Sensitivity analysis

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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

Antibiotic sensitivity

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.

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There is no special preparation.

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

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.

Review Date: 02/01/2011
Reviewed By: 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.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).