Sensitivity analysis

Definition

Sensitivity analysis determines the effectiveness of antibiotics against microorganisms such as bacteria that have been isolated from cultures.

Sensitivity analysis may be performed along with:

• Blood culture
• Clean catch urine culture or catheterized specimen urine culture
• Sputum culture
• Culture from endocervix
• Throat culture
• Wound and other cultures

How the test is performed

Colonies of microorganisms are combined with different antibiotics to see how well each antibiotic stops each colony from growing. The test determines the effectiveness of each antibiotic against a particular organism.

How to prepare for the test

There is no special preparation.

How the test will feel

The way the test feels depends upon the method used for obtaining the specific culture.

Why the test is performed

The test shows which antibiotic drugs should be used to treat an infection.

What abnormal results mean

If the organism shows drug resistance to the antibiotics used in the test, then those antibiotics will not be effective treatment.

What the risks are

The risks depend upon the method used for obtaining the specific culture.

Page Content:

Antibiotic sensitivity ; antibiotic sensitivity; antibiotic sensitivity test; antibiotic sensitivity testing