Colistin Susceptibility Testing of Gram-Negative Bacilli: Better Performance of Vitek2 System than E-Test Compared to Broth Microdilution Method as the Gold Standard Test

Introduction: Unavailability of optimal susceptibility testing (ST) challenges the clinical use of colistin. Broth microdilution (BMD), which is the reference for colistin ST, is inconvenient for diagnostics. Vitek2 and E-test although technically easier, are no longer recommended. Materials and Methods: For the evaluation of Vitek2 and E-test in reference with BMD, a total of 138 Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) especially carbapenem-resistant isolates from Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, India, were included during 2017-2018. The evaluation was performed only for Enterobacteriaceae (n = 102), but not for non-fermentative GNB (n = 36) due to lack of colistin-resistant (COLR) isolates. Results and Conclusion: Of 138 isolates, meropenem, colistin and dual resistance were detected in 110 (79.7%), 31 (22.5%) and 21 (15.2%) of isolates, respectively. Using the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing guidelines (susceptible, <= 2 mu g/ml), Vitek2 performed better than E-test (essential agreement, 92.2% vs. 63.7%; categorical agreement, 94.1% vs. 93.1%; very major error [VME], 10% vs. 23.3%). However, Vitek2 overcalled resistance than E-test (major error, 4.2% vs. 0%). Considering Chew et al. proposed breakpoints (susceptible, <= 1 mu g/ml), VMEs declined for both test (6.7% vs. 10%), but still remained unacceptable. Of eight colistin-heteroresistant isolates, two VME were categorised by Vitek2, one VME was by E-test, and two were uninterpretable. Both Vitek2 and E-test are unreliable. Further studies correlating minimum inhibitory concentrations with clinical outcome are needed to determine the accurate breakpoints for better patient management.