Bactericidal

Definition

Bactericidal agents are antimicrobial drugs that kill bacteria. They differ from bacteriostatic agents, which inhibit bacterial growth without directly killing the bacteria.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bactericidal agents work by disrupting critical processes in bacterial cells, such as cell wall synthesis or protein production.
2. Penicillin is a classic example of a bactericidal antibiotic that targets bacterial cell walls.
3. Bactericidal efficacy can depend on drug concentration and exposure time.
4. These agents are particularly important in treating infections where the patient's immune system is compromised.
5. Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) tests determine the lowest concentration of an antibacterial agent required to kill a particular bacterium.

Review Questions

• How do bactericidal agents differ from bacteriostatic agents?
• What is the significance of Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) in determining the effectiveness of a bactericidal agent?
• Can you name an example of a commonly used bactericidal antibiotic and describe its mechanism of action?

Related terms

Antibiotic: A type of antimicrobial drug used to treat bacterial infections.

Bacteriostatic:

Agents that inhibit bacterial growth but don't necessarily kill the bacteria.

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC):

The lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent that prevents visible growth of a microorganism.