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An antibiogram is one of the basic laboratory tests used in medicine, which helps determine the effectiveness of various antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial infections.In this article you will learn what an antibiogram is used for, what the test looks like, how much it costs, how to interpret the results, and our suggestions and recommended articles on this topic.
What is an antibiogram used for?
The antibiogram is an extremely important tool in medicine because it allows doctors to choose the most appropriate antibiotic to treat bacterial infections in patients.Each bacteria may be sensitive or resistant to specific antibiotics, so laboratory testing is necessary to determine which drug is effective in fighting a given infection.Thanks to the antibiogram, unnecessary use of antibiotics and the risk of bacterial resistance are avoided.
What does an antibiogram look like?
The process of conducting an antibiogram involves taking a sample of bacteria from the patient’s infection site, for example blood, urine or tissue.These bacteria are then grown on special media in the laboratory.After obtaining the appropriate number of bacteria, their properties are tested in terms of sensitivity to various antibiotics.
For this purpose, various antibiotics are applied to agar plates on which bacteria grow in the form of drug-soaked disks.After a few days of incubation, it is observed which antibiotics inhibit the growth of bacteria and which do not.The results are then presented in the form of a table in which the antibiotics that acted on a given bacterium are marked.
How much does an antibiogram cost?
The cost of performing an antibiogram may vary and depends on several factors.First, the cost is related to the type of sample that needs to be tested.A blood antibiogram may be more expensive than a urine antibiogram.Secondly, the price may vary depending on the laboratory and the region where the test is performed.In Poland, the price of an antibiogram usually ranges from PLN 50 to PLN 200.
Interpretation of antibiogram results
The interpretation of antibiogram results is crucial for the proper treatment of the patient.The result table shows the antibiotics that worked on the bacteria and those that were ineffective.Based on these results, the doctor selects the most appropriate antibiotic that will be effective in fighting a given infection.It is worth noting that the results of the antibiogram are adjusted to a given patient and a specific case.
Your suggestions
If you are a patient who has had an antibiogram performed, remember to follow your doctor’s recommendations and timely antibiotic treatment.Also avoid stopping treatment yourself, even if you feel better.It is important to ensure that all bacteria have been eradicated to avoid resistance.
Recommended articles
If you are interested in the topic of antibiotics, antibiograms and infection treatment, we recommend reading the following articles:
- “Antibiotics – how do they work and when are they needed?”
- “Bacteria resistance to antibiotics – causes and effects”
- “Principles of proper use of antibiotics”
With knowledge about the antibiogram and proper treatment of infections, we can jointly counteract the problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics and take care of our health.