Identification Of Causative Agent Research Articles

Evaluating porewater polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-related toxicity at a contaminated sediment site using a spiked field-sediment approach.

Although the complexity of contaminant mixtures in sediments can confound the identification of causative agents of adverse biological response, understanding the contaminant(s) of primary concern at impacted sites is critical to sound environmental management and remediation. In the present study, a stock mixture of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds was prepared to reflect the variety and relative proportions of PAHs measured in surface sediment samples collected from discrete areas of a historically contaminated industrial estuary. This site-specific PAH stock mixture was spiked into nontoxic in-system and out-of-system field-collected reference sediments in dilution series spanning the range of previously measured total PAH concentrations from the region. Spiked sediments were evaluated in 10-d Leptocheirus plumulosus tests to determine whether toxicity in laboratory-created PAH concentrations was similar to the toxicity found in field-collected samples with equivalent PAH concentrations. The results show that toxicity of contaminated sediments was not explained by PAH exposure, while indicating that toxicity in spiked in-system (fine grain, high total organic carbon [TOC]) and out-of-system (course grain, low TOC) sediments was better explained by porewater PAH concentrations, measured using an antibody-based biosensor that quantified 3- to 5-ring PAHs, than total sediment PAH concentrations. The study demonstrates the application of site-specific spiking experiments to evaluate sediment toxicity at sites with complex mixtures of multiple contaminant classes and the utility of the PAH biosensor for rapid sediment-independent porewater PAH analysis. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:893-902. © 2017 SETAC.

In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility ofCandidaSpecies Isolated from Iranian Patients with Denture Stomatitis

Background Candida-associated denture stomatitis (CADS) is a common fungal infection in people who wear dentures. The main objective of this study was to make molecular identification of causative agents of CADS and in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) in the Iranian patients with denture stomatitis. Methods A total of 134 Candida spp. were obtained from patients with denture stomatitis. The Candida spp. were identified using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) involving the universal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS4) primers, which were subjected to digestion with MspI and BlnI restriction enzymes. The in vitro antifungal susceptibility of Candida spp. to fluconazole (FLC), terbinafine (TRB), itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VRC), posaconazole (POS), ketoconazole (KET), amphotericin B (AMB), and caspofungin (CAS) was evaluated using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M27-A3 and M27-S4 guidelines. Results Overall, C. albicans was the most commonly isolated species (n = 84; 62.6%), followed by C. glabrata (n = 23; 17.2%), C. tropicalis (n = 16; 12%), and C. parapsilosis (n = 11; 8.2%). Posaconazole had the lowest geometric mean minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (0.03 μg/ml), followed by AMB (0.05 μg/ml), ITC (0.08 μg/ml), VRC (0.11 μg/ml), CAS (0.12 μg/ml), KET (0.15 μg/ml), and FLC (0.26 μg/ml). Discussion Our study showed that C. albicans was most prevalent in Iranian patients with CADS and was susceptible to both azoles and amphotericin B. In addition, POS could be an appropriate alternative to the current antifungal agents used for the treatment of CADS, as well as in the treatment of recurrent candidiasis.

STUDY OF CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS GENE EXPRESSION IN CAPSICUM ANNUUM

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a plant pathogenic virus in the genus Cucumovirus, family Bromoviridae. It has the potential and reputation of having the widest host range of any known plant virus including monocotyledons and dicotyledons, herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees. CMV is one of the major diseases in Capsicum annum (chilli). Chilli plant samples exhibiting virus-like disease symptoms were collected from Taman Pertanian Indera Mahkota (location 1) and Greenhouse 12 of Horticulture Research Centre, Serdang (location 2). Viral disease was detected based on symptoms like mosaic-mottling, yellow ringspots and cholorotic that appeared on the leaves. The isolation of total RNA was done by using Vivantis GF-1 total RNA extraction kit. RT-PCR technique was used to detect the presence of virus disease symptoms gene in chillies. Identification of causal agents was based on cDNA amplified product size, using virus-specific oligonucleotides. Actin was used as the internal PCR control. The product size of the DNA fragment was 315 bp. From RT-PCR, the expression of CMV can be detected in chilli plants that exhibited the virus-like disease symptoms. This research revealed that some of the chilli plants at the Taman Pertanian Indera Mahkota and Greenhouse 12 of Horticulture Research Centre have been affected by this viral disease.

Sequence Base Identification of Respiratory Mucormycosis

Background: Mucormycosis is an uncommon fungal infection in immunocompromised patients during the past decades. Identification of causative agents could play an important role in the management of infected patients. Objectives: The aim of the present study was the identification of etiologic agents of respiratory tract mucormycosis, based on sequencing methods. Methods: Sinus tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage, and blood samples from the patients with suspected invasive fungal diseases were collected. Sinus tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage were examined by microscopic examination and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Blood samples were cultured on BACTEC medium. Semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of mucormycosis was performed on samples, and products of positive PCR were sequenced and manually viewed with Chromas version 2.24 software. Pathology reports were collected from patients’ files. Results: Direct microscopic examinations, culture, and semi-nested PCR were positive in 11.7% (19/163), 6.7% (11/163), and 10.4% (17/163) of patients, respectively. None of the blood cultures were positive for Mucorales. The etiologic agents were Rhizopus oryzae (10 cases), R. microsporus (5 cases), and new species (2 cases). This new sequence (645 bp) was published in Gene bank and European Nucleotide archive of EMBL-EBI, and demonstrated 98% identity with Lichtheimia (Absidia) corymbifera genus. Conclusions: Management of mucormycosis has an important role in the treatment and outcome of such infections. Molecular assay and DNA sequencing could be used in parallel with conventional mycology techniques to identify Mucorales and for best management of respective infections.

Identification of fungal causative agents of rhinosinusitis from Mashhad, Iran.

Background and Purpose:Rhinosinusitis is a common disorder, influencing approximately 20% of the population at some time of their lives. It was recognized and reported with expanding recurrence over the past two decades worldwide. Undoubtedly, correct diagnosis of fungi in patients with fungal rhinosinusitis affects the treatment planning and prognosis of the patients. Identification of the causative agents using the standard mycological procedures remains difficult and time-consuming.Materials and Methods:Based on clinical and radiological parameters, 106 patients suspected of fungal rhinosinusitis were investigated in this cross-sectional prospective study from April 2012 to March 2016 at an otorhinolaryngology department. In this study, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and calmodulin (CaM) sequencing were respectively validated as reliable techniques for the identification of Mucorales and Aspergillus to species level (both agents of fungal rhinosinusitis).Results:Of these, 63 (59.4%) patients were suspected of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS), 40 (37.7%) patients suspected of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS), and 3 (2.8%) patients suspected of mycetoma. In patients suspected of AFRS, AIFRS, and mycetoma only 7, 29, and 1 had positive fungal culture, respectively. After ITS and CaM sequencing, Aspergillus flavus was the most common species isolated from non-invasive forms, and A. flavus and Rhizopus oryzae were more frequently isolated from invasive forms.Conclusion: A spergillus flavus is the most common agent of fungal rhinosinusitis in Iran, unlike most other reports from throughout the world stating that A. fumigatus is the most frequent causative agent of this disease.

Identification of Causative Agent for Fungal Infection and Effect of Disinfectants on Hatching and Survival Rate of Bata (Labeo. Bata) Larvae

Identification of Causative Agent for Fungal Infection and Effect of Disinfectants on Hatching and Survival Rate of Bata (Labeo. Bata) Larvae

An Electrochemical Biosensor for Rapid Detection of Pediatric Bloodstream Infections.

Bloodstream infections are major contributing factors of morbidity and mortality among children. Precise and timely identification of causative agents can improve the clinical management and outcome of the infection, potentially saving lives. Electrochemical biosensors previously described by Gao et al. (2017) have the potential to deliver greater speed and discrimination. However, to date there are no data that determine whether the age of the host would cause bacteria to demonstrate different growth characteristics, or whether pediatric samples would behave differently using this electrochemical biosensor. The importance of this knowledge gap is clear: the preclinical testing phase of this line of research is limited by the relative lack of pediatric healthy blood volunteers to complete this work. Therefore, in this study we have applied this novel technology to diagnose bacteria spiked into pediatric blood and compared directly with adult blood samples. Only 180 µL of blood was utilized from both adult and pediatric volunteers and inoculated with Escherichia coli 67, and the signals generated at different time points were compared. We were able to demonstrate that the signals generated by adult and pediatric blood were not significantly different with this detection technology.

