Epsilometer Test (Etest)

Indications

• bacterial infection
  • estimation of antibiotic sensitivity

Clinical significance

• simple way of estimating the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of an antibiotic to an organism
• some debate about how reliable it is, especially with MRSA

Procedure

• uses a drug-impregnated strip that has a gradient of antibiotic concentration, from high to low
• find where the 'elipse' of inhibition crosses the strip

Notes

• specimen preparation is not described

More general terms

• minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)
• point of care test