There are several methods used to perform antibiotic sensitivity testing:
1. Disk Diffusion Method: Also known as the Kirby-Bauer test, this method involves placing antibiotic-impregnated disks on an agar plate inoculated with the test organism. The zone of inhibition around the disk indicates the organism's susceptibility.
2. Broth Dilution Method: This method determines the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of an antibiotic by serially diluting the drug in a broth medium and inoculating it with the test organism. The lowest concentration that inhibits visible growth is recorded as the MIC.
3. E-test: This method combines the principles of both the disk diffusion and broth dilution methods. It uses a strip impregnated with a gradient of the antibiotic, placed on an inoculated agar plate. The point where the growth intersects the strip indicates the MIC.
