Prevalence and significance of a negative extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) confirmation test result after a positive ESBL screening test result for isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae: results from the SENTRY Asia-Pacific Surveillance Program.

A negative extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) confirmation test result obtained after a positive ESBL screening test result using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute methods has been a common occurrence among isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program in the Asia-Pacific region. Among isolates collected between 1998 and 2004 this screen-positive, nonconfirmed profile (failed to show clavulanate synergy) was observed in 8.9% of 4,515 E.