Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing using the AST-POCT
bacteriuria
UTI
The MBS AST-POCT analysis is performed in ready to use disposable vials containing the lyophilized growth medium used for the detection of UTI [For the MBS AST-POCT analysis, urine samples were tested in parallel using antibiotic-free and antibiotic-supplemented vials. Samples (20 μl) were manually injected in the rehydrated vials (final volume 10 ml) and incubated in a dedicated thermostatic optical reader, the MBS multireader, at 37°C for 26 hours. At the end of the analysis, vials were sterilized with sodium dichloroisocyanurate by pressing their cap and then were disposed of as “Non-Hazardous Waste” [The MBS AST-POCT is a colorimetric system that allows a semi-quantitative assessment of viable bacteria concentration. Different from other culture-based methods, it measures the enzymatic activity associated with bacterial metabolism, allowing results to be obtained in short time. Vials change color from blue to yellow in times that are inversely related to the bacterial concentration in the sample.The AST POCT results were obtained by comparing the time taken by the antibiotic-free vial and the antibiotic-supplemented vials to change color. Regarding antibiotic free vials, bacteriuria, i.e. presence of ≥ 10The vials used in the study were provided by MBS Diagnostics ltd (London, UK) and produced by Sclavo Diagnostics spa (Sovicille, SI, Italy) in compliance with requirements set in the IVDD (EU In Vitro Diagnostic Directive) and following the Quality Control System confirmed by ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certifications. Five independent production batches of vials were used throughout the two trials.