Comparison of disc diffusion, E-Test and a modified CLSI broth microdilution method for
in vitro
susceptibility testing of itraconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole against
Madurella mycetomatis
For many fungal infections, in vitro susceptibility testing is used to predict if an isolate is resistant or susceptible to the antifungal agent used to treat the fungal infection. For Madurella mycetomatis , the main causative agent of mycetoma, in vitro susceptibility testing currently is not performed on a routine basis. The current in vitro susceptibility testing method is labor intensive and sonication must be done to generate a hyphal inoculum. For endpoint visualization, expensive viability dyes are needed. Here we investigated if the currently used in vitro susceptibility method could be adapted to make it amendable for use in a routine setting which can be used in low income countries, where mycetoma is endemic. First, we developed a methodology in which hyphal fragments can be generated without the need for sonication, by comparing different bead beating methodologies. Next, in vitro susceptibility was assessed using standard broth microdilution assays as well as disc diffusion, E-testing and VIPcheck™ methodologies. We demonstrate that after a hyphal suspension is generated by glass bead beating, disc diffusion, E-testing and VIPcheck™ can be used to determine susceptibility towards itraconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole of Madurella mycetomatis . The MICs found with the E-test were comparable to those obtained with our modified CLSI-based broth microdilution in vitro susceptibility assay for itraconazole and posaconazole. Furthermore, we found an inverse relationship between the zone of inhibition and MIC obtained with E-test and the modified CLSI broth microdilution technique.