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Sensitivity analysis - Overview

Alternative Names

Antibiotic sensitivity

Definition of Sensitivity analysis:

Sensitivity analysis determines the effectiveness of antibiotics against microorganisms such as bacteria that have been isolated from cultures.

Sensitivity analysis may be performed along with:

Blood culture
Clean catch urine culture or catheterized specimen urine culture
Sputum culture
Culture from endocervix
Throat culture
Wound and other cultures

How the test is performed:

Colonies of microorganisms are combined with different antibiotics to see how well each antibiotic stops each colony from growing. The test determines the effectiveness of each antibiotic against a particular organism.

How to prepare for the test:

There is no special preparation.

How the test will feel:

The way the test feels depends upon the method used for obtaining the specific culture.

Why the test is performed:

The test shows which antibiotic drugs should be used to treat an infection.

Because many organisms continue to show resistance against various antibiotics, sensitivity tests have become more and more important. Your doctor may start you on one antibiotic, but later change you to another one because of the results of sensitivity analysis.

Reviewed last on: 3/14/2009
Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Smith MB, Woods GL. In vitro testing of antimicrobial agents. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 57.

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