title: Effect of storage of Mueller-Hinton agar plates on zone sizes for antimicrobial testing.
abstract: The length of time Mueller-Hinton agar plates can be stored at 4 C without affecting the size of zones of inhibition in susceptibility testing by the Bauer-Kirby method was studied. It was found that these plates can be stored for 3 weeks at 4 C without an appreciable affect on zone sizes. Storage of plates in sealed plastic bags did not alter the results significantly. The findings indicate that commercially prepared Mueller-Hinton agar plates, which may be several days old when received at the laboratory, are suitable for use in routine susceptibility tests by the Bauer-Kirby method.
mesh_terms: D000362:Agar; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003470:Culture Media; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000187:drug effects; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D007709:Klebsiella / Q000187:drug effects; D008722:Methods; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010969:Plastics; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000187:drug effects; D012760:Shigella / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D010969:Plastics; D000362:Agar