1. describing a concentration of an antimicrobial agent that is below the level needed to completely inhibit bacterial growth
Usage: medical; microbiology

Examples

• The researchers tested subinhibitory concentrations of the antibiotic.
• Subinhibitory doses may still affect bacterial behavior without killing the organisms.
• The study examined how bacteria respond to subinhibitory levels of the drug.
• At subinhibitory concentrations, the antibiotic reduced virulence factors.
• Subinhibitory amounts of the compound altered gene expression in the bacteria.
• The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined, and subinhibitory levels were tested below that threshold.