: Specifically refers to antimicrobial substances naturally produced by microorganisms (like penicillin) or their semi-synthetic derivatives.
Antimicrobics work by targeting essential biological processes in microbes that are absent or different in human cells. The five primary targets in bacteria include: antimicrobic
: Major types include antibacterials (oral and topical), antifungals , and antiseptics . 2. Mechanism of Action antimicrobic
: Stopping the creation of vital enzymes and structures. antimicrobic
: The lowest concentration of an antimicrobic required to prevent visible growth of the pathogen.
Testing is used to determine which specific antimicrobic will be effective against a particular pathogen. Common methods include:
