Title:

The effect of the concentration of the antibiotic Meropenem (1 µg/mL, 4

µg/mL, 16 µg/mL, 64 µg/mL, 256 µg/mL) on the growth of Acinetobacter
baumannii during a 24-period, measured by the minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC) using the broth macrodilution method

Aim:

SOI: We make decisions for the good of the society based on evidence of small changes that
occur over time.

In the context of this unit’s statement of inquiry, an experiment that is testing how
effectively different concentrations of an antibiotic are able to inhibit the growth of a
bacterium allows for an exploration of the ways in which bacteria have over time developed
antibiotic resistance to better protect themselves. Antibiotic resistance refers to the ability of
bacteria or other microorganisms to develop defense mechanisms against the antibiotics that
were originally effective in killing them (“About Antimicrobial Resistance”). This ability can
develop in a variety of ways such as through mutation, horizontal gene transfer, or the
overuse of the same type of antibiotic (Srakocic). In other words, this experiment is a way to
investigate the idea of evolutionary adaptation. Especially in the world of health and sickness,
small changes are constantly afoot and an antibiotic concentration that was effective a few
years ago, may be harmless to bacteria today. It is only through experiments that carefully
examine the subtle changes that have taken form throughout the years, that it is possible to
make decisions about how current actions taken may need to be modified, and what new
decisions need to be made for the well-being of society.

Background Information:

As the number of bacterial strains and diseases continues to rise, it is necessary to

develop strategies that safeguard peoples’ health and adapt to the evolving landscape.
Acinetobacter baumannii is a type of bacteria belonging to a genus of gram-negative bacteria
called Acinetobacter (Liu). This bacterium is associated with a range of infections, including
pneumonia, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, and wound infections
(“Acinetobacter Baumannii Infection”). It is highly contagious and can spread through
contact with contaminated surfaces or simply through person-to-person contact
(Bennington-Castro). The bacterium is also known to be an opportunistic pathogen; it
commonly causes infections in individuals with compromised immune systems whose
resistance against pathogens is already impaired, such as critically ill patients, elderly
individuals, and people with underlying health problems (“Acinetobacter Baumannii
Infection”). As such, Acinetobacter baumannii is a large contributor to hospital-acquired
infections, particularly in intensive care units (Liu).
Along with that, the bacterium has garnered a notorious reputation due to its
resistance mechanisms that have allowed it to become a multidrug resistant bacterium and