If incubation of a Kirby-Bauer plate is delayed, what effect is observed?

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Multiple Choice

If incubation of a Kirby-Bauer plate is delayed, what effect is observed?

The test’s readout depends on how far the antibiotic diffuses into the agar during the time bacteria have to grow. If incubation is delayed, the antibiotic has more time to diffuse before the organisms start substantial growth. When growth finally occurs in the presence of this more diffused antibiotic, a larger zone of inhibition can appear. This makes the organism seem susceptible to the antibiotic even if it might not be under the proper, timely incubation conditions. Hence, delayed incubation can lead to a falsely susceptible result due to premature or excessive diffusion of the antibiotic.

The test’s readout depends on how far the antibiotic diffuses into the agar during the time bacteria have to grow. If incubation is delayed, the antibiotic has more time to diffuse before the organisms start substantial growth. When growth finally occurs in the presence of this more diffused antibiotic, a larger zone of inhibition can appear. This makes the organism seem susceptible to the antibiotic even if it might not be under the proper, timely incubation conditions. Hence, delayed incubation can lead to a falsely susceptible result due to premature or excessive diffusion of the antibiotic.

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