EUCAST Highlights - August 2012

• Breakpoints:

EUCAST breakpoints have been set for ceftaroline, one of few cephalosporines with activity against MRSA. Two other new agents are currently being assessed. Epidemiological Cutoff Values/breakpoints for Campylobacter spp., for Pasteurella multocida and for topical agents are currently going through the EUCAST consultation process and anyone interested in commenting should keep an eye at the EUCAST website.
The Antifungal Susceptibility Testing Subcommittee has published breakpoints for voriconazole with Aspergillus spp.
 

• Methods:

A French translation of EUCAST disk diffusion guidance documents has now been added to the English, German and Spanish versions.
A subcommittee has started work on development of a guidance document on detection of resistance mechanisms of clinical and/or epidemiological importance.
 

• Implementation of EUCAST breakpoints and methods:

There is a steady increase in the number of laboratories using EUCAST breakpoint and/or methods as judged by reports from national representatives on the EUCAST General Committee, and from External Quality Assurance programmes run by UK NEQAS and EARSNet
Revised tables showing compliance of manufacturers with EUCAST breakpoints and guidelines are now on the EUCAST website.

Source: www.eucast.org