초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for performing microbial antibiotic susceptibility testing include disposable, multi-chambered susceptibility plates and an automated plate handler and image acquisition and processing instrument. The susceptibility plates are inoculated with a microorganism (any suitable orga

A method and apparatus for performing microbial antibiotic susceptibility testing include disposable, multi-chambered susceptibility plates and an automated plate handler and image acquisition and processing instrument. The susceptibility plates are inoculated with a microorganism (any suitable organism such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae or viruses) and anti-microbial agent(s) are applied such that the microorganism is exposed to a variety of concentrations, or a gradient of each anti-microbial agent. The plates are then placed in the instrument, which monitors and measures the growth (or lack thereof) of the microorganisms. This data is used to determine the susceptibility of the microorganism to the antibiotics. Such a system automates antimicrobial susceptibility testing using solid media and Kirby-Bauer standardized result reporting. The system provides a level of automation previously associated only with broth microdilution testing, while retaining the advantages of the manual disk diffusion test.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A method for determining the existence and/or degree of resistance of a microorganism to one or more antimicrobial agents, each at one or more concentrations, comprising:providing a container having a plurality of separate compartments, each compartment having therein a solid or se

[ We claim:] [1.] A method for determining the existence and/or degree of resistance of a microorganism to one or more antimicrobial agents, each at one or more concentrations, comprising:providing a container having a plurality of separate compartments, each compartment having therein a solid or semi-solid microbial growth medium;adding a microorganism to one or more of said separate compartments;placing an antimicrobial agent onto a surface of, or into, the microbial growth medium in one or more of said plurality of separate compartments;incubating before and/or after said placing step, said container having said microorganism and antimicrobial agent in at least one compartment thereof; anddetermining the existence and/or extent of resistance of said microorganism to said antimicrobial agent based on the existence and/or size of the inhibition zone in said compartment.