Evaluating the Activity of Novel Antimicrobial Compounds : A Review of Methods and Techniques

It is well evident that antimicrobial resistance is increasing progressively and resulting in mortality and morbidity due to failures in treatment and continuous increase in health care costs. Although if appropriate antimicrobial drugs are used for treatment, then benefits gained will be unquestionable. Therefore a great attention is now paid towards screening and evaluating methods for antimicrobial activity. Several techniques like Disk Diffusion, Gradient Well Diffusion are discussed that provide cost savings as well as flexibility. The most commonly used methods include Broth Dilution, Agar Dilution methods etc. This review paper throws light on various techniques like Agar Disk Diffusion Method, E-Test Method, Cross Streak Method, Broth Dilution Method, Agar Dilution Method etc. and a detailed idea of advantages and limitations of these methods are discussed.