Wendy Ramos

Analysis
Based on the data presented in the study done using the Kirby Bauer Method, I have
come to the conclusion that there are three antimicrobial agents to which the microorganisms
are most sensitive. These conclusions were based off the average susceptibility of the
microorganisms to the antimicrobial agents by measuring the zone of inhibition in units of
millimeters. Thus the antimicrobial agent (whether it be a disinfectant, antiseptic, or
antibiotic) with the largest average zone of inhibition showing in Figure 1, Figure 2, and
Figure 3 is the most effective in preventing bacterial growth.
The first antimicrobial type analyzed was disinfectants. As shown in Figure 1,
Hypochlorite Bleach has the largest average area of inhibition for all three microorganisms.
Microorganism 2 is especially sensitive to this disinfectant. Advantages of this disinfectant
are the low cost, easy storage and transport. Drawbacks include corrosiveness to metals
(when used in high concentrations) and skin irritation. It oxidizes the sulfhydryl group on the
amino acid cysteine and interferes with disulfide bridges on numerous enzymes. The
resulting denaturation of the enzymes is permanent and suspends metabolic reactions.
Hypochlorite bleach should be used in real life to disinfect all inanimate objects with which
the microorganisms have come into contact. For example, surgical tables, surgical tools, etc.,
should all be disinfected with the hypochlorite bleach to prevent bacterial growth in these
areas.
The second antimicrobial type analyzed was that of the antiseptics. Hydrogen
Peroxide, as shown in Figure 2, is the agent to which the microorganisms have the highest
average sensitivity. Microorganism 2 has a significant sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide. Thus
based off the conclusions from Figure 2, Hydrogen peroxide would be the best antiseptic to

use in the hospital to prevent the growth of these bacteria, specifically in sites that are still
healing from surgery. Hydrogen peroxide is a colorless, caustic liquid that decomposes in the
presence of light, metals or catalase into water and oxygen gas. Its effect on organisms is due
to the direct and indirect action of oxygen. Oxygen forms hydroxyl free radicals which are
highly toxic to cells. Hydrogen peroxide is bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal, and in higher
concentrations, sporicidal. It serves a variety of needs such as skin and wound cleansing, and
mouth washing. One major benefit of using hydrogen peroxide to prevent the growth of
these microorganisms is that apart from being the best fitted antiseptic to use in this scenario,
it is also the second most effective disinfectant as seen in figure 1. Thus not only can the
hydrogen peroxide be used to prevent the spread of the bacteria on patients wounds, although
not the most effective, it can be used to disinfect inanimate objects with which the
microorganisms may come into contact.
The last antimicrobial type analyzed was that of antibiotics. Streptomycin was the
most effective antibiotic shown to prevent bacterial growth in all three microorganisms.
Streptomycin is a broad antimicrobial spectrum drug that targets the protein synthesis of a
cell. It is categorized as an aminoglycoside. It is composed of one or more amino sugars and
an aminocyclitol ring. These compounds are the products of various species of soil
actinomycetes. It is especially useful in treating infections caused by aerobic gram-negative
rods and certain gram-positive bacteria. Streptomycin may be given intramuscularly or
intravenously. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, vertigo, rash, and fever. Although it is
the least nephrotoxic out of the aminoglycosides, it may cause kidney damage.
In conclusion, in the scenario presented, these three antimicrobial agents would be the
best to be used to fight the spread of the three microorganisms found during the cultures and
subcultures. As we have seen, they all do come with their own perks and drawbacks. Also we
can see that in single cases it may be best to consider additional options, as it was in the case

of microorganism 2 being very sensitive to penicillin. Over all it is clear that no one
antimicrobial agent can be used for every type of bacteria, nor can they all be used the same
way or for the same purposes. That is why the Kirby Bauer Method is so helpful. In scenarios
like this, where there are more than one microorganism at play and more than one viable
solution, it is always best to use the tools that one has at hand to take all steps possible to
come up with the best, most effective way to maintain a clean and safe environment.