Pioneering Method Streamlines Colistin Testing for Multi-Drug Resistant Infections
Doctors at BJ Medical College in Pune have developed a faster and more accurate method to test the susceptibility of colistin, a critical antibiotic for treating multi-drug resistant infections. The new method, colistin broth disk elution (CBDE), offers significant advantages over the traditional broth microdilution (BMD) method.
ColistinAntibioticMdr InfectionsCbdeBmdReal Estate PuneOct 04, 2025
The importance of colistin in treating MDR infections cannot be overstated. However, before administering colistin, which is highly nephrotoxic (damaging to the kidneys), it is crucial for doctors to confirm its effectiveness against the specific MDR infection to prevent adverse outcomes. Until now, broth microdilution (BMD) has been the gold standard for testing colistin susceptibility. However, BMD is a labor-intensive method and not practical for routine use in many laboratories.
Rajesh Karyakarte, the head of the microbiology department at BJ Medical College (BJMC) and the corresponding author for the study, explained the significance of the new method. “The new method, colistin broth disk elution (CBDE), showed high categorical agreement with BMD and low error rates, making it a viable alternative. Given its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and reproducibility, CBDE can support antimicrobial stewardship efforts in resource-limited settings,” he said.
The study has led to an innovative method of testing the susceptibility of colistin in high-risk patients admitted to the ICU for serious infectious diseases. Despite its high neurotoxicity, colistin often becomes the only option in many cases for intensivists attending to patients. The CBDE method will help understand the susceptibility of the drug without the need for dilution, saving up to an hour per patient—a crucial factor in government hospitals—while also conserving manpower. The test results are more accurate than the BMD method, aiding better decision-making in patient treatment.
Karyakarte further elaborated, “The research paper titled ‘Comparison of Broth Disk Elution and Broth Microdilution Methods for Colistin Susceptibility Testing in Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa’ was published in Cureus, a peer-reviewed journal, on September 8. The paper has been sent to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for further consideration. The new method needs more validation, and only then can a policy decision be made to replace BMD with the CBDE method to test colistin susceptibility.”
This development is particularly significant in the context of healthcare in resource-limited settings, where rapid and accurate testing methods are essential to combat the growing threat of multi-drug resistant infections. The CBDE method has the potential to revolutionize the way colistin susceptibility is tested, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and more efficient use of medical resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is colistin and why is it important?
Colistin is a ‘last resort’ antibiotic used to treat multi-drug resistant (MDR) infections. It is particularly important because it often becomes the only option when other antibiotics fail.
What is the traditional method for testing colistin susceptibility?
The traditional method for testing colistin susceptibility is broth microdilution (BMD), which is considered the gold standard but is labor-intensive and not practical for routine use in many laboratories.
What is the new method developed by doctors at BJ Medical College?
The new method is called colistin broth disk elution (CBDE). It is faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective than BMD, making it a viable alternative for testing colistin susceptibility.
How does the CBDE method work?
The CBDE method involves using a disk containing colistin and placing it in a broth medium with the bacteria. The results are more accurate and can be obtained faster, without the need for dilution.
What are the potential benefits of using the CBDE method?
The CBDE method saves time, conserves manpower, and provides more accurate results compared to BMD. It is particularly useful in resource-limited settings and can help in better decision-making for patient treatment.
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