Comparison of Etest with modified broth microdilution method for testing susceptibility of Aspergillus spp. to voriconazole

J Clin Microbiol. 2003 Nov;41(11):5270-2. doi: 10.1128/JCM.41.11.5270-5272.2003.

Abstract

We compared the Etest with a broth microdilution method, performed according to a modified National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guideline (M38-A), for determining the in vitro susceptibility of 77 isolates of Aspergillus spp. (26 A. fumigatus, 21 A. flavus, 10 A. terreus, 9 A. niger, 5 A. nidulellus, 4 A. glaucus, and 2 A. flavipes isolates). Overall, there was 92.2% agreement between both methods when Etest MICs were read at 24 h and 83.1% agreement when both methods were read at 48 h. When Etest MICs were read at 24 h, the agreement was >90% for all species tested except for A. fumigatus (84.6%). When Etest MICs were read at 48 h, the agreement ranged from 50 to 100%. The poorest agreement was seen with A. glaucus (50%) and A. fumigatus (65%). Where a discrepancy was observed between Etest and the reference method, the Etest MIC was generally higher. The Etest appears to be a suitable alternative procedure for testing the susceptibility of Aspergillus spp. to voriconazole.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Aspergillosis / classification
  • Aspergillosis / microbiology
  • Aspergillus / classification
  • Aspergillus / drug effects*
  • Aspergillus / isolation & purification
  • Aspergillus flavus / drug effects
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / drug effects
  • Aspergillus niger / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / methods*
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology*
  • Triazoles / pharmacology*
  • Voriconazole

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Pyrimidines
  • Triazoles
  • Voriconazole