Breakpoints for susceptibility testing should not divide wild-type distributions of important target species

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2009 Apr;53(4):1628-9. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01624-08. Epub 2009 Feb 2.

Abstract

The fluconazole MIC distributions for Candida glabrata from testing 34 different clinical isolates and performing 51 tests on a single isolate mirrored each other. Since what is perceived as biological variation in isolates without resistance mechanisms is mainly methodological variation, breakpoints which divide this distribution not only lack a sound biological basis but also result in poor reproducibility of susceptibility characterization. This makes 2, 4, 8, and possibly 16 microg/ml unsuitable breakpoints for C. glabrata and fluconazole.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Candida / drug effects*
  • Fluconazole / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / methods*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Fluconazole