Definition: Method of measuring the bactericidal activity contained in a patient's serum as a result of antimicrobial therapy. It is used to monitor the therapy in BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS; OSTEOMYELITIS and other serious bacterial infections. As commonly performed, the test is a variation of the broth dilution test. This test needs to be distinguished from testing of the naturally occurring BLOOD BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITY.
do not confuse with BLOOD BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITY (natural bactericidal property of blood) or SERUM BACTERICIDAL ANTIBODY ASSAY (measurement of IMMUNOGLOBULINS in blood that initiate lysis of bacteria)
See AlsoBlood Bactericidal Activity
