antibiotics

Last reviewed 12/2022

Antibacterial agents are chemical substances produced by a microorganism - antibiotic - or synthetically - antibacterial - which has the capacity to kill or inhibit the growth of other bacterial species.

Antibacterial agents are active against bacteria. They can be bactericidal - killing the organism concerned, or bacteriostatic - inhibiting the growth of the organisms concerned thereby giving the host immune system time to act.

Some antibacterial agents have been isolated from species of bacteria or fungi whilst others are totally synthetic.