Antimicrobial susceptibility
Susceptibility testing estimates likely inhibition of an isolated microorganism by specified drugs using standardized laboratory methods and interpretive breakpoints.
Open interactive lesson & self-check ↗Antimicrobial susceptibility — learning map
Original conceptual SVG · scalableOriginal schematic relationship map for this topic; relationships are organized for study, not intended as an anatomical depiction or a diagnostic algorithm.
Identify the organism
The significance of an isolate depends on specimen source, collection quality, host context and whether the organism is a pathogen, contaminant or colonizer.
Measure inhibition
Broth methods may determine a minimum inhibitory concentration; disk diffusion measures an inhibition zone under standardized conditions.
Apply breakpoints
Susceptible, intermediate or resistant categories depend on the organism–drug combination, standard version and test method.
Clinical integration
A laboratory category is not identical to a clinical outcome; drug penetration, source control, dosing and host factors also influence response.
Reference and next reading
Explore the original curriculum and publisher-hosted resources for full-depth reading; this note is an original schematic introduction, not an exhaustive chapter.