Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing in Clinical Microbiology: Ensuring Effective Treatment and Resistance Monitoring

Abstract

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) represents a cornerstone of modern clinical microbiology, providing essential data for guiding therapeutic decisions and monitoring antimicrobial resistance patterns. As the global burden of antimicrobial resistance continues to escalate, AST has evolved from a simple laboratory procedure to a sophisticated diagnostic tool integral to patient care and public health surveillance. This paper reviews the principles, methodologies, and clinical applications of AST, examines current challenges in resistance detection, and discusses emerging technologies that promise to revolutionize susceptibility testing. We explore the role of AST in antimicrobial stewardship programs and its contribution to combating the growing crisis of multidrug-resistant organisms.