Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Research Report By Sample Type (Blood Culture, Urine Culture, Pus Culture, Sputum Culture, Cerebrospinal Fluid Culture, Other Sample Types), By Pathogen Type (Gram-Positive Bacteria, Gram-Negative Bacteria, Anaerobic Bacteria, Mycobacteria, Fungi, Parasites), By Test Method (Disk Diffusion, Automated Susceptibility Testing Systems, Agar Dilution Method, Microdilution Method, Molecular Susceptibility Testing), By End User (Hospitals, Clinical Laboratories, Diagnostic Centers, Research Centers, Pharmac

Global Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Overview

As per MRFR analysis, the antibiotic susceptibility testing market size was estimated at 3.5 (USD Billion) in 2023.

The antibiotic susceptibility testing market industry is expected to grow from 3.79 (USD Billion) in 2024 to 6.7 (USD Billion) by 2032. The antibiotic susceptibility testing market CAGR (growth rate) is expected to be around 6.53% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032).

Key Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Trends Highlighted

The current trends in the antibiotic susceptibility testing market reveal a shift towards automation and advanced technologies. Laboratories are increasingly adopting automated systems to enhance efficiency, minimize human error, and reduce turnaround time. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms allows for faster analysis and interpretation of susceptibility results. This automation trend is expected to continue in the coming years.

Key market drivers include the rising prevalence of infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance, along with the growing demand for rapid and accurate diagnostic tests. The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has emphasized the need for effective susceptibility testing to guide appropriate antibiotic selection and prevent further spread of resistance. Moreover, government initiatives and regulatory frameworks encouraging the development and adoption of standardized susceptibility testing methods are also contributing to the market's growth.

Opportunities for market expansion lie in the development of novel testing methods, such as multiplex assays capable of simultaneously testing for multiple antibiotics. Additionally, the potential for point-of-care testing devices that provide rapid and decentralized testing capabilities presents significant opportunities for market expansion.

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Drivers

Rising Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance belongs to the group of important public health problems, because it leads to infections resistant to treatment. The World Health Organization recognizes AMR as one of the top 10 global health threats. The growth of its prevalence is one of the main drivers for the global antibiotic susceptibility testing market.

AST is a laboratory testing procedure for identifying the range of antibiotics effective against a specific bacterial isolate. It is widely used for selecting the proper antibiotic for treatment of bacterial infections. The growth of the prevalence of AMR continues to be the main driver for the growth of this market.

Technological Advancements

Technological advancements are another key driver of the growth of the global antibiotic susceptibility testing market. The development of new and improved AST methods is making it possible to test for a wider range of antibiotics and to obtain results more quickly and accurately.

For example, automated AST systems can test for multiple antibiotics simultaneously and provide results in a matter of hours. These advancements are making AST more accessible and affordable, which is expected to lead to increased adoption of AST in clinical settings.

Increasing Focus on Infection Prevention and Control

The growing emphasis on infection prevention and control is driving the Global Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market’s growth. Hospitals and other healthcare bodies are realizing the significance of AST in preventing and containing infections.

By performing AST, healthcare providers can determine carriers of resistant bacteria and consequently prevent the transmission of such bacteria to other patients. In addition, hospitals can track developments in their infection prevention and control practices including hand hygiene and isolation precautions.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Segment Insights

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Sample Type Insights

The global antibiotic susceptibility testing market is segmented by sample type into blood culture, urine culture, pus culture, sputum culture, cerebrospinal fluid culture, and other sample types.

Blood Culture: Blood culture is the most common sample type used for antibiotic susceptibility testing, accounting for over 30% of the global market revenue in 2023. The high prevalence of bloodstream infections and the need for rapid identification of causative pathogens drive the demand for blood culture-based susceptibility testing. Technological advancements, such as automated blood culture systems and rapid diagnostic tests, have further contributed to the growth of this segment.

Urine Culture: Urine culture is another widely used sample type, particularly for diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTIs). The increasing incidence of UTIs, especially among the elderly and immunocompromised individuals, has led to a rise in the demand for urine culture-based susceptibility testing. The availability of non-invasive urine collection methods and rapid diagnostic tests has also supported the growth of this segment.

Pus Culture: Pus culture is primarily used to identify and determine the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria causing skin and soft tissue infections. The growing prevalence of surgical site infections and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have contributed to the increasing demand for pus culture-based susceptibility testing. Technological advancements, such as wound swabs and aspiration techniques, have improved the accuracy and efficiency of pus culture testing.

Sputum Culture: Sputum culture is used to diagnose and determine the antibiotic susceptibility of respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis. The high prevalence of respiratory infections and the need for targeted antibiotic therapy drive the demand for sputum culture-based susceptibility testing. The development of non-invasive sputum collection methods and rapid diagnostic tests has further supported the growth of this segment.

Other Sample Types: Other sample types used for antibiotic susceptibility testing include cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture, which is used to diagnose meningitis and other central nervous system infections, and stool culture, which is used to identify and determine the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria causing gastrointestinal infections. The demand for these sample types varies depending on the prevalence of specific infections and the availability of alternative diagnostic methods.

Overall, the sample type segment of the global antibiotic susceptibility testing market is expected to witness steady growth in the coming years, driven by the increasing prevalence of infectious diseases, the need for accurate and timely diagnosis, and the development of innovative technologies.

Global Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market, by Sample Type 2023 & 2032 (USD Billion)

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Pathogen Type Insights

The pathogen type segment plays a critical role in the global antibiotic susceptibility testing market segmentation. Among the key pathogen types, gram-positive bacteria held the largest market share of around 38% in 2023 and is projected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period.

The widespread prevalence of gram-positive bacterial infections, such as those caused by Staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus pneumoniae, drives the demand for effective antibiotic susceptibility testing solutions. Gram-negative bacteria also represent a significant market segment, accounting for approximately 32% of the global revenue in 2023.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, has heightened the need for accurate and rapid susceptibility testing to guide appropriate antibiotic selection.

Anaerobic bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and parasites collectively contribute to the remaining market share, with each segment exhibiting unique growth dynamics based on the prevalence of specific infections and the availability of effective diagnostic solutions.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Test Method Insights

The global antibiotic susceptibility testing market segmentation by test method includes disk diffusion, automated susceptibility testing systems, agar dilution method, microdilution method, and molecular susceptibility testing.

Disk diffusion held the largest market share in 2023, owing to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and wide availability. Automated susceptibility testing systems are expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, due to their accuracy, efficiency, and ability to handle high sample volumes. In 2023, the global antibiotic susceptibility testing market revenue for disk diffusion was valued at 1.2 billion USD, and it is projected to reach 1.6 billion USD by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.5%.

Automated susceptibility testing systems market was valued at 0.9 billion USD in 2023, and it is anticipated to reach 1.5 billion USD by 2032, with a CAGR of 6.3%. The agar dilution method market was valued at 0.6 billion USD in 2023, and it is expected to reach 0.9 billion USD by 2032, with a CAGR of 4.9%. The microdilution method market was valued at 0.5 billion USD in 2023, and it is projected to reach 0.8 billion USD by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.6%. The molecular susceptibility testing market was valued at 0.3 billion USD in 2023, and it is anticipated to reach 0.6 billion USD by 2032, with a CAGR of 8.2%.

The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, rising demand for rapid and accurate antibiotic susceptibility testing, and technological advancements in diagnostic methods are driving the growth of the global antibiotic susceptibility testing market.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market End User Insights

The end user segment of the global antibiotic susceptibility testing market is segmented into hospitals, clinical laboratories, diagnostic centers, research centers, and pharmaceutical companies. Hospitals account for the largest share of the market, owing to the high volume of antibiotic susceptibility testing performed in these settings.

Clinical laboratories are also a major end user of antibiotic susceptibility testing services, as they provide testing services to hospitals and other healthcare providers. Diagnostic centers are increasingly offering antibiotic susceptibility testing services, as they seek to expand their service offerings and meet the growing demand for these tests.

Research centers are also using antibiotic susceptibility testing to conduct research on the effectiveness of new antibiotics and to develop new methods for detecting and treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Pharmaceutical companies are also using antibiotic susceptibility testing to develop new antibiotics and to assess the effectiveness of their existing antibiotics.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Application Insights

The global antibiotic susceptibility testing market segmentation by application can be divided into infectious disease diagnosis, antimicrobial stewardship, research and development, clinical trials, surveillance and infection control.

The infectious disease diagnosis segment held the largest market share in 2023 and is expected to continue dominating the market throughout the forecast period. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of infectious diseases, rising demand for accurate and rapid diagnosis, and technological advancements in antibiotic susceptibility testing methods.

