Accuracy and reliability of direct disc diffusion antibiotic susceptibility test from flagged-positive of blood culture.

Introduction: Antibiotic susceptibility tests (AST) done on blood cultures are critical for the treatment of patients suspected to be suffering from bloodstream infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of disc diffusion AST conducted directly (direct AST) from flagged-positive blood cultures, especially for Gram-positive cocci bacteria.

Methodology: This study compared direct AST with conventional AST (broth micro-dilution).