Eight rules for improving the quality of papers on the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated from aquatic animals.

The methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria, although relatively simple, are not robust. As a consequence, if the data generated in such tests are to be commensu- rate, all susceptibility tests must be performed using standard protocols. A review of the published literature of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria from aquatic animals revealed a fre- quent occurrence of significant errors, particularly with regard to testing methodology, quality control and the use of appropriate interpretive criteria in the performance and reporting of sus- ceptibility tests. This opinion piece provides a set of rules that, if followed, would help authors to avoid these frequently detected shortcomings.