MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Sensitivity analysis

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Sensitivity analysis

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition How the test is performed How to prepare for the test	How the test will feel Why the test is performed What abnormal results mean What the risks are

Alternative names

Antibiotic sensitivity

Definition Return to top

This test determines the effectiveness of antibiotics against microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) that have been isolated from cultures.

Sensitivity analysis may be performed along with:

blood culture
urine culture (clean catch) or urine culture (catheterized specimen)
sputum culture
culture from endocervix
throat culture
wound and other cultures

How the test is performed Return to top

Colonies of microorganisms are combined with different antibiotics to see how well each antibiotic stops them from growing. The test determines the effectiveness of each antibiotic against the particular organism.

How to prepare for the test Return to top

There is no special preparation.

How the test will feel Return to top

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

Why the test is performed Return to top

The test shows which antibiotic drugs should be used to treat an infection.

What abnormal results mean Return to top

If the organism shows "drug resistance" to the antibiotics used in the test, then none of those antibiotics will be effective treatment.

What the risks are Return to top

The risks depend upon the method used for obtaining the specific culture.

Update Date: 5/12/2003

Updated by: Bridget Martell, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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