Jayashree Konar

Modified Hodge Test: Emergence of Some Diagnostic Dilemmas Jayashree Konar

Modified Hodge test is a CLSI recommended phenotypic confirmatory test for detection of Carbapenemase producing bacteria specially used in developing countries where genotyping facilities are not always available. The typical cloverleaf pattern seen in a positive Modified Hodge test is well established. Non interpretable or aberrant patterns as found in this study raised our curiosity and we tried to find out the explanation for this. Since Carbapenems are among the most widely used antibiotics, the scientific community would not like to see the Carbapenemase producers turn into superbugs.