As the incidence and complexity of serious fungal infections continue to present challenges for healthcare professionals, accurate diagnosis and effective antifungal susceptibility testing (AST) are increasingly important in supporting clinical decision-making and improving patient outcomes.
In this expert-led webinar, Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK brings together specialists from Public Health Wales and BioMaxima to explore the evolving landscape of medical mycology, the growing threat of antifungal resistance and the latest approaches to diagnosing and managing invasive fungal infections.
Originally broadcast on 1 October 2026, All Things Mycology & AST Testing provides valuable insights for biomedical scientists, clinical microbiologists, laboratory managers and other healthcare professionals involved in fungal diagnostics and susceptibility testing.
Serious fungal infections represent a significant global healthcare burden, particularly among immunocompromised patients and those receiving treatments that suppress the immune system.
In the webinar, Lewis White from the Mycology Reference Centre in Cardiff, Public Health Wales, examines the changing epidemiology of invasive fungal disease and the challenges facing diagnostic laboratories.
With increasing concerns surrounding pathogens such as Candida auris and azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus, identifying fungal pathogens accurately and determining their susceptibility to available treatments is essential.
Lewis explores how changing patient populations, emerging resistance patterns and limitations in existing diagnostic approaches are influencing best practice in medical mycology.
One of the central themes of the webinar is that no single diagnostic method provides a complete solution for detecting invasive fungal infections.
Traditional techniques, including fungal culture and microscopy, remain fundamental to laboratory investigations. However, their limitations in sensitivity and turnaround times can make early diagnosis particularly challenging.
Lewis discusses the complementary roles of several diagnostic approaches, including:
The presentation also considers recommendations from the British Society for Medical Mycology (BSMM) and the practical challenges laboratories face when implementing specialist mycology testing.
As antifungal resistance becomes an increasingly important consideration in clinical microbiology, reliable susceptibility testing plays a vital role in informing treatment decisions.
The webinar examines the principles and practical applications of antifungal susceptibility testing, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination and the interpretation of susceptibility results.
Lewis explores the differences between EUCAST and CLSI methodologies, the limitations of available clinical breakpoints and the importance of understanding species-specific resistance patterns.
He also highlights the value of susceptibility testing in severe, invasive and treatment-resistant fungal infections, alongside the practical considerations involved in delivering meaningful results to clinicians.
The webinar also features Barbara Michalska, Clinical Microbiology Director at BioMaxima, who introduces the company’s microbiology diagnostic portfolio and its range of antifungal MIC gradient strips.
As a distribution partner for BioMaxima, Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK supplies products designed to support microbiology laboratories with antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Barbara explains the design and application of BioMaxima’s antifungal gradient strips, including their composite material, clear MIC reading scale and quality control procedures.
The presentation also covers the available antifungal agents, associated culture media and the role of gradient diffusion methods in determining minimum inhibitory concentrations.
For laboratories reviewing their current antifungal susceptibility testing processes, this section provides an introduction to the BioMaxima product range and its practical applications.
Whether you’re looking to develop your understanding of invasive fungal infections, review current diagnostic practices or explore antifungal susceptibility testing methods, this webinar brings together clinical expertise and practical laboratory insights.
Webinar speakers:
Hosted by: Jennie Jones & Anne Grayson, Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK
Original broadcast: 1 October 2026
Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK works with leading diagnostic manufacturers to provide microbiology laboratories with high-quality products, technical expertise and ongoing support.
To find out more about our range of BioMaxima antifungal MIC gradient strips, AST discs and associated microbiology products, contact the Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK team to discuss your laboratory’s requirements.
