Resistance surveillance studies--comparability of results and quality assurance of methods.

Abstract

Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance currently has a high profile. One surveillance system with wide representation in Europe is the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS). The paper by Bronzwaer et al.1 describes an external quality assessment (EQA) exercise undertaken as part of the EARSS programme and prompts comment on comparability of susceptibility testing methods and breakpoints and quality assurance of resistance surveillance studies in general.