GURU NANAK INSTITUTE OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY (An Autonomous Institute)

TOPIC : KIRBY - BAUER DISK DIFFUSION

NAME OF THE STUDENT : SNEHA SAHA

PAPER NAME: PHARMACEUTICAL
MICROBIOLOGY-THEORY

PNR NUMBER: 186012201062

PAPER CODE: R21_PT319T

ACADEMIC SESSION : 2023-24

Affiliated to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology

 INTRODUCTION

 The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method is a widely used test in clinical

microbiology to determine bacterial susceptibility to antimicrobial
agents.[1]

 This method involves measuring the inhibition zones around

antibiotic-impregnated disks on an agar plate to assess bacterial
sensitivity.[1]

 Developed by Kirby and Bauer in 1966, it assists in guiding antibiotic

selection for effective treatment of bacterial infections.[2]

Fig 1: Kirby Bauer Disk Diffusion Test.[2]

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 PROCEDURE OF KIRBY-BAUER DISK DIFFUSION METHOD

 Bacterial Culture Preparation: A pure bacterial culture is

spread evenly on a nutrient agar plate to create a uniform
bacterial lawn.[1]

 Antibiotic Disks Placement: Sterile paper disks infused with

different antibiotics are carefully placed on the agar surface.
[2]

 Incubation: The plates are incubated at an appropriate

temperature, allowing antibiotics to diffuse into the agar and
interact with the bacteria.[2]

 Zone Measurement: After incubation, the diameter of the

zones of inhibition around each antibiotic disk is measured
using a caliper.[1]

Fig 2: Step by step procedure of Kirby Bauer Disk

Diffusion Method.[2]

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 INTERPRETATION AND LIMITATIONS

Interpretation

 The size of the inhibition zone is compared to established

interpretive standards for each antibiotic.[1]

 Larger zones indicate greater sensitivity of bacteria to the antibiotic.

[1]

 Smaller zones or the absence of inhibition zones suggest resistance

to the antibiotic, indicating the need for alternative treatments.[2]
Application
 Used in Antibiotic susceptibility testing, Infection control, Quality
control in antimicrobial production.[2]
Fig 3: Interpretations of Kirby Bauer
Limitations
disk diffusion method.[2]
 The method provides only qualitative results.[1]

 Method is time consuming. [2]

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 CONCLUSION
SUMMARY

 The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method is a cost-effective, and

widely applicable technique for antibiotic susceptibility testing.[1]

 It aids healthcare professionals in selecting appropriate

antibiotics for bacterial infections.[2]

 While it has some limitations the method remains crucial in

clinical settings for monitoring antibiotic resistance patterns.[2]

Fig 4: Photographs of Kirby-Bauer susceptibility

test results after 24 h of incubation at 37 degree
celcius : for Gram(-) strains (a,c,e) and Gram(+)
strains (b,d,f).[2]
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 REFERENCE

[1]. Willey J. M., Sherwood L. M., Woolverton C. J. (2017). Prescott’s Microbiology(10 th

Edition). McGraw-Hill Education. Chapter 9. Pages 190-192

[2]. Drew W. L., Barry A. L., Sherris J. C. (1975). Volume 24 : Reliability of the Kirby-Bauer Disc
Diffusion Method. American Society for Microbiology. p.240–247.
https://doi.org/10.1128/am.24.2.240-247.1972

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