What are the Challenges of Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing?
Despite its importance, antibiotic sensitivity testing faces several challenges:
- Accuracy and Reproducibility: Variability in test conditions, such as inoculum size, agar depth, and incubation times, can affect the accuracy and reproducibility of results. - Emerging Resistance Mechanisms: New resistance mechanisms, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases, can complicate the interpretation of susceptibility results. - Sample Quality: Poor quality or contaminated samples can lead to erroneous results, impacting treatment decisions and epidemiological data.
