epidemiological cut-off values

Epidemiological cut-off values (ECOFFs) are thresholds used by scientists to distinguish bacteria that are naturally susceptible to a particular antibiotic from those that might be resistant. When testing bacteria in a lab, the ECOFF helps determine if a bacteria strain is likely to be treatable with the antibiotic or if it has developed resistance, without implying clinical success or failure. Essentially, it’s a scientific marker that guides understanding of bacterial behavior on a population level, aiding in surveillance and informing appropriate antibiotic use to combat resistance.