Question

Place the steps of the Kirby Bauer method of antimicrobic sensitivity testing in the correct order.

1) Inoculate the test organism onto a Mueller-Hinton agar plate.
2) Place the antimicrobial discs on the agar plate.
3) Incubate the plate at 37°C for 16-18 hours.
4) Measure the zone of inhibition around each disc.
5) Compare the size of the zones of inhibition to a standard chart.

Answer 1

The Kirby Bauer method is a procedure to determine bacterial susceptibility to antimicrobials, involving inoculating Mueller-Hinton agar with the organism, placing antimicrobial discs, incubating at 37°C, measuring inhibition zones, and comparing them to a standard chart.

Step-by-step explanation:

Kirby Bauer Method of Antimicrobic Sensitivity Testing

The Kirby Bauer method is a standardized procedure utilized in clinical laboratories to determine the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial drugs. The correct order for conducting the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion test is as follows:

1. Inoculate the test organism onto a Mueller-Hinton agar plate.
2. Place the antimicrobial discs on the agar plate.
3. Incubate the plate at 37°C for 16-18 hours.
4. Measure the zone of inhibition around each disc.
5. Compare the size of the zones of inhibition to a standard chart.

This methodology is critical for selecting the most effective therapeutic agent for treating bacterial infections. The zone of inhibition is a clear area surrounding a disc where the bacteria have been prevented from growing due to the antimicrobial activity of the drug.