Importance of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values

Abstract

The MIC can guide the choice of antimicrobial used in therapy by predicting efficacy. If pharmacokinetic and dynamic (PKPD) principles are met by careful selection of a specific antimicrobial given at an appropriate dosage, this will relate to clinical cure, eradication of carrier status of a specific organism, as well as prevention of selection of resistance.

Interpretation of the MIC requires an understanding of the mode of activity for the different antimicrobial classes.