Schijfdiffusietest

Schijfdiffusietest is a microbiological assay used to determine the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial substances. It is a common method in clinical microbiology laboratories for guiding antibiotic therapy. The test involves applying an antimicrobial-impregnated disc to the surface of an agar plate that has been uniformly inoculated with a bacterial culture. The plate is then incubated, allowing the bacteria to grow and the antimicrobial to diffuse from the disc into the agar. If the bacteria are susceptible to the antimicrobial, a clear zone of inhibition will form around the disc. The size of this zone is measured and compared to standardized interpretive criteria to categorize the organism as susceptible, intermediate, or resistant to the antimicrobial. This information is crucial for selecting the most effective treatment for bacterial infections. The schijfdiffusietest is relatively simple, cost-effective, and can be performed with a wide range of antimicrobial agents. However, it is important to follow standardized protocols precisely to ensure accurate and reproducible results. Factors such as the depth of the agar, the concentration of the antimicrobial on the disc, the incubation temperature, and the incubation time can all influence the size of the zone of inhibition. Therefore, using commercially prepared, quality-controlled discs and adhering to established guidelines is essential for reliable interpretation.