minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)

Introduction

Generally used in reference to a concentration of therapeutic agent necessary to inhibit growth of pathogen.

Methods

• agar diffusion
  • cumbersome
  • useful for anaerobes
• microbroth dilution
  • most common method
  • generally automated & customized
• E-test
  • expensive
  • applicable for individual isolates
• disc diffusion
  • older method
  • gives qualitative result only

More general terms

• antibiotic sensitivity (Kirby-Bauer susceptibility testing)

More specific terms

• Epsilometer Test (Etest)