Antimicrobial Susceptibility Controls
Public Health England's National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC) offers a wide range of strains that can be used to control antimicrobial susceptibility testing to:
- monitor test performance and quality of the materials used
- confirm that the in-use method will detect resistance
NCTC strains are verified by Public Health England's Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections Reference Unit (AMRHAI) and are used in diagnostic testing laboratories worldwide.
The strains listed are specifically recommended by one or more of the following:
- the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST)
- Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
- United Kingdom Standards for Microbiology Investigations (formerly National Standard Methods)
- British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC)
Download the Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Control Strains leaflet. You may also be interested in Antimicrobial Resistance Reference Strains
European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST)
Recommended Strains for Routine and Extended Internal Quality Control (Version 7.0)
|
Organism |
NCTC® Strain Reference |
Routine or extended internal QC |
Characteristics |
Other collection number |
|
Campylobacter jejuni |
Routine internal QC |
- |
ATCC 33560; CCUG 11284; CIP 702; DSM 4688 |
|
|
Enterococcus faecalis |
Routine internal QC |
- |
ATCC 29212; CECT 795; CIP 103214; CCUG 9997; DSM 2570; WDCM 00087 |
|
|
Enterococcus faecalis |
Extended internal QC |
High-level gentamicin resistant (HLGR) |
ATCC 51299; CCUG 34289; CIP 104676; DSM 12956; WDCM 00085; WDCM 00152 |
|
|
Escherichia coli |
Routine internal QC |
- |
ATCC 25922; CECT 434; CIP 76.24; CCUG 17620; DSM 1103; NCIMB 12210; WDCM 00013 |
|
|
Escherichia coli |
Routine internal QC |
TEM-1 β-lactamase (Non-ESBL) producer |
ATCC 35218; CECT 943; CIP 102181; CCUG 30600; DSM 5923 |
|
|
Escherichia coli |
Routine internal QC |
MCR-1 positive |
- |
|
|
Haemophilus influenzae |
Routine internal QC |
- |
ATCC 49766; CCUG 29539; CIP 103570; DSM 11970 |
|
|
Haemophilus influenzae |
Extended internal QC |
- |
ATCC 49247; CCUG 26214; CIP 104604; DSM 9999 |
|
|
Klebsiella pneumoniae |
Routine and extended internal QC |
SHV-18 ESBL producing |
ATCC 700603; CECT 7787; CCUG 45421 |
|
|
Pseudomonas aeruginosa |
Routine internal QC |
- CCUG 67181; WDCM 00212 |
ATCC 27853; CECT 108; CIP 76.110; CCUG 17619; DSM 1117; WDCM 00025 |
|
|
Staphylococcus aureus |
Routine internal QC |
Methicillin resistant (MRSA), mecA positive |
CCUG 67181; WDCM 00212 |
|
|
Staphylococcus aureus |
Routine internal QC |
Weak β-lactamase positive, mecA negative |
ATCC 29213; CECT 794; CIP 103429; CCUG 15915; DSM 2569; JCM 2874; WDCM 00131 |
|
|
Streptococcus pneumoniae |
Routine internal QC |
Penicillin intermediate (altered penicillin binding protein) |
ATCC 49619; CCUG 33638; CIP 104340; DSM11967 |
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
Recommended performance standards for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (M100-S24)
|
ReferenceCharacteristOrganism |
NCTC® Strain Reference |
Characteristics |
Other collection number |
|
Bacteroides fragilis |
β-lactamase positive |
ATCC 25285; CN 6300; DSM 2151 |
|
|
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron |
β-lactamase positive |
- |
|
|
Enterococcus faecalis |
- |
ATCC 29212; WDCM 00087 |
|
|
Enterococcus faecalis |
Resistant to vancomycin (VanB) and high-level aminoglycosides |
ATCC 51299; CIP 10467; WDCM 00085; WDCM 00152 |
|
|
Enterococcus faecalis |
- |
WDCM 00210 |
|
|
Escherichia coli |
β-lactamase negative |
ATCC 25922; DSM 1103; NCIMB 12210; WDCM 00013 |
|
|
Escherichia coli |
Contains plasmid-encoded TEM-1 β-lactamase (Non-ESBL) producer |
ATCC 35218 |
|
|
Haemophilus influenzae |
BLNAR (β-lactamase negative, ampicillin resistant) |
