Minimum inhibitory concentration Minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC), in microbiology, is the lowest
concentration of an antimicrobial that will inhibit the visible
growth of a microorganism after overnight incubation. Minimum
inhibitory concentrations are important in diagnostic
laboratories to confirm resistance of microorganisms to an
antimicrobial agent and also to monitor the activity of new
antimicrobial agents. MICs can be determined by broth dilution
methods usually following the guidelines of a reference body
such as the CLSI, BSAC or EUCAST. Another, more modern method is
the E-test method using strips of a gradient of antibiotic
concentration. Clinically, the minimum inhibitory concentrations
are used not only to determine the amount of antibiotic that the
patient will receive but also the type of antibiotic used, which
in turn lowers the opportunity for microbial resistance to
specific antimicrobial agents. - ↑ Andrews, J. M. Determination
of minimum inhibitory concentrations. Journal of Antimi