[Detection of expanded-espectrum-betalactamases by DIRAMIC system: comparison with the double-disk synergy test and E-test].

The capacity of the DIRAMIC system to detect strains producing extended-spectrum-betalactamase (ESBL) was evaluated through the comparison with two phenotypic confirmatory tests: double-disk synergy test and E-test. Ninety seven clinical isolates of Escherichia coli y Klebsiella spp. previously characterized; not repeated and suspected of being ESBL producers were studied by the three methods. In comparison with E-test and double-disk synergy test, DIRAMIC system showed a sensitivity of 85.7% and 92.7% as well as specificity of 100% and 92.9%; respectively. The values found have a very high degree of concordance (kappa index > 0.80). The results obtained vouch for the utility of the DIRAMIC as a rapid method to alert about the presence of strains producing ESBL enzymes.