Answer :
Final answer:
The Kirby-Bauer test assesses antibiotic efficacy by measuring zones of inhibition around antibiotic disks placed on agar. It considers growth medium composition, antibiotic solubility, and bacterial strain, but it does not account for host immunity, which is crucial in real-world infections. Therefore, while the test is useful for determining antibiotic sensitivity, it does not reflect the complete picture of treatment efficacy in living organisms.
Explanation:
The Kirby-Bauer Test
The Kirby-Bauer test, also known as the disk diffusion test, is a standardized method used to assess the efficacy of antibiotics against bacteria. In this test, antibiotic-impregnated paper disks are placed on an agar plate inoculated with a bacterial strain. After incubation, the zones of inhibition around the disks are measured to determine the sensitivity of the bacteria to the antibiotics.
Factors Considered in the Test
Several factors influence the results of the Kirby-Bauer test, including:
- Growth medium composition: The type of agar used can affect the growth of the bacterial strain and the diffusion rate of the antibiotic.
- Antibiotic solubility in the agar: The solubility affects how well the antibiotic diffuses through the agar, impacting the size of the inhibition zone.
- Bacterial strain: Different bacterial strains may have varying levels of susceptibility to antibiotics, making this a critical factor in the test.
Factor Not Considered
However, one factor that the Kirby-Bauer test does not take into account is host immunity. The response of the host's immune system is not a factor in this in vitro test, as it only measures the direct impact of the antibiotic on the bacteria in a controlled environment, independent of any biological defense mechanisms.
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