Controlling Microbial Growth in the Body: Antimicrobial Drugs

These flashcards cover key concepts related to antimicrobial drugs, their mechanisms of action, resistance, and clinical considerations as outlined in the lecture.

What is the main purpose of antimicrobial drugs?

To control microbial growth in the body.

What do microbicidal agents do?

They kill microorganisms.

What is the function of microbiostatic agents?

They inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

What distinguishes antiseptics from disinfectants?

Antiseptics are used on living tissue, while disinfectants are used on inanimate objects.

What is selective toxicity in antimicrobial drugs?

It refers to the ability of a drug to be more toxic to the microbe than to the host.

What is a broad-spectrum antibiotic?

An antibiotic that acts on a large range of microbes.

What is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic?

An antibiotic that targets a specific group of microbes.

How do antiviral drugs typically work?

They block viral attachment to host cells or inhibit genome replication.

What are some mechanisms of antibiotic resistance?

Inactivating enzymes, alternative pathways, efflux pumps, decreased uptake, target alterations.

What is cross-resistance?

Resistance to one antimicrobial agent that may confer resistance to similar drugs.

What impact does antibiotic usage have on normal microbiota?

It may lead to secondary infections or superinfections by reducing microbial antagonism.

What is a superinfection?

An increase of a normally low-abundance microbe after antibiotic use.

Why is it important to finish an entire antimicrobial prescription?

To maintain high drug concentrations, kill all sensitive cells, and prevent the development of resistance.

What are three ways antibiotic resistance genes can be transferred horizontally?

Transformation, transduction, and conjugation.