Sensitivity test


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Sensitivity test


A sensitivity (or susceptibility) test is done to help choose the antibiotic that will be most effective against the specific types of bacteria or fungus infecting an individual person.

Some types of bacteria or fungus are resistant to certain antibiotics because of differences in their genetic material (genes). Infections caused by resistant bacteria or fungi are not cured by treatment with those antibiotics.

Drug-resistant bacteria or fungi usually develop because the entire course of antibiotic treatment was not completed. Stopping drug treatment early kills only the bacteria or fungi that are sensitive to the drugs, allowing the resistant bacteria or fungi to multiply and cause an infection.

Credits


Author Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer Patrice Burgess, MD

- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Joseph O'Donnell, MD

- Hematology
Last Updated December 4, 2006

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Last updated: December 04, 2006
Author: Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By: Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine, Joseph O'Donnell, MD - Hematology
Editors: Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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