Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (AST) is a laboratory technique used to determine if a particular strain of bacteria is resistant or susceptible to a specific antibiotic. This type of testing is important to ensure that the most appropriate antibiotic is prescribed for a particular infection, thus leading to better treatment outcomes. In addition, AST helps healthcare providers identify and contain the spread of antibiotic resistance. In performing AST, a sample of bacteria is cultured on a plate with a range of antibiotics and then examined for growth or inhibition of growth. AST is a key tool used in the development of new antibiotics, as well as in tracking the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.