Antibiotic Sensitivity Test 🦠

Antibiotic sensitivity testing is a useful test that helps determine the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics and find the most effective drug to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotic sensitivity testing usually carries very little risk and is highly effective.

What is antibiotic sensitivity testing?

An antibiotic is a medicine commonly used to fight infections caused by bacteria. There are many different types of antibiotics available today, and each is only effective against certain bacteria.
Sensitivity analysis, also known as antibiotic sensitivity test, is a type of test that helps determine the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics. Antibiotic testing also helps doctors find the most effective antibiotic to kill microorganisms that cause disease, such as bacteria or fungi, that enter the body and lead to an infection.

Results from antibiotic sensitivity testing will help your doctor determine which medications are most effective at treating the infection. In addition, doctors also use antibiotic sensitivity testing to determine the right antibiotic treatment for the infection, and help monitor the bacteria's resistance to antibiotics.
Besides, antibiotic sensitivity testing can also be helpful in finding treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections. Antibiotic resistance often occurs when standard antibiotics become less effective or ineffective against certain types of bacteria. This can also make treatable diseases more dangerous, even life-threatening.

When is antibiotic sensitivity testing usually done?

There are many types of bacteria that are resistant to some common antibiotics. This makes it impossible for antibiotics to kill the bacteria as expected. Antibiotic sensitivity testing is considered a useful tool to quickly determine whether bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics.
Some infections are resistant to antibiotics, including:
Persistent sore throat Pneumonia that doesn't respond to treatment Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Antibiotic sensitivity testing is usually ordered if the patient's infection is not responding to treatment. This can help your doctor assess whether the bacteria causing the infection have developed resistance and determine which medications will be more effective at treating the infection.

Why should you test for antibiotic sensitivity?

You may need an antibiotic sensitivity test if your infection is resistant to antibiotics or difficult to treat. These infections commonly include tuberculosis, C.diff infection, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
In addition, you should also have an antibiotic sensitivity test performed if you have a fungal or bacterial infection that has not responded to currently available standard treatments.

How is antibiotic sensitivity testing performed?

Antibiotic testing or antibiotic sensitivity testing is usually started with a bacterial sample. Your doctor will take a sample of the bacteria from the infected area or any other site of infection on your body, including:

Blood Sputum Urine Inside the cervix A purulent wound Then a sample of bacteria will be taken to the laboratory and cultured in a special medium to grow and multiply. The bacteria can form colonies or large groups of bacteria, where each group will be exposed to different antibiotics.

These colonies may be susceptible, intermediate, or resistant to an antibiotic response:
Antibiotic susceptibility: Bacteria cannot grow in the presence of antibiotics. This shows that antibiotics are effective against bacteria. Intermediate: A higher dose of antibiotics is needed to stop the growth of bacteria. Resistance: Bacteria can grow even when exposed to antibiotics. This sign indicates that the antibiotic is not working effectively.

Possible risks of antibiotic sensitivity testing

Usually, antibiotic sensitivity testing presents very little risk to the patient. In the case of a blood sample, there may be minor risks, such as mild pain, prickling or stinging sensations after the needle is removed. Some of the rare risks of getting a blood sample for antibiotic sensitivity testing include:
Feeling dizzy

Fainting Hematoma (a bruise where blood collects under the skin) Infection, usually prevented by cleaning the skin before inserting the needle into the vein Heavy bleeding, if it occurs during For a long time after taking a blood sample, you should immediately notify your doctor for timely treatment.

Meaning of antibiotic sensitivity test results

After the bacteria are cultured and tested with different antibiotics, the doctor will analyze the results. The results of the antibiotic sensitivity test will help determine the best medication to treat your infection.

Bacteria are sensitive to antibiotics: The doctor will choose a suitable antibiotic from the report of the test showing that the drug can fight the bacteria

.
Bacteria intermediate to antibiotics: Your doctor will prescribe you a higher dose of an “intermediate” antibiotic to use for a long time. However, this can cause some unwanted side effects caused by antibiotics.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Antibiotics that have become resistant to bacteria should not be used to treat infections. Your doctor will make the decision to choose the best antibiotic that is proven to be effective in killing the microorganisms causing the infection.

In addition, you may also be prescribed a combination of antibiotics if the bacteria are resistant to all the standard drugs used to treat the infection. This combination can “work together” to kill as well as fight bacteria.

When should additional testing be performed?

Some infections may require additional tests because sometimes the usual antibiotics used to treat fungal or bacterial infections are not always effective.

Antibiotic testing can be used to find out which antibiotic or antibiotic combination will be most effective in treating different types of bacteria that cause infections.