Development of rapid microbiological methods (RMMs) for evaluation of potency of antimicrobial agents and their measurement uncertainties

Abstract

Agar diffusion method has been used in the evaluation of antimicrobial activity since the discovery of penicillin. Nevertheless, little progress has occurred in order to reduce the time required for the determination of growth inhibition zones. The goal of this project is to develop, optimize and validate rapid microbiological methods for evaluation of potency of antimicrobials, as well as to identify, quantify and assess the main sources ofuncertainty associated with potency. The project will be divided into four steps: step 1) determination of the parameters involved in the formation of inhibition zones and study of mechanisms of diffusion and microbial growth~ 2) influence of culture medium composition on inhibition zones~ 3) development, optimization and validation of rapid microbiological methods for the determination of antimicrobials potencies~ and 4) study of measurement uncertainty associated with antimicrobials potencies. We hope that the results of this project will allow the reduction of the time required for the determination of inhibition zone sizes. Additionally, we hope to contribute to the elucidation of the mechanisms of diffusion and microbial growth, making it possible to identify,quantify and improve the main sources of measurement uncertainty associated with formation of inhibition. (AU)