The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion susceptibility test determines the sensitivity or resistance of pathogenic bacteria to various antimicrobial compounds in order to assist physicians in selecting treatment options their patients. The pathogenic organism is grown on Mueller-Hinton agar in the presence of antimicrobial impregnated filter paper disks. The presence or absence of growth around the disks is an indirect measure of the ability of that compound to inhibit that organism.
