AName: Mark Janssen D.

Custodio Date:
Course/ Year/ Section/ Group: BSN1A-GROUP 1 Rating:
MC 3 (Lab)
Experiment No. 10
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Objectives:
1. Discuss the importance of antimicrobial susceptibility testing
2. Interpret results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing
2. Classify antibiotics based on mechanism of action
3. Describe characteristics of an ideal antibiotic
4. Discuss the mechanism of drug resistance
Materials:
Commercially prepared Antibiotic Disc
Prepared Bacterial Cultures
Procedure:
1. Watch the video link on how to prepare bacterial culture (E. Coli)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nBKgCF-cfY (Culturing Microbes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1onYow0O58 (Isolating Bacterial Colonies)
2. Watch the video link on how antimicrobial susceptibility testing is performed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXr_kcki4Ag (Disc Diffusion Method)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TZn3ie-iFk (AST interpretation)
Question: (Use other paper to answer questions)
1. What are the characteristics of an ideal antimicrobial agent?
2. What are the 3 interpretations for zone of growth inhibition?
3. What is meant by resistance? Give mechanism by which organisms develop resistance
 1. Characteristics of an ideal antimicrobial agent:

An ideal antimicrobial agent should have the following characteristics:

 Selective toxicity: The antimicrobial agent should be able to kill or inhibit the growth of the microorganism
causing the infection without harming the host cells.

 Broad-spectrum activity: The antimicrobial agent should be able to target a wide range of microorganisms,
including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

 Low toxicity: The antimicrobial agent should not cause harmful side effects in the host, even when used at
high doses.

 Rapid onset of action: The antimicrobial agent should act quickly to eliminate the infection.

 Stable in storage: The antimicrobial agent should have a long shelf-life and remain effective even after
prolonged storage.

 Easily administered: The antimicrobial agent should be easy to administer orally or by injection.

 Cost-effective: The antimicrobial agent should be affordable and accessible to all those who need it.

2. Interpretations for zone of growth inhibition:

The growth inhibition zone is the clear area surrounding a disk containing an antimicrobial agent placed on an agar
plate with bacteria. The size of the zone of growth inhibition can be used to interpret the susceptibility of the bacteria
to the antimicrobial agent. There are three possible interpretations for the zone of growth inhibition:

 Resistant: If there is no zone of growth inhibition or the zone is very small, the bacteria are considered
resistant to the antimicrobial agent. This means that the antimicrobial agent is not effective against these
bacteria.

 Intermediate: If the zone of growth inhibition is of intermediate size, the bacteria are considered to have
intermediate susceptibility to the antimicrobial agent. This means that the antimicrobial agent may be
effective against these bacteria, but higher doses or longer treatment times may be needed.

 Susceptible: If the zone of growth inhibition is large, the bacteria are considered susceptible to the
antimicrobial agent. This means that the antimicrobial agent is effective against these bacteria.

3. Resistance and mechanisms by which organisms develop resistance:

Resistance is the ability of microorganisms to resist the effects of antimicrobial agents. Resistance can develop
through various mechanisms, including:

 Mutation: Microorganisms can develop mutations that enable them to survive in the presence of
antimicrobial agents.

 Gene transfer: Microorganisms can acquire resistance genes from other microorganisms through horizontal
gene transfer, such as conjugation, transduction, or transformation.

 Antibiotic misuse and overuse: Overuse or misuse of antimicrobial agents can lead to the selection of
resistant microorganisms, as those that are resistant are more likely to survive and reproduce.

 Biofilm formation: Microorganisms can form biofilms that provide a protective environment where they can
resist the effects of antimicrobial agents.

 Efflux pumps: Microorganisms can develop efflux pumps that pump out the antimicrobial agent before it can
exert its effects.

The development of antimicrobial resistance is a major public health concern, as it can lead to the failure of
antimicrobial therapy and the spread of infections that are difficult to treat. To reduce the development of
antimicrobial resistance, it is important to use antimicrobial agents judiciously, follow appropriate infection control
measures, and develop new antimicrobial agents and alternative therapies.