SACU: Diagnostic Services

General: Advisory and Scientific

• Support for local susceptibility testing
• Advice on performance and interpretation of susceptibility testing
• Information on novel antimicrobials regarding susceptibility testing and interpretation
• Support for local and national projects
• Advice on management of resistant infections
• Advice on quality control for susceptibility testing
• Advice on EUCAST & BSAC methodology & guidelines
• Advice on faecal screening for antimicrobial resistant organisms
• Specific information on any service offered

Reference and Diagnostic Core Services

• Confirmatory susceptibility testing on a number of antimicrobials
• Confirmation of unusual resistances
• Unusual resistances or susceptibilities (Excel, 40KB)
• Confirmation of specific resistance/resistance mechanism:
  • Methicillin resistance in S. aureus
  • Carbapenem resistance including detection of Metallo-Beta-lactamase (MBL)
  • Inhibitor resistance in E. coli & Klebsiella species
  • Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)
  • High-level mupirocin resistance
  • Vancomycin resistance in Enterococci
    • Molecular confirmation of ID
  • Glycopeptide resistance in S. aureus
    • Molecular confirmation of ID
• MLS_B phenotype
• Panton-Valentine Leucocidin detection [Please note that PVL testing will only be performed when sufficient clinical details of risk factors are noted on the request form. See below for the PVL request form]

Additional Testing Following Discussion

The SACU reference services offer the following antimicrobial resistance determination:

• Genotypic confirmation of ß-lactamase

• Phenotypic confirmation of ß-lactamase

• Agar dilution, broth microdilution for MIC confirmation where appropriate

• Combination (Synergy) testing of antimicrobials using Gradient strips or time kill curves will be offered with appropriate discussion

• Outbreak faecal screening for antimicrobial resistant organisms at Cardiff UHW

Turnaround Times & Antimicrobial Resistance Services

The SACU reference services are available from Monday – Friday, 8:30 - 17:00

All turnaround times (in working days) refer to issue of final report, however interim phenotypic results will be available significantly earlier upon request.

Requesting a service from SACU

• Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm
• Standard services can be sent direct to the laboratory with a request form
• Please state if you require results urgently

• For non-standard requests please contact SACU before referring organisms for testing

• For any clinical and technical advice please contact Dr Robin Howe or Dr Mandy Wootton on the numbers below

• Referred isolates should be transported on either agar slopes or transport swabs via Hays DX or post office. All packaging must be Un3373 secure. Local hospital transport services may also be used

The request forms can be downloaded from:

• Specialist Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Unit General Request Form

Feedback

Any suggestions or feedback can be submitted via the form: User Feedback Form for SACU Services