Introduction
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) plays a crucial role in combating bacterial infections and addressing the growing global challenge of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics, ranging from β-lactams to macrolides, have saved millions of lives since the accidental discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928. Despite their effectiveness, widespread misuse in healthcare and agriculture has accelerated the emergence of resistant pathogens, causing an estimated 700,000 deaths annually, a figure projected to rise to 10 million by 2050 (Brogan & Mossialos, 2016).
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Importance of AST in Clinical Practice
AST allows clinicians to determine which antibiotics are effective against specific bacterial isolates, enabling targeted therapy and reducing reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics. Timely and accurate AST is critical, as delayed treatment can increase patient mortality and worsen clinical outcomes.
Traditional AST Methods
Disk Diffusion (Kirby–Bauer Test): Convenient and cost-effective, providing qualitative results based on the zone of inhibition around antibiotic discs.
- Broth Microdilution: Offers precise Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values, essential for correct dosage selection. Miniaturized 96-well plates allow testing of multiple antibiotics simultaneously.
- Etest: Gradient diffusion method that combines ease of use with quantitative MIC determination, correlating well with broth microdilution results.
Automated AST Systems
Modern laboratories increasingly rely on automated systems like VITEK®, BD Phoenix™, Sensititre™, and MicroScan WalkAway®. These platforms streamline bacterial identification and susceptibility testing, reduce manual workload, and provide faster results for effective patient care.
Emerging Technologies
Rapid AST innovations using optical imaging, micro-channel resonators, and biosensors are being developed. Some technologies can deliver results within hours and may allow direct testing on patient samples without pre-culturing, which is essential for timely therapy, especially in critical care.
Conclusion
AST remains an essential practice of modern clinical microbiology. By providing rapid and accurate results, AST enables targeted antibiotic therapy, reduces the use of broad-spectrum drugs, and improves patient outcomes. Continued innovation and integration of rapid AST technologies into routine practice are vital to combating antibiotic-resistant infections worldwide.
The miniAST Veterinary Antibiotic Susceptibility Test Analyzer, a tool designed to help combat antimicrobial resistance with game-changing features:
| Feature | Benefit |
| Fast Results | Get results in just 6 hours, enabling swift and confident treatment. |
| Automated Interpretations | Instantly deliver precise susceptibility profiles, supporting faster, more informed clinical decisions and optimizing patient care. |
| Dual-Sample Testing | Double the efficiency with simultaneous analysis of two samples at once. |
| High Accuracy | Achieve an impressive 92% accuracy rate compared to traditional disc diffusion tests. |
📌 Note for Veterinarians:
The miniAST Veterinary Antibiotic Susceptibility Test Analyzer is available exclusively to licensed veterinarians and veterinary hospitals.
📩 How to Order miniAST
To purchase miniAST or request a quotation, please contact our sales team or email our customer service:
📧 service@bioguardlabs.com
☎️ Please include your hospital name and contact number so our sales representative can follow up with you directly.
Source:
World Health Organization (WHO) – Antimicrobial Resistance
🔗 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
🔗 https://clsi.org/standards/products/microbiology/
European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST)
MIC cut-offs and AST interpretation standards.
🔗 https://www.eucast.org/clinical_breakpoints/
Bauer AW, Kirby WMM, Sherris JC, Turk M. (1966) Antibiotic susceptibility testing by a standardized single disk method.
Jorgensen JH, Ferraro MJ. (2009) Antimicrobial susceptibility testing: a review of general principles and contemporary practices. Clin Infect Dis. 49:1749–1755.
Puskarich MA et al. (2011) Association between timing of antibiotic administration and mortality from septic shock.