>> Antimicrobial Testing >> Kirby-Bauer Test Method

Contact:
Maria Curry
828-327-7000 ext 4521

Kirby-Bauer

Test Method(s):
    · Kirby-Bauer

Kirby Bauer Antibacterial Method

Kirby-Bauer Test Scope: To test for antibiotic susceptibility, known as dish diffusion, traditionally in the medical sector

  • Bacterium is swabbed on agar, and fabric swatch is placed on top
  • Incubation period for 24-48 hours at body temperature
  • The antimicrobial agent diffuses from the fabric into the agar
  • Organism is killed or growth inhibited if there is no growth in the immediate area around the swatch: called the zone of inhibition

Organisms per test method: S. aureus ATCC 6538 and K.pneumoniae ATCC4352. Additional organisms for testing are available upon request.

Kirby-Bauer works very well for thin woven fabrics. For materials that roll and/or are bulky in construction, the results of these tests are not always conclusive, since the intimate contact with the agar is not possible. In such cases, a quantitative test will give more accurate results.

 

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