Principles of Antimicrobial Therapy/Pathogens

pathogen

organisms that cause an active infection

normal flora

organisms normally found in or on the host. Considered non-pathogenic

selective toxicity

A drug that kills harmful microbes without damaging the host

bactericidal

kills bacteria

bacteriostatic

slows bacterial growth

narrow spectrum

acts on a single or limited group of pathogens

broad spectrum

act on a wide variety of microbial organisms

empiric therapy

therapy for patients before causative organism is positively identified

prophylactic therapy

agents given to prevent infections

superinfection

new infection that appears during the course of treatment for a primary infection

Gram + pathogens

Staphylococcus

Streptococcus

Enterococcus

Gram - pathogens

E. coli

Proteus

Pseudomonas