Cefotaxime+Clavulanate
This test helps determine whether your bacteria are resistant or sensitive to the antibiotics ceftazidime and clavulanate, often used together to treat infections like pneumonia or urinary tract infections.
Your doctor uses this to guide treatment choices and monitor infection response.
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 101480-2
- Short code
- CTX-CLAV
- Synonyms
- Cefotaxime+Clav Bld Pos MIC.VOC det
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Positive blood culture bottle (aerobic or anaerobic) flagged positive by continuous-monitoring blood culture system (e.g., BACTEC, BacT/ALERT)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- mic-voc-detection
- CPT
- 87186
- SNOMED
- 104381008
- Specimen volume
- Positive blood culture broth; aliquot of 0.5-1 mL transferred to AST card/vial for testing
- Stability
- Process positive blood culture as soon as possible (within 8 hours of positivity flag); refrigerate at 2-8°C if immediate processing is not feasible. Inoculated AST cards: per manufacturer instructions (typically processed within 24 hours)
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 8–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What This Test Measures
The test includes two main parts: measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ceftazidime and clavulanate against your bacterial culture, and microscopic examination of the culture for specific virulence factors (e.g., biofilm production). This helps identify if bacteria are susceptible to the antibiotics and if additional factors may influence treatment.
Why It Matters in Treatment
The MIC results tell your healthcare provider how much antibiotic is needed to stop bacterial growth. Low MIC values suggest sensitivity, while higher values indicate resistance. Microscopic observation helps assess if the bacteria produce harmful substances that could complicate treatment.
Sample Collection and Preparation
A blood sample is collected to grow bacteria in a lab. The lab then tests the bacteria’s response to ceftazidime and clavulanate, along with microscopic checks for virulence markers.
What to Expect After Testing
Results typically take several days to a week. Your doctor will review them with you to adjust your antibiotic plan if needed, especially if bacteria show resistance or additional concerns.
Reference range
Interpretive categories per CLSI M100 guidelines: Susceptible (S) ≤ 8 μg/mL, Intermediate (I) 16 μg/mL, Resistant (R) ≥ 32 μg/mL for Cefotaxime. Cefotaxime/Clavulanate is used for ESBL confirmation testing.N/A
No special patient preparation required. Specimen should be collected prior to administration of next antibiotic dose when possible for optimal susceptibility results.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance: Antibiotic Resistance and Treatment Guidance
Short name
Ceftazidime/Clavulanate MIC and Culture Observation
Frequently asked questions
Why was this test ordered?
What does a positive or negative result mean?
How long will it take to get results?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy