Susceptibility Test Methods: Anaerobic Bacteria

Infections due to anaerobic bacteria are common and have the capacity to be life threatening. Anaerobic bacterial resistance is increasing globally among many different anaerobes for a wide range of antibiotics. Thus, clinicians and laboratorians can no longer assume susceptibility of anaerobes without performing the testing. Various methods of susceptibility testing are reviewed in this chapter, including the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) agar dilution and broth microdilution methods. Additionally, commercial methods of susceptibility testing for anaerobes are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of each testing method are emphasized. Specific patterns of resistance are covered for Gram-negative and Gram-positive anaerobes. Finally, specific recommendations for antibiotic testing and reporting, including the use of susceptibility antibiograms, are presented.