FUNGIFAST® AFG

Intended use

The frequency of fungal infections and in particular those associated with yeasts have increased considerably over the last ten years. The identification of the species, whether as a single agent or of different types, present in a clinical specimen has become indispensable for determining the correct therapeutic option.

The FUNGIFAST® AFG test allows the determination of antifungal susceptibility of isolated yeasts. It uses a colorimetric broth microdilution method. The FUNGIFAST® AFG test is rapid, easy-to-use, easy-to-read with results obtained within 24 hours and suitable for all clinical laboratories.

Principle

The determination of antifungal susceptibility is based upon the growth or the absence of growth of yeasts in the presence of 5 main dehydrated antifungal agents:

Amphotericin B, Flucytosine, Fluconazole, Itraconazole tested at 2 concentrations
Voriconazole tested at 1 concentration.

The FUNGIFAST® AFG test uses an RPMI modified medium with redox indicator. It is based on serial two-fold dilutions with MIC or breakpoints interpretation.

FUNGIFAST® AFG is easy-to-interpret as the tray includes positive and negative controls and clear-cut endpoint results. Results are obtained within 24 hours incubation for most of the yeasts. Ready-to-use result sheets are included in the kit.

The test is performed using colonies which should be young (up to 24 hours old) and perfectly isolated on an agar medium in a Petri dish. It is recommended that isolation be made on media that are specific for yeasts. The chromogenic CANDICHROM® II medium from ELITech MICROBIO (ref.44211 or 44212) can be used.

The FUNGIFAST® AFG is a convenient test, with individual packaging, ready-to-use reagents, an incubation at 37°C and a simple visual colorimetric method.
FUNGIFAST® AFG is a quality method evaluated by a specialized mycology giving good agreement when compared with the CLSI standard method.

Simple protocol

Easy-to-read and easy-to-interpret results

Results are visualized by a simple spontaneous colorimetric reaction, without instrument or expert interpretation. The results can be expressed as minimal inhibitory concentrations or as clinical categorizations. A detailed table of the critical concentrations commonly used for the interpretation of the antifungal results is included in the instruction leaflet.

Reagents and material

• SUSPENSION FUNGI:
  Vials of buffered agar medium for the dilution and standardization of the inoculum. Quantity: 14
• MES FUNGI:
  Vials of modified RPMI medium with redox indicator for antifungal susceptibility testing. Quantity: 12
• TC FUNGI:
  Vial of barium sulphate solution for turbidity control and inoculums standardization. Quantity: 1
• FUNGIFAST® AFG Tray:
  20 well-tray, allowing the testing of one sample, individually packed in an aluminium sachet. Quantity: 20 trays

Stability and storage
The reagents stored at 2-8 °C in their original state are stable until the expiry date indicated on the box. The reagents are ready-to-use and should be used immediately after opening.
Performance
A comparative study was carried out with reference methods: the EUCAST microdilution method and the E-Test method from AB Biodisk, upon different strains isolated from mycological samples. The percentages of category agreement are given in the list below:

EUCAST

• AB: ND
• 5-FC: 92.9%
• ITZ 69.6%
• FCZ: 73.2%
• VRZ: 92.9%
• %C: 82.2%

EUCAST

• AB: 99%
• 5-FC: 90.9%
• ITZ 79.8%
• FCZ: 84.8%
• VRZ: 97%
• %C: 90.3%

ND: Non Determined %C: % of category agreement With regards to incubation times: 93.3% of the strains gave a result after 24 hours.
Material required but not provided

• Paraffin oil
• Sterile PASTEUR pipettes / 10 μl and 100 μl micropipettes
• Incubator at 37 °C and 30°C (only for Cryptococcus)
• Container for contaminated waste