ATCC 49247 |
|
|
Haemophilus influenzae |
Ampicillin susceptible |
ATCC 49766; CIP 103570 |
|
|
Haemophilus influenzae |
- |
ATCC 10211; CIP 103708 |
|
|
Helicobacter pylori |
- |
ATCC 43504; CCUG 17874; DSM 4867; LMG 7539; |
|
|
Klebsiella pneumoniae |
SHV-18 ESBL producing |
ATCC 700603; CCUG 45421; LMG 20218 |
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
CMRNG (Chromosome-mediated resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae) |
ATCC 49226 |
|
|
Pseudomonas aeruginosa |
Contains inducible AmpC β-lactamase |
ATCC 27853; WDCM 00025 |
|
|
Staphylococcus aureus |
β-lactamase negative, mecA negative, little value in MIC testing due to its extreme susceptibility to most drugs |
ATCC 25923; CIP 76.25; DSM 1104; JCM 2413; WDCM 00034 |
|
|
Staphylococcus aureus |
Weak β-lactamase positive, mecA negative |
ATCC 29213; CIP 103429; DSM 2569; JCM 2874; WDCM 00131 |
|
|
Staphylococcus aureus |
Oxacillin resistant, mecA negative |
ATCC 43300; WDCM 00211 |
|
|
Streptococcus pneumoniae |
Penicillin intermediate (altered penicillin binding protein) |
ATCC 49619; CIP 104340 |
UK Standard for Microbiology Investigations (UKSMI)
Recommended in B59: Enterobacteriaceae producing Extended Spectrum b-lactamases
|
Organism |
NCTC® Strain Reference |
Characteristics |
Other collection number |
|
Escherichia coli |
CTX-M-15 (cefotaxime) |
- |
|
|
Escherichia coli |
TEM-3 (Broad Spectrum) |
- |
|
|
Escherichia coli |
TEM-10 (ceftazidimase) |
- |
|
|
Escherichia coli |
Negative control |
ATCC 10536; CN 6455; DSM 682; NCIB 8879; |
|
|
Klebsiella pneumoniae |
SHV-18 ESBL producing |
ATCC 700603; CCUG 45421; LMG 20218 |
Recommended in B60: Detection of bacteria with carbapenem-hydrolysing b-lactamases (carbapenemases)
|
Organism |
NCTC® Strain Reference |
Characteristics |
Other collection number |
|
Class A Carbapenemase |
|||
|
Klebsiella pneumoniae |
Member of the international ST258 clone producing KPC-3 carbapenemase |
- |
|
|
Class B Carbapenemases (Metallo-β-lactamases) |
|||
|
Escherichia coli |
IMP-type (unsequenced) |
CCUG 68729 |
|
|
Klebsiella pneumoniae |
VIM-1; QnrS1 (outbreak strain) |
- |
|
|
Klebsiella pneumoniae |
VIM-1; QnrS1 (sporadic) |
- |
|
|
Klebsiella pneumoniae |
New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1) |
CCUG 68728 |
|
|
Pseudomonas aeruginosa |
VIM-10; VEB-1 |
- |
|
|
Class D Carbapenemases (OXA carbapenemases) |
|||
|
Acinetobacter baumannii |
OXA-23 (also with OXA-51-like) |
- |
|
|
Acinetobacter baumannii |
OXA-25 (OXA-24/40-like) (also with OXA-51-like) |
- |
|
|
Acinetobacter baumannii |
OXA-26 (also with OXA-51-like) |
- |
|
|
Acinetobacter baumannii |
OXA-27 (also with OXA-51-like) |
- |
|
|
Acinetobacter baumannii |
(A 15) OXA-58 (also with OXA-51-like) |
- |
|
|
Acinetobacter baumannii |
OXA-23 Clone 2 (also with OXA-51-like) |
- |
|
|
Acinetobacter baumannii |
OXA-23 Clone 1 (also with OXA-51-like) |
- |
|
|
Acinetobacter baumannii |
SE Clone OXA-51-like |
- |
|
|
Acinetobacter baumannii |
NW Clone OXA-51-like |
- |
|
|
Acinetobacter baumannii |
T strain (UK3) OXA-51-like |
- |
|
|
Klebsiella pneumoniae |
Sequence type 353 with OXA-48 |
CCUG 68727 |
|
Note: Either E. coli NCTC 10418 or ATCC 25922 should be used as a negative control in confirmation tests
World Health Organisation (WHO)
Neisseria gonorrhoeae panel
|
Organism |
NCTC® Strain Reference |
WHO Designation |
Characteristics |
Other collection number |
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO F |
Fully susceptible isolate |
CCUG 57595 |
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO G |
Resistant to; ciprofloxacin (Low-level), penicillin (intermediate) tetracycline (TRNG). |
CCUG 57596 |
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO K |
Resistant to; cefixime (low-level), ciprofloxacin (high-level), penicillin G, tetracycline. |
CCUG 57597 |
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO L |
