Selective Toxicity

Toxic enough to harm the microbial agent without being toxic to the host's cells, organs, ect.

Toxic Dosage Level

Dosage level that is toxic to the host.

Therapeutic Dosage Level

Minimum Inhibitiory Concentration

(MIC)

Lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent that prevents bacterial growth in the dilution method of determining antibiotic sensitivity.

Determined by E (epsilometer) Test Strips, Microscan or VITEK machine.

Minimum Bactericidal Concentration

(MBC)

Lowest concentration of antimicrobial agent that will kill a microorganism, as indicated by the absence of growth following subculturing in the dilution method.

Determined by Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion test.