 2006

Dade Behring Inc, Deerfield, Ill, has launched new test panels that confirm the presence of ESBLs in certain bacteria. The MicroScan Dried Gram-Negative Overnight and Synergies Plus panels with Streamlined Extended Spectrum B-Lactamase (ESBL) tests for the confirmation of the enzymes that cause bacteria to become antibiotic resistant.

These new test panels will automate the process to confirm the presence of ESBL enzymes, allowing laboratory personnel to confirm test results more rapidly so physicians can choose the best antibiotic therapy for their patients.

The test panels will include confirmation of ESBL enzymes in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Escherichia coli, and Proteus mirabilis. These bacteria are resistant to multiple commonly prescribed antibiotics including penicillins, cephalosporins, cephams, and monobactams.

The panels eliminate the need for laboratory personnel to perform an additional test to confirm the presence of ESBL enzymes.