AST

AST is an acronym that stands for two different terms, depending on the context. In a microbiology and clinical setting, it most commonly refers to Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, a laboratory method used to determine which antibiotics will be effective in treating a specific bacterial infection. However, in general medicine, AST can also refer to Aspartate transaminase, an enzyme whose levels are measured in a blood test to assess liver function and health.