Ceftazidime Antibiotic Detection in Body Fluids (Qualitative)
This test checks for the presence of the antibiotic ceftazidime in your body fluids, often used to monitor treatment for bacterial infections.
["Determines if your body has detected ceftazidime, helping guide antibiotic therapy."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 101481-0
- Short code
- CAZ-MIC
- Synonyms
- cefTAZidime Bld Pos MIC.VOC det
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Positive blood culture bottle (aerobic, anaerobic, or pediatric) flagged positive by continuous-monitoring blood culture system (e.g., BACTEC, BacT/ALERT). Positive broth is used for direct inoculation or subculture to appropriate media
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- mic-voc-detection
- CPT
- 87186
- SNOMED
- 36433006
- Specimen volume
- Positive blood culture broth volume as required by instrument (typically 1-3 mL for direct AST); standard blood culture bottles collect 8-10 mL per draw for adults and 1-3 mL for pediatric bottles
- Stability
- Positive blood culture bottles should be processed as soon as possible (within 8 hours) after flagging positive. Once inoculated onto AST cards/vials, process immediately per instrument manufacturer specifications (typically within 30 minutes)
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What This Test Measures
This test detects the antibiotic ceftazidime, a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections. It identifies whether the medication is present in your system, typically in serum, plasma, or urine, depending on clinical need. The result is qualitative—meaning it only tells you if the antibiotic is present or not, not the exact amount.
Why It’s Ordered
Your healthcare provider may order this test to confirm antibiotic exposure, especially if you’re receiving intravenous ceftazidime or if monitoring drug levels is important for your treatment plan. It helps ensure the antibiotic is working as intended and can help adjust dosing if needed.
Sample Collection and Preparation
The test uses a blood, urine, or other fluid sample, depending on the clinical context. Blood samples are typically drawn from a vein, while urine samples are collected in a clean container. The sample is then analyzed using a sensitive detection method to identify the presence of ceftazidime.
Test Results and Interpretation
Results are reported as positive (ceftazidime detected) or negative (ceftazidime not detected). A positive result indicates the antibiotic is present in your system, while a negative result means it is not detected at the threshold level used for this test.
Reference range
Interpretive criteria based on CLSI M100 breakpoints: Susceptible (S) ≤ 4 µg/mL, Susceptible-Dose Dependent (SDD) 8 µg/mL, Resistant (R) ≥ 16 µg/mL. Results reported as Susceptible (S), Intermediate (I), Susceptible-Dose Dependent (SDD), or Resistant (R)N/A
No special patient preparation required. Specimen collection should occur prior to administration of subsequent antibiotic doses when clinically feasible to avoid falsely elevated MIC values. Ensure proper skin antisepsis and aseptic technique to prevent contamination
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance
Short name
Ceftazidime Qualitative Test
Frequently asked questions
How does this test help my healthcare provider?
What does a positive result mean?
Can this test be used to measure drug levels?
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