Beginning of a journey: unraveling the mystery of chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka

BackgroundGlobally, chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) is observed in several areas and among specific ethnic or occupational groups. Given the widespread environmental pollution and the proportions of agriculture workers world-wide, CKDu may be the next global public health issue demanding attention. Recent escalation of CKDu in Sri Lanka has caused a serious public health crisis in the country, made worse by lack of national data.Main textThe specific geographic distribution, preponderance among farming population, similar histology findings and absence of usual risk factors for kidney disease indicate undetected nephrotoxic agents playing a role in causation. Some of the challenges for the country are uncoordinated preventive efforts, diverse opinions among stakeholders on causality and fragmented research efforts with limited focus on potential causes of CKDu. As a result, accurate estimation of the CKDu burden, identification of causative agents and implementation of effective actions have been delayed. Stakeholder engagement, with involvement of international experts has been the starting point for finalizing a working case definition to establish community based surveillance as a future platform to conduct long-term research.ConclusionThe country is now poised to contribute to global knowledge by solving the mystery of ‘u’ in CKDu. This commentary highlights the importance and the mechanisms of making an effective breakthrough as early as possible; failing which CKDu can progress rapidly as demonstrated by the situation in Sri Lanka.

The Development of Immunoenzyme Monoclonal Test Systems for Detection of Tularemia, Glanders, Melioidosis and Anthrax Agents

The identification of causative agents of dangerous infectious diseases of bacterial origin is one of the main tasks of the biological protection of troops and the civilian population of the Russian Federation. This article is dedicated to the problem of the development of immunoenzyme monoclonal test system for detection of tularemia, glanders, melioidosis and anthrax agents. In order to achieve the above-mentioned goal, the hybridomas-producers of monoclonal antibodies to antigenic determinants of pathogens of tularemia, glanders, melioidosis and anthrax have been prepared. The pairs of monoclonal antibodies, the application of which in the composition of sensitin and immunoperoxidase conjugate provide maximum sensivity and specificity of enzyme immunoassay test, have been selected and the immunoenzyme monoclonal test systems for detection of tularemia, glanders, melioidosis and anthrax agents have been developed based on the above mentioned monoclonal antibodies. These developed test-systems can help to identify the pathogens of dangerous infectious diseases in microbial cultures, in probes taken from sick and dead people and animals and from environmental probes.

PCR Primer Design for In-Silico Rapid Detection of Ocular Infection Caused by Candida Species in Humans

Background: Computational analyses have shown great potentials for providing tools for the rapid detection and identifi cation of fungi for medical, scientifi c and commercial purposes. Various bioinformatics tools have been developed for fi nding the specifi c regions within the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene complex. Candida is a genus of yeast that includes about 150 different species and is the most common cause of human ocular infections. In the present study, rapid detection method of Candida, based on specifi c regions (18S, 5.8S and 28S) of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes of eight (8) species e.g. C. albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. guilliermondii, C. kefyr, C. lusitaniae and C. tropicalis has been developed. Rapid diagnosis and early identifi cation of causative agent through computational based methods with high accuracy will result in effective treatment.

DIAGNOSTIC POTENTIAL OF THE ERYTHROCYTIC IMMUNOGLOBULIN DIAGNOSTICUM FOR INDICATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE CAUSATIVE AGENTS OF PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS (DEEP) MYCOSES

Objective of the study was to assess analytical and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the “Reagent kit. Erythrocytic coccidioidomycosal and histoplasmosal immunoglobulin dry diagnosticum”, designed for identification of causative agents of coccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis in isolated cultures of micromycetes, as well as in clinical and biological samples using indirect hemagglutination test. Materials and methods . The investigation included 264 positive samples (216 samples of micromycete suspensions, 48 samples of biological and clinical material) containing pathogens of histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis concentrated up to 3,12·10 6 and 1,56·10 6 cells/ml, respectively, and 128 negative samples containing heterologous microorganisms in concentrations equal to 5·10 6 cells/ml. The study was carried out using biological samples that were artificially contaminated with stated pathogens of particularly dangerous mycoses and samples, obtained from bioassay animals with experimental infection. Results and conclusions . It is established that diagnostic sensitivity of the reagent kit is not less than 99,0 %. The diagnostic specificity is not less than 98,0 %. Reproducibility of the results in all cases was 100 %. The results obtained testify to the prospect of introduction of the developed kit into the health care practice.

Why Is The Identification of Causative Agent of Nocardiosis Essential at The Species Level?

Why Is The Identification of Causative Agent of Nocardiosis Essential at The Species Level?

Otomycosis in a Rural Community Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital: Assessment of Risk Factors and Identification of Fungal and Bacterial Agents.

