Comparison of the MicroScan® Combo Panel Synergies plus with the MicroScan® Conventional Combo Panel for Diagnostic Performance of Gram-negative and Gram-positive Bacteria

Background: To access the clinical usefulness of MicroScanR Synergies plus Combo Panels (Siemens, USA) for the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) and Gram-positive cocci (GPC), we compared MicroScanR Synergies plus Combo Panels with MicroScanR conventional Combo Panels. Methods: One-hundred four isolates of GNB were simultaneously tested with MicroScanR Synergies plus Neg Combo Type 2 Panel (SINC2) and MicroScanR Neg Combo Panel Type 44 (NC44). One-hundred isolates of GPC were simultaneously tested with MicroScanR Synergies plus Pos Combo 3 Panel (SIPC3) and MicroScanR Pos Combo 1A (PC1A). Results: Of the GNB isolates, agreement rate of identification between SINC2 and NC44 were 92.3% to the species level and 93.3% to the genus level. Of the GPC isolates, agreement rate of identification between SIPC3 and PC1A were 85.0% to the species level and 100% to the genus level. Of the GNB isolates, agreement rate of AST according to antimicrobial agents between SINC2 and NC44 ranged from 86.5% to 100%. Among GPC isolates, agreement rate of AST according to antimicrobial agents between SIPC3 and PC1A were higher than 96.0% with the exception of gentamicin and quinupristin-dalfopristin. Conclusion: Compared with MicroScanR conventional Combo Panels (NC44, PC1A), MicroScanR Synergies plus Combo Panels (SINC2, SIPC3) showed high agreement rate of identification and AST, and had the advantage of more rapid reporting. (Korean J Clin Microbiol 2009;12:193-200)