Development of rapid microbiological methods (RMMs) for evaluation of potency of antimicrobial agents and their measurement uncertainties

Author(s)

Alessandro Morais Saviano

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2020-01-30

Examining board members

Felipe Rebello Lourenço; Túlia de Souza Botelho Almeida; Daniela Dal Molim Ghisleni; Ana Carolina Kogawa

• Advisor: Felipe Rebello Lourenço

Abstract

Agar diffusion method has been used in the evaluation of antimicrobial activity since the discovery of penicillin. Nevertheless, little progress has occurred in order to reduce the time required for the determination of growth inhibition zones. The goal of this project was to develop, optimize and validate rapid microbiological methods (RMMs) for evaluation of potency of antimicrobials, as well as to identify, quantify and assess the main sources of uncertainty associated with potency. The project was divided into four steps: 1) influence of culture medium composition on inhibition zones; 2) study of measurement uncertainty associated with antimicrobials potencies; 3) development, optimization and validation of rapid microbiological methods (RMMs) for the determination of antimicrobials potencies and 4) determination of the parameters involved in the formation of inhibition zones and study of mechanisms of diffusion and microbial growth. The results of this project allowed the reduction of the time required for the determination of inhibition zone sizes. Additionally, it contributed to the elucidation of the mechanisms of diffusion and microbial growth, making it possible to identify and quantify the main sources of measurement uncertainty associated with formation of inhibition zone sizes. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/04100-8 - Development of rapid microbiological methods (RMMs) for evaluation of potency of antimicrobial agents and their measurement uncertainties
• Grantee: Alessandro Morais Saviano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate