An in vitro model for monitoring bacterial responses to antibiotic agents under simulated in vivo conditions.

A new in vitro model for the study of bacterial responses to antibacterial agents at exponentially varying concentrations, i. e. at given elimination half-life values simulating in vivo conditions, is described. The initial concentrations and elimination rates of the agents, composition of bacterial milieu, and commencing density of the bacterial population may be altered. The principal responses of key gram-negative and gram-positive species to bactericidal and bacteriostatic agents and experimental variation are described.