Veterinary Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

BioVenic is dedicated to advancing veterinary science through comprehensive and precise antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) services. Our services support research and development in the veterinary field, providing essential data to guide effective treatment development and provide innovational insight for animal infectious pathogen antimicrobial resistance. Utilizing a range of classical and modern methodologies, we deliver reliable results that empower researchers and pharmaceutical developers.

Fig.1 Methods for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing.¹

Classic Methods

• Dilution
  Dilution methods are fundamental techniques in AST, allowing precise determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antimicrobial agents against various pathogens. We employ the following two primary dilution methods.

  Broth Dilution

  Broth dilution involves diluting antibiotics in a liquid growth medium inoculated with the test organism. It is a gold standard for determining MIC values, offering reproducible and accurate results.

  Agar Dilution

  In agar dilution technique, antibiotics are incorporated into agar plates, which are then inoculated with the test organism. This method is highly effective for large-scale screening and provides clear end points for MIC determination.

• Disk Diffusion Test
  The disk diffusion test is a widely used qualitative method. Antibiotic-impregnated paper disks are placed on an agar plate inoculated with the test organism. After incubation, the zones of inhibition around the disks are measured to determine the susceptibility of the organism. Our disk diffusion test is cost-effective and provides quick results.
• Antimicrobial Gradient Method
  We offer antimicrobial gradient testing services, also known as E-test. It utilizes a strip impregnated with a gradient of antibiotic concentrations. Placing this strip on an inoculated agar plate allows the antibiotic to diffuse, creating an ellipse of inhibition. The MIC is read where the inhibition ellipse intersects the strip. This service combines the simplicity of disk diffusion with the quantitative accuracy of dilution techniques.
• Chromogenic Agar Media
  We offer custom chromogenic agar media development service for more rapid detection and identification of resistant microorganisms. Our custom chromogenic agar media are specialized media that change color in the presence of specific bacteria with specific enzyme systems or resistance mechanisms. These media enable the rapid identification of resistant organisms and can be used as a screening tool in conjunction with other AST methods.
• Colourimetric Test
  BioVenic provides colourimetric tests for phenotypic detection of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. BioVen. The tests are based on bacterial enzyme hydrolysis mechanism, which is indicated by changes in pH values and the color of chromogenic substances. Our service is able to interpret the results easily and rapidly and can be automated for high-throughput screening.

Molecular-Based Methods

Mass Spectrometry

We offer Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) service for rapid antibiotic susceptibility test. MALDI-TOF MS is an advanced technology used for rapid microbial identification and resistance detection. By analyzing specific pathogen protein contents or enzymes and their matching protein biomarkers, MALDI-TOF MS provides quick and accurate identification. This method is highly efficient and can process large numbers of samples, making it ideal for high-throughput testing environments.

Fig.2 Workflow of microbial identification and resistance detection by MALDI-TOF MS.²

Our Advantages

• We tailor our services to meet the specific needs of each client, ensuring that you receive the most relevant and actionable data.
• We have equipped with automated and semi-automated devices on microdilution susceptibility testing to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and throughput.
• Our team consists of highly skilled professionals with extensive experience in veterinary microbiology and antimicrobial resistance.

BioVenic provides comprehensive veterinary antimicrobial susceptibility testing services, which are designed to support your research and development efforts, providing you with the data you need to make informed decisions. To learn more about our veterinary antimicrobial susceptibility testing services or to discuss your specific requirements, please contact us. We look forward to collaborating with you and supporting your efforts to improve veterinary health and combat antimicrobial resistance.

References

1. Gajic, Ina, et al. "Antimicrobial susceptibility testing: a comprehensive review of currently used methods." Antibiotics 11.4 (2022): 427.
2. Hrabák, Jaroslav, Eva Chudáčková, and Radka Walková. "Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry for detection of antibiotic resistance mechanisms: from research to routine diagnosis." Clinical microbiology reviews 26.1 (2013): 103-114.