Otomycosis is one of the frequently encountered fungal infections of external auditory canal, commonly seen in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Various host (local, systemic) and environmental factors can predispose a person to otomycosis. Although clinical presentations along with otoscopic findings of the patients are well suggestive of fungal infection, proper identification of causative agents is mandatory in order to prevent recurrences and complications. To define the aetiology of clinically diagnosed otomycosis in rural population, to derive association of risk factors with otomycosis, to isolate and identify fungal and bacterial agents and to analyze the association between them. A prospective study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology and Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), SGT hospital over eight months period. A total of 350 consecutive patients of more than five years of age with clinical diagnosis of otomycosis were included in the study. Demographic profile, predisposing factors, presenting complaints and clinical findings of clinically diagnosed patients were evaluated and analyzed. Samples were collected, transported and evaluated by both direct examination and culture method for bacteriological and mycological examination. Male to female ratio in study participants was 1.3:1. Mycological examination yielded 346 fungal isolates in 310 samples from a total of 350 clinically diagnosed cases of otomycosis. Self cleaning, instillation of mustard oil and use of ear drops appeared to be common predisposing factors in otomycosis. Significant association was observed between these practices and otomycosis. Aspergillus species was the predominant fungi followed by Candida spp., Penicillium, Mucor and Trichophyton mentagrophyte. 11% of the cases were found to have mixed fungal and bacterial infections. The present study highlights the highest isolation of Aspergillus complex in cases of clinically diagnosed otomycosis in a rural community with higher practice of self cleaning and using home remedies and eardrops to get relief from sensation of blocked ear and itching.

Post Operative Discitis- A Review of 10 Patients in A Tertiary Care Neurosurgical Unit.

Background: Postoperative discitis is an uncommon complication of spine surgery with estimated incidence rate usually less than 1% 1 . It is defined as primary infection of nucleus pulposus with secondary involvement of cartilaginous end plates and adjacent vertebral bodies following lumbar disc surgeries 2 . Early diagnosis based on clinical, laboratory, imageological findings and identification of causative agent and appropriate management of discitis is essential to reduce morbidity. The aim of this study was to identify the associated risk factors, most common level of discitis and outcome of conservative management in cases of post operative discitis of single level discectomy. Materials & Methods:The study was carried out retrospectively over a period of 6 months from Jan 2014 to Dec 2015. Total 192 cases were operated electively for single level lumbar spine disorders. Post op discitis was established by clinical, laboratory & radiological findings. Results: During the study period 192 single level discectomies were performed. Out of 192 patients 10 patients(5.2%) were suffered from discitis. The mean age of patients of postop discitis was 44 years with 4 women and 6 men. Among these 10 patients 3 were diabetic under good glycemic control. Most common clinical presentation is moderate to severe low backache. Out of 10 patients 7patients corresponds to L4/L5 level. After 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy (3 weeks i.v.+3 weeks oral) with complete bed rest all patients were improved symptomatically. After 6 months of follow up all patients were able to carry on their daily activities. Conclusions: Post operative discitis is an uncommon but serious complication of disc surgeries. Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy along with immobilisation is essential in the management.

An electrochemical genosensor for Leishmania major detection based on dual effect of immobilization and electrocatalysis of cobalt-zinc ferrite quantum dots

Identification of Leishmania parasites is important in diagnosis and clinical studies of leishmaniasis. Although epidemiological and clinical methods are available, they are not sufficient for identification of causative agents of leishmaniasis. In the present study, quantum dots of magnetic cobalt-zinc ferrite (Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical methods. The quantum dots were then employed as an electrode modifier to immobilize a 24-mer specific single stranded DNA probe, and fabrication of a label-free, PCR-free and signal-on electrochemical genosensor for the detection of Leishmania major. Hybridization of the complementary single stranded DNA sequence with the probe under the selected conditions was explored using methylene blue as a redox marker, utilizing the electrocatalytic effect of the quantum dots on the methylene blue electroreduction process. The genosensor could detect a synthetic single stranded DNA target in a range of 1.0×10−11 to 1.0×10−18molL−1 with a limit of detection of 2.0×10−19molL−1, and genomic DNA in a range of 7.31×10−14 to 7.31×10−6ngμL−1 with a limit of detection of 1.80×10−14ngμL−1 with a high selectivity and sensitivity.

