Methods for determining the sensitivity of zoonotic bacteria to antibiotics

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including zoonotic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, etc.) represent one of the most serious threats to public health. In accordance with the provisions of the national Strategy and action plan to prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance, monitoring studies of bacteria isolated from humans and animals are necessary. A key component of monitoring is to obtain reliable laboratory results for determining the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics, for which it is important to choose the right method. The article provides information on the most common methods for determining sensitivity (the method of serial dilutions in broth, the disco- diffusion method and the epsilometric test), highlights their main advantages and disadvantages, provides an overview of sensitivity determination protocols (EUCAST, CLSI and MAXMACH), and also provides a description of modern automated and semi-automated test systems (Sensititre, Vitek-2, Phoenix and Microscan).