Chapter 10, Problem 3TMW

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The reasons that why physicians do not invariably prescribe the antimicrobial with the largest zone of inhibition.

Introduction:

A diffusion susceptibility test like Kirby-Bauer test enables to classify pathogens through diffusion susceptibility tests as susceptible, resistant or intermediate to each particular drug. In diffusion test microbial colony does not grow around the disks having antimicrobial agent. The “zone of inhibition” around these antimicrobial disks means no microbial growth areas. The value of the diameter of the “zone of inhibition” is compared with the standard table for the specific drug.