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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, November 2009, p. 3435-3438, Vol. 47, No. 11
0095-1137/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.01182-09
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

EuroCareCF Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Microbiology of Cystic Fibrosis Isolates{triangledown}

Michael Hogardt,1 Jutta Ulrich,2 Helga Riehn-Kopp,3 and Burkhard Tümmler3*

Max von Pettenkofer Institut für Hygiene und Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Marchioninistraße 17, Munich D-81377, Germany,1 Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Krankenhaushygiene, OE 5210,2 Klinische Forschergruppe, Klinik für Pädiatrische Pneumologie und Neonatologie, OE 6710, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Hannover D-30625, Germany3

Received 16 June 2009/ Returned for modification 6 August 2009/ Accepted 28 August 2009

The identification of microbial species from respiratory specimens and their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents are among the most important diagnostic measures of care for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Under the umbrella of EuroCareCF, two quality assurance trials of CF microbiology were performed in 2007 and 2008. Nine formulations with CF bacterial isolates were dispatched. A total of 31/37 laboratories from 18/21 European countries participated in the 2007 and 2008 trials. The common CF pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were correctly identified by almost all participants in both trials, even if the strains presented uncommon phenotypes. Burkholderia cenocepacia IIIB and Burkholderia vietnamensis CF isolates, however, were correctly assigned to the species level by only 26% and 27% of the laboratories, respectively. Emerging pathogens such as Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Inquilinus limosus, and Pandoraea pnomenusa were also not detected or were misclassified by many laboratories. One participant correctly identified all CF isolates in both trials. The percentages of correct classifications (susceptible, intermediate, resistant) by antimicrobial susceptibility testing ranged from 55 to 100% (median, 96%) per isolate and drug. The shortcomings in the diagnostics of rare and emerging pathogens point to the need for continuing education in CF microbiology and suggest the establishment of CF microbiology reference laboratories.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Klinische Forschergruppe, Klinik für Pädiatrische Pneumologie und Neonatologie, OE 6710, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Hannover D-30625, Germany. Phone: 49-511-5322920. Fax: 49-511-5326723. E-mail: tuemmler.burkhard{at}mh-hannover.de

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 9 September 2009.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, November 2009, p. 3435-3438, Vol. 47, No. 11
0095-1137/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.01182-09
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.





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