Resistant to; azithromycin (intermediate), penicillin G, ceftriaxone (low-level), ciprofloxacin (high-level), tetracycline |
CCUG 57598 |
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO M |
Resistant to; ciprofloxacin, penicillin G (penicillinase-producing), tetracycline |
CCUG 57599 |
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO N |
Resistant to; penicillin G (penicillinase-producing), ciprofloxacin, tetracycline (TRNG) |
CCUG 57600 |
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO O |
Resistant to; penicillin G (penicillinase-producing), spectinomycin, tetracycline |
CCUG 57601 |
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO P |
Resistant to; azithromycin, penicillin G (intermediate), tetracycline (intermediate). |
CCUG 57602 |
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO U |
Resistant to; azithromycin, ciprofloxacin (high-level), penicillin G (intermediate), tetracycline (intermediate). |
|
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO V |
Resistant to; azithromycin (high-level), ciprofloxacin (high-level), penicillin G (penicillinase-producing), tetracycline. |
|
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO W |
Resistant to; cefixime (low-level), ciprofloxacin (high-level), penicillin G, tetracycline. |
|
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO X |
Resistant to; azithromycin (intermediate). Cefixime (high-level), ceftriaxone (high-level), ciprofloxacin (high-level), penicillin G. |
|
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO Y |
Resistant to; azithromycin, cefixime (high-level), ceftriaxone (high-level) and ciprofloxacin (high-level), penicillin G (intermediate), tetracycline. |
|
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
WHO Z |
Resistant to; azithromycin, ceftriaxone (low-level), cefixime (high-level) and ciprofloxacin (high-level), penicillin G, tetracycline. |
|
British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC)
Method for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (Version 14 January 2015)
Control strains with a resistance mechanism
|
Organism |
NCTC® Strain Reference |
Characteristics |
Other collection number |
|
Bacteroides fragilis |
Susceptible |
ATCC 25285; CN 6300; DSM 2151 |
|
|
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron |
Susceptible |
- |
|
|
Clostridium perfringens |
Susceptible |
ATCC 12915; CN 3335 |
|
|
Enterococcus faecalis |
Susceptible |
ATCC 29212; WDCM 00087 |
|
|
Escherichia coli |
Susceptible (β-lactamase negative) |
ATCC 25922; DSM 1103; NCIMB 12210; WDCM 00013 |
|
|
Susceptible |
ATCC 10536; CN 6455; DSM 682; NCIB 8879; |
||
|
Escherichia coli |
TEM-1 ß-lactamase producer |
- |
|
|
Haemophilus influenzae |
Susceptible |
- |
|
|
Haemophilus influenzae |
Resistant to ß-lactams (ß-lactamase-negative) |
ATCC 49247 |
|
|
Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
Low level chromosome mediated resistant to penicillin |
ATCC 49226 |
|
|
Pasteurellamultocida |
Susceptible |
- |
|
|
Pseudomonas aeruginosa |
Susceptible (contains inducible AmpC β-lactamase) |
ATCC 27853; WDCM 00025 |
|
|
Susceptible |
ATCC 25668; CCUG 1423; DSM 46358; WDCM 00114 |
||
|
Staphylococcus aureus |
Susceptible (β-lactamase negative) |
ATCC 25923; CIP 76.25; DSM 1104; JCM 2413; WDCM 00034 |
|
|
Susceptible |
ATCC 9144; CN 6457; NCIB 6571; NRRL-B314; WDCM 00035 |
||
|
Staphylococcus aureus |
MecA positive, methicillin resistant |
WDCM 00212 |
|
|
Streptococcus pneumoniae |
Low level resistant to penicillin (altered penicillin binding protein) |
ATCC 49619; CIP 104340 |
Other useful websites
- PHE Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMRHAI) Reference Unit
- The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST)
- Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
- UK Standards for Microbiological Investigations
- British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC)