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?