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Antibiotic Sensitivity Analysis – Indications, Procedures, Results

Antibiotic sensitivity testing; Antimicrobial susceptibility testing

Sensitivity analysis determines the effectiveness of antibiotics against microorganisms (germs) such as bacteria that have been isolated from cultures. A sensitivity analysis is a test that determines the “sensitivity” of bacteria to an antibiotic. It also determines the ability of the drug to kill the bacteria. The results from the test can help your doctor determine which drugs are likely to be most effective in treating your infection.

A sensitivity test checks to see what kind of medicine, such as an antibiotic, will work best to treat the illness or infection. For culture, a sample of body fluid or tissue is added to a substance that promotes the growth of germs.

Sensitivity analysis may be done along with:

  • Blood culture
  • Clean catch urine culture or catheterized specimen urine culture
  • Sputum culture
  • Culture from endocervix
  • Throat culture
  • Wound and other cultures

How the Test is Performed

After the culture (sample) is collected from you, it is sent to a lab. There, the samples are put in special containers to grow the microorganisms (germs) from the collected samples. Colonies of microorganisms are combined with different antibiotics to see how well each antibiotic stops each colony from growing. The test determines how effective each antibiotic is against a given organism.

How to Prepare for the Test

Follow your health care provider’s instructions on how to prepare for the method used to obtain the culture.

How the Test Will Feel

The way the test feels depends on the method used to obtain the culture.

Why the Test is Performed

The test shows which antibiotic drugs should be used to treat an infection.

Many organisms are resistant to certain antibiotics. Sensitivity tests are important in helping find the right antibiotic for you. Your provider may start you on one antibiotic, but later change you to another because of the results of sensitivity analysis.

What Abnormal Results Mean

If the organism shows resistance to the antibiotics used in the test, those antibiotics will not be an effective treatment.

Risks

Risks depend on the method used to obtain the specific culture.

FAQ

How do you test for antibiotic sensitivity?

The most common types of tests are listed below.

 

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