Clinical, hormonal, biochemical and genetic characteristics of 75 patients with hypophosphatemic rickets

Aim — the present research was aimed at identifying the genetic causes for hr in patients, as well as evaluating the clinical, hormonal and biochemical characteristics of the disease in this group of patients.Material and methods. 75 patients (aged, of 3 months to 57 years; females, n=38; males, n=37) with clinical and radiological findings of rickets, low serum phosphate and low tubular reabsorption of phosphate were included. ‘rickets panel’ genes were sequenced using a custom Ion Ampliseq gene panel and PGM semiconductor sequencer (Ion Torrent). The panel included primers for multiplex amplification of 22 genes associated with genetic calcium metabolism dysfunctions. Bioinformatic analysis was performed using torrent suite (Ion Torrent) and ANNOVAR software packages.Results. Out of the 75 patients 36 were diagnosed with familial form of hr, and 39 probands had sporadic cases. Out clinical characteristics the most widespread symptoms of the disease included: lower limbs malformations since the patients started to walk (94.5%), hypotonia in the first 12 months of life (70.2%), multiple caries (58%). Mutations were identified in 100% of familial and 88,5% of sporadic cases. In 68 probands (90,5%) mutations were detected in PHEX, 40 of which were novel. For familial forms of the disease mutations were discovered in 100% cases, for sporadic — in 82% cases. One subject had both DMP1 and PHEX mutations. No mutations were detected in FGF23, SLC34A1, SLC34A3, SLC9A3R1, ENPP1, CLClCN5 and SLC2A2 genes.Conclusion. The study confirmed predominance of PHEX mutations among the patients with HR. The identification of causative agent is very important for antenatal diagnostics for familial forms of disease and enables well-timed conservative treatment.

Identification of causative agent for fungal infection and effect of disinfectants on hatching and survival rate of common carp (C. carpio) larvae

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is one of the commercially important and commonly cultured fish. In the hatchery intensive incubation leads to microbial overgrowth in C. carpio eggs that hamper egg development, hatchability and larval survivability. The aim of this study is to find out causes of mass mortality in C. carpio eggs during peak- breeding season between March to May 2015 at Mafatema fish hatchery, Chanchra, Jessore sadar upazilla. In the present study three disinfectants with three different concentrations in each such as methylene blue 1, 3 and 5mg/L., malachite green 1, 3 and 5mg/L., sodium chloride 1, 2 and 3g/L were used to observe the hatching rate of fertilized eggs and survival rate of larvae. Bacterial load of culture water was examined during the induced breeding of C. carpio with mycological examination of egg samples with different disinfectants. The total bacterial count fluctuated from 3.4 x 108 CFU/ml to 32.7 x 108 CFU/ml during the period of fertilization to 4days of hatching. The fertilized eggs infected by Saprolegnia spp. were appeared as tuft hairy like balls with a white cottony envelop. Among all the treatment 1mg/L methylene blue, 3mg/L malachite green and 1g/L sodium chloride showed significantly better (P<0.05) hatching rate 95·33±2·08, 88.00±2.64 and 92.33±4.04% respectively. The same concentration of methylene blue, malachite green and sodium chloride showed significantly better (P<0.05) better survival rate 95·00±4.35, 75.00±3.00 and 87.00±6.24% respectively. Finally among all the treatment 1mg/L of methylene blue showed significantly better (P<0.05) hatching and survival rate 95·33±2·08% and 95·00±4.35 % respectively. So 1mg/L of methylene blue is the best disinfectant for C. carpio fertilized egg treatment.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2015, 1(3): 578-588

The first cases of human bacteremia caused by Acinetobacter seifertii in Japan

Acinetobacter seifertii, a novel species of Acinetobacter, was first reported in 2015. A.seifertii strains were isolated from human clinical specimens (blood, respiratory tract, and ulcer) and hospital environments. Here, we report the first cases of bacteremia caused by A.seifertii in patients with catheter-related bloodstream infection in Japan. The patients favorably recovered, without any complications, after removal of the peripheral intravenous catheters and administration of antibiotics. The pathogens were initially identified as Acinetobacter baumannii, using phenotypic methods and the MicroScan Walkaway System; however, rpoB gene sequence analysis indicated 99.54% similarity to A.seifertii. Moreover, antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that one of the strains was not susceptible to gentamicin and ceftazidime. Our report shows that Acinetobacter species other than A.baumannii can also cause nosocomial infections and that accurate methods for the identification of causative agents should be developed.

