A Gram-negative bacterial population of 10⁸ colony forming units (CFU) was treated with a high concentration of a carbapenem antibiotic. To determine the number of surviving cells at particular times, culture samples were plated on antibiotic-free medium and the number of viable cells determined. After 2 hours the number of viable cells was 10⁴ CFU. After 4 hours the number of surviving cells was 8 x 10³ CFU and after 10 hours there was 5 x 10³ CFU.
What would be a good option for eradication of this surviving population?

Question

A Gram-negative bacterial population of 10⁸ colony forming units (CFU) was treated with a high concentration of a carbapenem antibiotic. To determine the number of surviving cells at particular times, culture samples were plated on antibiotic-free medium and the number of viable cells determined. After 2 hours the number of viable cells was 10⁴ CFU. After 4 hours the number of surviving cells was 8 x 10³ CFU and after 10 hours there was 5 x 10³ CFU.

What would be a good option for eradication of this surviving population?

Answer

Swap to vancomycin

Answer

Use the carbapenem at increased concentration

Answer

Use the carbapenem plus an aminoglycoside

Answer

Use the carbapenem at the same concentration but add clavulanic acid

Crowdly

A Gram-negative bacterial population of 10 8 colony forming units (CFU) was tre...

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