2013 Interpretive Criteria for Neisseria gonorrhoeae Susceptibility Testing

The following are zone diameter interpretive standards and equivalent minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) breakpoints* for Neisseria gonorrhoeae according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing; Twenty-Third Informational Supplement, January 2013, M100-S23 Vol 33 No 1:

*At this time, no interpretive criteria exists for Azithromycin and Levofloxacin

Interpretive Criteria
Penicillins Zone Diameter
(nearest whole mm)
Equivalent MIC Breakpoints
(µg/mL)
R I S R S
Penicillin <=26 27-46 >=47 >=2 <=0.06

 

Interpretive Criteria
Cephems (Parenteral) Zone Diameter
(nearest whole mm)
Equivalent MIC Breakpoints
(µg/mL)
R I S R S
Cefotaxime >=31 <=0.5
Ceftizoxime >=38 <=0.5
Ceftriaxone >=35 <=0.25
Cefmetazole <=27 28-32 >=33 >=8 <=2
Cefotetan <=19 20-25 >=26 >=8 <=2
Cefoxitin <=23 24-27 >=28 >=8 <=2
Cefuroxime sodium (parenteral) <=25 26-30 >=31 >=4 <=1
Cefepime >=31 <=0.5
Ceftazidime >=31 <=0.5

 

Interpretive Criteria
Cephems (Oral) Zone Diameter
(nearest whole mm)
Equivalent MIC Breakpoints
(µg/mL)
R I S R S
Cefixime >=31 <=0.25
Cefpodoxime >=29 <=0.5
Cefetamet >=29 <=0.5

 

Interpretive Criteria
Tetracyclines Zone Diameter
(nearest whole mm)
Equivalent MIC Breakpoints
(µg/mL)
R I S R S
Tetracycline <=30 31-37 >=38 >=2 <=0.25

 

Interpretive Criteria
Fluoroquinolones Zone Diameter
(nearest whole mm)
Equivalent MIC Breakpoints
(µg/mL)
R I S R S
Ciprofloxacin <=27 28-40 >=41 >=1 <=0.06
Gatifloxacin <=33 34-37 >=38 >=0.5 <=0.12
Ofloxacin <=24 25-30 >=31 >=2 <=0.25
Enoxacin <=31 32-35 >=36 >=2 <=0.5
Grepafloxacin <=27 28-36 >=37 >=1 <=0.06
Lomefloxacin <=26 27-37 >=38 >=2 <=0.12
Trovafloxacin >=34 <=0.25
Fleroxacin <=28 29-34 >=35 >=1 <=0.25

 

Interpretive Criteria
Aminocyclitols Zone Diameter
(nearest whole mm)
Equivalent MIC Breakpoints
(µg/mL)
R I S R S
Spectinomycin <=14 15-17 >=18 >=128 <=32