Protocol for the accelerated detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains from blood cultures

The study presented here was performed to evaluate an accelerated protocol for the early detection of organisms producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). The procedure involved testing isolates directly from positive blood-culture bottles, and a total of 40 clinical isolates (10 ESBL-producing and 10 non-ESBL-producing isolates of both Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) were used. The isolates were inoculated into blood cultures bottles and, upon growth signal, fluid from the bottle was cultured directly onto plates with combination discs containing cefotaxime or ceftazidime with and without clavulanate. Results were compared with those of standard methods for the detection of ESBL. High concordance between the two methods was found, and the direct test showed high sensitivity (95%) and specificity (100%). Use of this accelerated protocol may speed detection of the ESBL phenotype and thereby facilitate the early administration of appropriate antimicrobial therapy.