Quality in Diagnostic Microbiology: Experiential Note to Emphasize Value of Internal Control Programs
QC 1/2010 was isolated at a count of >108 /liter from mid-stream urine culture of an 81-year-old man with renal failure. All laboratories correctly identified this isolate as Enterococci as well as tested and unanimously reported vancomycin as resistant. However, the results varied a bit in ‘specie’ level identification and in Nitrofurantoin susceptibility []. If antibiotic treatment is required, nitrofurantoin is very much the first option with which to treat VRE in a patient with a urinary tract infection. Therefore, the variation in results indicated obvious difference in effectiveness or quality regarding choice of nitrofurantoin with the strain of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium.