Why is antimicrobic sensitivity testing done? Multiple Choice
To identify the bacteria causing an infection
To determine what antimicrobials the patient is susceptible to
To determine what antimicrobials would be most effective for treating the infection
To obtain all of this information
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer:
✅ To obtain all of this information
Explanation:
Antimicrobic sensitivity testing, also known as antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), is performed to guide the effective treatment of bacterial infections. This test helps physicians determine the most suitable antibiotic or antimicrobial agent to combat a specific infection. The importance of this test can be understood through the following key points:
- Identifying the Bacteria Causing an Infection
- AST is typically performed after a bacterial culture has been isolated from a patient sample (e.g., blood, urine, sputum, wound).
- Knowing the specific bacteria allows doctors to predict possible resistance mechanisms and choose the best treatment.
- Determining the Patient’s Susceptibility to Antimicrobials
- Not all bacteria respond to the same antibiotics.
- Some bacteria have developed resistance, making certain drugs ineffective.
- AST helps in understanding whether the pathogen is resistant, susceptible, or intermediate to different antimicrobial agents.
- Selecting the Most Effective Antimicrobial for Treatment
- Once susceptibility is determined, the test provides a list of antibiotics that are most effective in killing or inhibiting the bacteria.
- This ensures that the prescribed antibiotic is targeted, improving treatment outcomes and preventing unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which can contribute to antibiotic resistance.
- Preventing Antibiotic Resistance
- The overuse or misuse of antibiotics has led to the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria (e.g., MRSA, ESBL-producing bacteria).
- AST helps reduce the unnecessary prescription of ineffective antibiotics and promotes antimicrobial stewardship.
By obtaining all this information from a single test, clinicians can ensure effective treatment, minimize resistance development, and improve patient recovery.
Here is an image illustrating Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) in a laboratory setting. Let me know if you need further explanations or modifications!