The Antimicrobial Stewardship segment is expected to witness significant growth owing to the increasing focus on optimizing antibiotic use and reducing antimicrobial resistance. The Research and Development segment is anticipated to grow steadily due to the ongoing research activities aimed at developing new antibiotics and improving susceptibility testing techniques. The Clinical Trials segment is expected to contribute significantly to the market growth as antibiotic susceptibility testing plays a crucial role in evaluating the efficacy and safety of new drugs.

The surveillance and infection control segment is projected to grow at a moderate pace, driven by the need for continuous monitoring of antibiotic resistance patterns and implementing infection control measures to prevent the spread of infections.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Regional Insights

Regionally, North America held the largest market share in 2023 and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance, coupled with the rising demand for rapid and accurate antibiotic susceptibility testing, is driving market growth in this region.

Europe is another significant market, with a well-established healthcare infrastructure and a high adoption rate of advanced diagnostic technologies. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to witness substantial growth over the coming years, owing to the increasing healthcare expenditure, growing awareness about antibiotic resistance, and the presence of a large patient population. South America and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) are also expected to contribute to the overall market growth, albeit at a slower pace compared to other regions.

Global Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market, by Region 2023 & 2032 (USD Billion)

Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Key Players and Competitive Insights

Major players in the antibiotic susceptibility testing market are constantly striving to gain a competitive edge by introducing new products and technologies. For instance, in March 2023, bioMérieux launched the VITEK MS PRIME, a new mass spectrometry-based identification system for rapid and accurate identification of microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This launch is expected to strengthen bioMérieux's position in the market and drive growth for the company.

Leading antibiotic susceptibility testing market players are also focusing on strategic partnerships and acquisitions to expand their product portfolios and geographic reach. In January 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific acquired Mesa Biotech, a leading provider of antimicrobial susceptibility testing solutions. This acquisition is expected to enhance Thermo Fisher's capabilities in the antibiotic susceptibility testing market and provide customers with a comprehensive range of solutions.

bioMérieux is a global leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics, with a strong focus on the development and manufacturing of antibiotic susceptibility testing solutions. The company's VITEK 2 and VITEK MS systems are widely used in clinical laboratories around the world for the rapid and accurate identification and susceptibility testing of bacteria and fungi. bioMérieux is committed to innovation and has a strong pipeline of new products and technologies in development. The company's strong brand recognition, global presence, and commitment to quality make it a formidable competitor in the Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market.

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) is another major player in the Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market. The company offers a comprehensive range of solutions for antibiotic susceptibility testing, including the BD Phoenix and BD Phoenix M50 systems. BD is known for its high-quality products and strong customer support. The company has a global presence and is well-positioned to meet the needs of customers in both developed and emerging markets. BD's focus on innovation and commitment to providing comprehensive solutions make it a strong competitor in the Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market.

Key Companies in the Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Include:

• BD


• Merck Milliporenpara


• QIAGEN


• Alere Technologies


• Thermo Fisher Scientific


• bioControl System


• IUL Diagnostic


• Beckman Coulter


• Cepheid


• bioMérieux


• Hologic


• Sysmex


• Roche Diagnostics


• Abbott


• Copan

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Developments

The global antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) market is poised to expand significantly, driven by the rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the need for accurate and timely identification of resistant bacteria. In 2023, the market was valued at around USD 3.79 billion and is projected to reach USD 6.7 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.53% during the forecast period (2024-2032).

Key factors contributing to market growth include increasing healthcare expenditure, technological advancements in AST methods, and the growing demand for rapid and accurate diagnostic solutions. Recent developments in the market include the launch of automated AST systems, the development of new rapid diagnostic tests, and the increasing adoption of molecular diagnostics for AST.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Segmentation Insights

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Sample Type Outlook

• Blood Culture


• Urine Culture


• Pus Culture


• Sputum Culture


• Cerebrospinal Fluid Culture


• Other Sample Types

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Pathogen Type Outlook

• Gram-Positive Bacteria


• Gram-Negative Bacteria


• Anaerobic Bacteria


• Mycobacteria


• Fungi


• Parasites

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Test Method Outlook

• Disk Diffusion


• Automated Susceptibility Testing Systems


• Agar Dilution Method


• Microdilution Method


• Molecular Susceptibility Testing

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market End User Outlook

• Hospitals


• Clinical Laboratories


• Diagnostic Centers


• Research Centers


• Pharmaceutical Companies

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Application Outlook

• Infectious Disease Diagnosis


• Antimicrobial Stewardship


• Research and Development


• Clinical Trials


• Surveillance and Infection Control

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Market Regional Outlook

• North America


• Europe


• South America


• Asia Pacific


• Middle East and Africa