Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) is done by the broth microdilution method as described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines (1).

• Neonatal infections

Pure culture isolated from a normally sterile site.

Isolate provided on culture medium.

Send as growth on culture medium (preferred) or on a swab in transport medium.  Chocolate or charcoal media are recommended.  Cultures can be also shipped frozen on dry ice. 

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

For additional guidance on the transport of infectious substances in other languages, please click on the link below.

http://www.who.int/ihr/capacity-strengthening/infectious-substances/en/

Invasive disease due to Group B Streptococcus.

Completed Isolate Submission Requisition for Streptococcus form including contact and lab name, address and telephone number.  Patient age or date of birth, sex, culture reference number, clinical source, date collected and test requested. 

N/A

Based on CLSI Guidelines (1).

30 calendar days*

Outbreak associated or urgent isolates will be granted priority status and completed as soon as possible.

*Turn around times may not be guaranteed when isolates are submitted in large batches.

1. CLSI. Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. 29th ed. CLSI supplement M100. Wayne, PA: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; 2019.

Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Streptococcus agalactiae

Case Definitions for Communicable Diseases under National Surveillance - 2009 - Group B Streptococcal Disease of the Newborn