antifungalsensitivitetstestning

Antifungalsensitivitetstestning, also known as antifungal susceptibility testing, is a laboratory procedure used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antifungal agents against a specific fungal isolate. This testing is crucial in clinical microbiology to guide the selection of appropriate antifungal therapy for patients with fungal infections. The most commonly used methods for antifungal susceptibility testing include broth microdilution, agar dilution, and Etest. Broth microdilution is the reference method and involves diluting antifungal agents in a liquid medium containing the fungal isolate. The MIC is defined as the lowest concentration of the antifungal agent that inhibits visible growth of the fungus. Agar dilution and Etest methods are alternative techniques that provide similar results but are often used for their convenience and speed. Antifungalsensitivitetstestning is essential for optimizing antifungal therapy, reducing the risk of treatment failure, and minimizing the development of antifungal resistance. It is typically performed in clinical laboratories and is an integral part of the diagnostic process for fungal infections.