The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in the Enterobacteriaceae, particularly that due to carbapenemases, poses a major healthcare threat.
The high rate of transmissibility of genes conferring resistance justifies the need for rapid identification in order to guide antibiotic therapy and help to prevent or control outbreak situations. The effectiveness of antibiotics, particularly the carbapenems, which are often the drug of ‘last resort’ for critically ill patients, increasingly is threatened by the emergence of these enzymes. The mastdiscs combi and ID products are provided in cartridge format, compatible with Mast’s DiscMaster 4 (MDD64) dispenser, helping to streamline workflow, allowing for integration in the routine laboratory algorithm and complying with EUCAST guidelines on resistance detection. Mast has a long history of working with the pharmaceutical industry, developing new AST products and innovative solutions to aid antibiotic stewardship in an increasingly challenging environment. Further, Mast remains committed to supporting the fight against the threats of microbial resistance by undertaking its own research and development programmes, and providing an extensive range of high-quality in vitro diagnostic products to aid the microbiologist.