What are sensitive, intermediate, and resistant antibiotics?

Question

Lydia Adams · Accepted Answer

To achieve simplification a standardised, threshold based assessment scheme is used in which the degree of drug effectiveness is characterised as susceptible, intermediate or resistant.

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing aims to forecast whether antibiotic therapy will be successful or unsuccessful in vivo. Susceptible (earlier sensitive): When a bacterial strain is inhibited in vitro by a drug concentration linked to a high chance of therapeutic success, the strain is said to be susceptible to that particular antibiotic. Intermediate: When a bacterial strain's sensitivity to a particular antibiotic is inhibited in vitro by a drug concentration linked to an unclear therapeutic effect, the strain's sensitivity is deemed to be intermediate. When a bacterial strain is inhibited in vitro by a concentration of the antibiotic that is linked to a high risk of therapeutic failure, it is deemed resistant to that particular antibiotic. The term "intermediate" refers to the possibility that the organism will be eradicated in body parts that the medication can readily access (such as the urinary tract), but it may not be sufficiently effective against the same organisms if they are located in other sites (such as meningitis). Sensitivity testing is used to track changes in bacterial resistance to antibiotics and to identify the best course of action for treating an infection.

Michael Adams · Answer

undefined Sensitive antibiotics are those that effectively kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria at concentrations achievable in the body. Intermediate antibiotics exhibit activity against some strains of bacteria but may not be effective against others, or they may require higher concentrations to be effective. Resistant antibiotics are those to which bacteria have developed resistance, meaning they are no longer effective at killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Ivy Acosta · Answer

undefined Sensitive antibiotics are those that effectively inhibit or kill the target bacteria or microorganism at concentrations achievable within the body without causing significant toxicity to the host. Intermediate antibiotics show activity against the target microorganism, but they may require higher concentrations or have limited efficacy, making them less preferable choices compared to sensitive antibiotics. Resistant antibiotics are ineffective against the target microorganism due to acquired resistance mechanisms, rendering them unable to control or eliminate the infection caused by the resistant microorganism.