In antibiotic susceptibility testing, what does 'Sensitive' mean?

In antibiotic susceptibility testing, what does 'Sensitive' mean?

• A. Organism is resistant to antimicrobial drug
• B. Organism is sensitive to antimicrobial drug. It can be used to treat an infection caused by that organism.
• C. The drug is only partially effective
• D. The test cannot determine susceptibility

Answer: (B)

In antibiotic susceptibility testing, "Sensitive" means the organism is inhibited by drug concentrations that can be achieved in the patient, so the antibiotic is likely to treat an infection caused by that organism. This result comes from tests that compare how the organism grows in the presence of the drug to established breakpoints, and results are reported as susceptible (sensitive), intermediate, or resistant. If a bacterium is labeled sensitive, you’d typically choose that antibiotic at standard doses because it should be effective. If the organism were resistant, the drug wouldn't work well, and another antibiotic would be chosen. The idea of partial effectiveness corresponds to the intermediate category, which depends on drug concentration at the infection site and sometimes higher doses or specific conditions. If susceptibility can’t be determined, the result would be inconclusive and often requires repeat testing or alternative methods.

In antibiotic susceptibility testing, "Sensitive" means the organism is inhibited by drug concentrations that can be achieved in the patient, so the antibiotic is likely to treat an infection caused by that organism. This result comes from tests that compare how the organism grows in the presence of the drug to established breakpoints, and results are reported as susceptible (sensitive), intermediate, or resistant. If a bacterium is labeled sensitive, you’d typically choose that antibiotic at standard doses because it should be effective. If the organism were resistant, the drug wouldn't work well, and another antibiotic would be chosen. The idea of partial effectiveness corresponds to the intermediate category, which depends on drug concentration at the infection site and sometimes higher doses or specific conditions. If susceptibility can’t be determined, the result would be inconclusive and often requires repeat testing or alternative methods.