antibiogrammia

An antibiogram is a laboratory test used to determine the susceptibility of a microorganism, usually bacteria, to various antibiotics. The term antibiogrammia, while less common, refers to the practice or study of creating and interpreting antibiograms. This diagnostic tool is crucial in clinical microbiology for guiding the selection of appropriate antimicrobial therapy for infectious diseases.

The process typically involves isolating the causative pathogen from a patient's sample, such as blood, urine, or tissue. This isolated microorganism is then cultured on a growth medium. Subsequently, different antibiotic agents are introduced to the culture. There are several methods for performing an antibiogram, including the disk diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer test) and the agar dilution or broth microdilution methods. In disk diffusion, antibiotic-impregnated disks are placed on an agar plate inoculated with the bacteria; a clear zone of inhibition around a disk indicates that the bacteria are sensitive to that antibiotic. In dilution methods, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), which is the lowest concentration of an antibiotic that prevents visible growth of the microorganism, is determined.

The results of an antibiogram are reported as susceptible, intermediate, or resistant. A susceptible result suggests that the antibiotic is likely to be effective in treating the infection. Intermediate indicates that the antibiotic may be effective at higher doses or with prolonged treatment. Resistant means that the antibiotic is unlikely to be effective. Antibiograms are essential for combating antibiotic resistance, enabling clinicians to choose the most effective and least toxic treatment option for their patients and to monitor emerging resistance patterns within a hospital or community.