minimum inhibitory concentration


minimum inhibitory concentration

The minimum concentration of an antibiotic required to inhibit bacterial growth in a clinical isolate (e.g., a blood-borne infection), which is used as a surrogate indicator of the agent’s efficacy.

minimum inhibitory concentration

Lab medicine The minimum antibiotic concentration needed to inhibit bacterial growth from a clinical isolate–eg, a bloodborne infection, which is a form of antimicrobial susceptibility testing. See Minimum bactericidal concentration.

minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)

the lowest concentration of a chemotherapeutic agent (see CHEMOTHERAPY that will prevent growth of the test ORGANISM.