What are the factors that influence the size of the zone of inhibition of an antibiotic when employing the Kirby-Bauer method? How can this method determine if an antimicrobial agent is bactericidal or bacteriostatic?

Disinfectants and the Kirby-Bauer Method in Microbiology

Disinfectants and the Kirby-Bauer Method

Using the assigned readings and the Internet, research about disinfectants and the Kirby-Bauer method.

Based on your research, respond to the following:

• What are the three mechanisms by which disinfectants work? Describe.

• Which microbes are most susceptible versus most resistant to disinfectants? Why?

• What are the factors that influence the size of the zone of inhibition of an antibiotic when employing the Kirby-Bauer method? How can this method determine if an antimicrobial agent is bactericidal or bacteriostatic?

• Can a bacteriostatic agent become bactericidal in the long run or vice versa? Why?
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