Frequently Asked Questions

becSCREEN™ is a biofilm susceptibility test which allows Veterinarians with the help of Spectrum Labs, to determine whether the tested clinical isolate from a chronic relapsing infection will be susceptible or resistant to a given antibiotic in the biofilm state, which exists in the body.

In order to submit a sample please fill out the form on the request forms page. You will need your medical ID number, all submission forms will be sent electronically.

We have technical representatives available Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm MST, toll-free at (800) 553-1391. It is our commitment to try and address each call as they come in, as this is most convenient for you.  In the unlikely event all of our representatives are busy assisting other clients, we will get back to you at the earliest possible time, or at a time suggested by you. You can also send us an email.

The becSCREEN™ susceptibility test is designed to determine the antimicrobial agent susceptibility of both planktonic (traditional media) and biofilm bacteria using state of the art technology. It provides Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC, planktonic susceptibility) as well as Minimum Biofilm Eradication Concentration (MBEC, biofilm) information.

The becSCREEN™ testing allows you to challenge an organism with 16 single antibiotics, and 35 antibiotic combinations at serum breakpoint concentrations.

Because the incubation periods can range from 6-24 hours for gram staining as well as the biofilm portion of the testing, we will have results in your hands within 1 week (or less) of receiving the sample.

This is the true definition of a recurrent chronic bacterial infection. Bacteria are in a constant state of evolution, their sheer survival depends on it. Even when seemingly dormant, bacteria in a biofilm continue to gather information and increase its genetic knowledge about threats and the environment that surrounds it. It is for this reason that with many recurrent bacterial infections, the animal improves while on treatment but get worse as soon as that treatment has stopped. This phenomenon showcases why this testing and true eradication of the biofilm is so important.

Since antibiotic sensitivity varies between planktonic and biofilm bacteria we are often only eradicating the planktonic bacteria. In these cases the biofilm has the strategy to simply absorb the antibiotic through its microchannels and prevent it from reaching the individual bacteria within the colony. Biofilm bacteria will often go into a vegetative state while therapy is being administered and then once again become active as soon as treatment is complete.

In addition, the biofilm releases individual bacteria from the colony to live planktonically. These individuals however will often have developed a resistance to the antibiotic/s previously used.  It is for this reason that treatment with the same antibiotic a second time is often less/totally ineffective.

With the advancement of antibiotics bacteria have evolved out of shear survival. While we have continued to make strides in this area we have found ourselves at a place where we are playing catch up to the bacteria and “super bugs” like MRSA, Staph spp., and Pseudomonas. With the advanced technology that becSCREEN™ allows us to tap into, we are able to provide therapeutic options for these infections in their more natural resistant state (biofilm) and create longer lasting relief for our patients who suffer.

Once the results have been reported you can prescribe antibiotics in the recommended dosages.

• Growth in the growth control on the challenge plate after 24 hours confirms the growth of an organism
• Growth observed in the Growth Control on the recovery plate after 48 hours of incubation confirms that the organism formed a biofilm
• When the planktonic susceptibility results show substantial increase in susceptibility then the test is working

No growth on any of the agar plates will often indicate that there is no aerobic bacterial infection.

There may also be a possibility that the infection is bacterial, but the swab wasn’t performed properly (swab should be hydrated with saline (for example) before swabbing the infected site. It is also possible that the infection may be caused by yeast, or anaerobic bacteria, both of which will be further analyzed.

In cases where bacteria are resistant to all single antibiotic treatment a secondary screen is run to allow for the testing of 35 antibiotic combinations to determine alternate treatment options. This testing is done automatically unless otherwise indicated by you, the Veterinarian, at an additional cost.