Clinical relevance of laboratory susceptibility data.
The breakpoints for macrolides proposed by various organisation differ. In vitro studies may not give a true measure of breakpoints as culture conditions are not necessarily analogous to the in vivo situation. The effects of pH, carbon dioxide and culture media can affect the minimum inhibitory concentrations of macrolides; the extent of these effects varies for the different agents. Microbiological efficacy should ideally be proven under clinical conditions, but this is not always feasible. The breakpoints of macrolides should be reviewed taking into account the site of infection.
Perea
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Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital, Apdo 914, E-41080 Seville, Spain.
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D018942:Macrolides; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D018942:Macrolides; D002245:Carbon Dioxide