Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing: Guiding Effective Treatment
Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) is a vital laboratory process that determines how effective specific antibiotics are against bacterial infections. It guides physicians in selecting the most appropriate treatment and helps combat antibiotic resistance—a growing global concern.
The testing process involves exposing bacteria to different antibiotic concentrations to observe their growth response. Methods like disk diffusion, broth dilution, and automated analyzers provide accurate data on bacterial resistance patterns.
AST is crucial in hospital microbiology labs, particularly for patients with severe or recurrent infections. It ensures that prescribed antibiotics are truly effective, preventing unnecessary or ineffective treatments.
As multidrug-resistant bacteria continue to emerge, AST data also support surveillance programs that monitor resistance trends and inform public health strategies.
New technologies, including rapid molecular testing, are making susceptibility assessments faster and more precise, allowing doctors to tailor therapy within hours rather than days.
By ensuring the right drug is used for the right infection, antibiotic susceptibility testing remains an essential weapon in preserving the power of modern medicine.