Impact of temperature and humidity on the prevalence of diseases in captiveThryonomys swinderianus(Grasscutter) colony in the University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

A study was carried out to determine the prevalence of diseases in a captive breeding colony of grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) of various age groups and in different seasons from February, 2012 to June, 2014. The Grasscutters were maintained in the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana. The diseases were diagnosed based on clinical history, clinical signs, and symptoms prior to death, lesions observed after postmortem examination of dead animals and isolation and identification of causal agents. A total of 29 dead and sick animals were examined from inside and outside of the campus. Among the diseases, wound infection was found to be the most fatal and constituted 44% of total deaths followed by deathin cages due to acute congestion of lungs, which constituted 33% of total deaths. Enterobacter cloacae was found to be the main causal agent of deaths in the cages. Of the dead in cages, 50% were males, of which 10% were lethargic and unable to move before death and 5% had malocclusion. Among the females found dead in the cages, 5% were pregnant. In general, the highest number of deaths was recorded from January to April and then decreased from May-August. There were no deaths in September. However, there was steady increase from October to December. The results indicated that there was a significant relationship between the deaths of Grasscutter with the ambient temperature and less efficient thermoregulatory mechanisms in the Grasscutter that that triggers deaths and injury in these animals.

The Importance of the Early and Appropriate Treatment of Anaerobic Bacteremia Patients.

In the last decades, antibiotic resistance among anaerobes has increased and resistance patterns vary depending on hospitals and regions [1]. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommends susceptibility tests for anaerobic organisms isolated from cases of serious infections such as bacteremia, brain abscesses, and endocarditis [2]. However, currently in Korea, even susceptibility tests for anaerobic organisms isolated from blood are not routinely performed in most laboratories because the clinical significance of inappropriate antimicrobial treatment for anaerobic bacteremia (AB) has not been adequately elucidated and convenient routine test methods for anaerobes are limited. Kim et al. investigated the impact of inappropriate therapy on the mortality of AB [3]. They defined inappropriate therapy as a delay in starting antimicrobials even after objective data confirmed an infection or the use of an antimicrobial agent to which the pathogen was known to be resistant according to susceptibility test results [3]. They reported that the incidence of AB in 2012 was low (2.3%), but the mortality rate among AB patients was as high as 21.4% and it was significantly higher in patients who received inappropriate therapy (hazard ratio, 5.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.7–16.9; P = 0.004) [3]. There have been studies on risk factors associated with mortality due to AB, but recent reports on the impact of inappropriate therapy on the mortality of AB patients, based on bacterial susceptibilities are limited. One recent report indicated that malignancy and susceptibility to clindamycin could be used to identify AB patients at a higher risk of 30-day mortality [4]. There is an old prospective study about the adverse clinical outcomes associated with the treatment of Bacteroides bacteremia with an antibiotic that the organism is not susceptible to, using three endpoints (30-day mortality, cure versus failure, and eradication versus persistence) [5]. In the study by Kim et al, the most frequently isolated organisms were Bacteroides spp. (50/70) [3], which are well known for their high virulence and unpredictable resistance. Recently a study that monitored antimicrobial susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria in Korea reported that the resistance rates of B. fragilis to piperacillin (48%), cefotetan (20%), clindamycin (52%), moxifloxacin (12%), and tigecycline (17%) were considerable, whereas cefoxitin, piperacillin-tazobactam, imipenem, and meropenem, which are generally recommended in suspect of systemic infections, were highly suceptible to B. fragilis [6]. Until now, laboratory resources and efforts have been focused on the early detection and correct identification of the causative agents of AB, but considering its impact on mortality, at least routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing of anaerobic organisms isolated from blood is necessary for the appropriate treatment of AB [3]. The agar dilution technique which uses supplemented Brucella agar and the broth microdilution which uses supplemented Brucella broth for Bacteroides and Parabacteroides spp. are approved susceptibility testing methods for anaerobes that can be used for the periodic monitoring of regional and institutional resistance trends and for guiding empirical antimicrobial therapy of anaerobic infections [7]. For routine tests, E-tests or microdilution (in house method) can be used, but the commercial kits such as Sensititre Anaerobe MIC Plate (Trek Diagnostics, Cleveland, OH, USA) are unavailable at the present time [8]. In conclusion, early and appropriate management is important for survival of AB patients. In addition to early detection and correct identification of causative agents, efficient susceptibility testing methods for anaerobes should be introduced and developed for better clinical outcomes.