: Specifically refers to antimicrobial substances naturally produced by microorganisms (like penicillin) or their semi-synthetic derivatives.
: Major types include antibacterials (oral and topical), antifungals , and antiseptics . 2. Mechanism of Action
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
: Stopping the creation of vital enzymes and structures.
: Disrupting the structure that protects the bacteria. : Cumulative data from a laboratory that tracks
: Cumulative data from a laboratory that tracks local resistance trends to help clinicians choose initial treatments. 4. Antimicrobial Stewardship
: Antibiotic-impregnated discs are placed on a bacterial "lawn." The resulting Zone of Inhibition (the clear area where no growth occurs) is measured to categorize the organism as Sensitive (S) , Intermediate (I) , or Resistant (R) . or Resistant (R) .
: The lowest concentration of an antimicrobic required to prevent visible growth of the pathogen.