The rapid Nitrocef test consists of a paper match-stick that is impregnated with the Nitrocefin reagent, which is a chromogenic cephalosporin. This rapid test can yield clinically relevant information earlier than an MIC test. A positive ß-lactamase test can predict resistance to such antibiotics as penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, and other ß-lactamase containing drugs for the following organisms:

• Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• Haemophilus spp.
• Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis
• Staphylococcus spp.
• Enterococcus spp.
• Anaerobes (such as some species of Bacteroides, Porphyromonas, Clostridium, Fusobacterium, Prevotella)

The rapid Nitrocef MatchBook™ can be used for all of the above organisms with results in 5 minutes or less, with the exception of some Staphylococcus spp. that may take up to one hour. The ß-lactamase test is preferred to disk diffusion and agar dilution for the detection of plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase resistance in gonococci. Now contains a larger reaction pad.