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An antimicrobial is an agent that primarily destroys or prevents the growth of microorganisms. Infections and diseases are caused by a broad spectrum of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and more, in both humans and animals likewise.
- The development and widespread use of the antibiotic penicillin in the early 1940s laid the groundwork for the current age of antimicrobial medicine.
- Antimicrobial drugs can be categorised based on the bacteria they are most effective against.
- Antimicrobial agent types are antibiotics, antibacterials, antifungals, antivirals and antiprotozoals.
Read Also: Human Diseases: Classification, Types, Causes and Preventions
Key Terms: Antimicrobial, Antibiotics, Bacteria, Drug, Microorganism and Infections
What are Antimicrobial Agents?
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An antimicrobial agent is any of a wide range of chemical substances and physical agents used to kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms.
- Antimicrobial agents used in disease treatment include synthetic chemicals, chemical substances or metabolic products produced by microorganisms, and chemical substances obtained from plants.
- Antimicrobial agents are drugs, chemicals, or other compounds that can either kill (microbiocidal) or reduce the growth of bacteria (microbiostatic).
- The most commonly used type of antimicrobial agents are Disinfectants, Antiseptics and Antiseptics
- The use of antimicrobial drugs to treat and prevent infections is referred to as antimicrobial prophylaxis and antimicrobial chemotherapy, respectively.
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|---|---|---|
| Dengue | Vitamin B12 Deficiency | Pneumonia |
| Common cold | Filariasis | HIV and AIDS |
Types of Antimicrobial Agents
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An antimicrobial agent helps in withstanding the development of the pathogenic action constructed especially by microbes, like bacteria (antibacterial drugs), fungi (antifungal agents), viruses (antiviral agents), or other parasites (antiparasitic drugs), and others, individually.
Antimicrobial agents can be further dissected into 4 individual slots, like Antibacterial drugs, antifungal drugs, antiviral agents, and antiparasitic drugs, all of which are distinguished below,
- Antibacterial drug: Antibacterial drugs are normally put into use so as to impede the pathogenic activity of bacteria. One of the major instances of the drug is Zithromax.
- Antifungal drug: Antifungal drugs are generally utilized to hinder fungal activities in the host, or simply the organism in concern. Miconazole is a type of Antifungal drug.
- Antiviral agent: Antiviral agents are normally utilized to inhibit the pathogenic actions of a virus in living organisms. Tamiflu is a type of Antiviral agent.
- Antiparasitic drug: Antiparasitic drugs are proven to restrain the possible development of pathogenic parasites in the host. One of the major instances under the topic is Anthelmintics.
Also check: Difference between Bacteria And Virus
What are Antibiotics?
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Antibiotics are antimicrobial agents that are active against microorganisms. Antibiotic drugs are often employed in the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections because they are the most effective form of antimicrobial agent for doing so.
- Antibiotics help in treating infections since they have low rates of toxicity for humans and animals.
- These are mainly substances that are elementally derived from one microorganism in order to impede the growth of another microorganism.
- Antibiotics are commonly proven to be highly effective against several bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections.
Antibiotics
- However, antibiotics are yet not evidently proven to be effective against viral infections.
- The advancement of synthetic production has largely contributed to combining some of the mixtures that were initially found as products of microorganisms. These synthetic substances are termed antibiotics.
- Pathogenic bacteria are commonly seen to be destroyed by synthetic substances like these at very low concentrations. Some examples of the same are Ampicillin and amoxicillin. There has been a consistent search for chemicals that would be able to affect the invading bacteria, while not affecting the host in any way.
- In 1908, a German bacteriologist named Paul Ehrlich discovered arsphenamine, also known as salvarsan, from an arsenic-based compound for the treatment of syphilis.
Also check: Types of Drugs
There are two kinds of antibiotics:
- Bactericidal antibiotics: Bactericidal Antibiotics, were mainly responsible for destroying the effects of bacteria. A few of the major examples of it are Penicillin, Aminoglycosides, and Ofloxacin.
- Bacteriostatic antibiotics: Bacteriostatic antibiotics tend to produce a hindering action upon bacterial substances, restraining them to enter the host’s body. A few of the major examples of it are Erythromycin, Tetracycline, and Chloramphenicol.
Based on their spectrum of action, antibiotics are further classified into three types. These are as follows:
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics: Broad-spectrum antibiotics, are commonly utilized to either destroy or impede Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial substances. One such instance is Chloramphenicol.
- Narrow spectrum antibiotics: Narrow Spectrum Antibiotics are known to be largely effective against certain distinct groups of bacteria. One prominent example of it is Penicillin G.
- Limited spectrum antibiotics: Limited Spectrum antibiotics are generally only effective against a single organism or a single disease upon a host’s body. One such example of it is Dysidazirine.
Also check: Retrovirus
Antiseptics and Disinfectants
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Antiseptics and disinfectants are substances that also contribute to helping either destroy or impede the development of microorganisms, like bacteria, viruses, and more.
Antiseptics are generally applied to injured tissues, cuts, or even infected skin surfaces. Moreover, they are not advised to be taken orally.
Antiseptic and Disinfectants
Here are some instances of the same,
- Dettol: Dettol is mainly an admixture of chloroxylenol and terpineol. Dettol is generally utilized to apply in open cuts.
- Iodine tincture and iodoform: These substances have decent antiseptic properties.
- Boric acid: Boric Acid is used as an antiseptic agent for the eyes.
On the other hand, A disinfectant is a chemical agent or compound used to inactivate or destroy bacteria on passive surfaces. In order to kill infectious organisms, disinfectants are frequently used in medical facilities, dentist offices, restaurants, and restrooms. Chlorine bleach is the most commonly used disinfectant.
Antimicrobial Agent Uses
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The use of antimicrobial agents as highly selective inhibitors has, in turn, greatly facilitated research into complex biochemical processes.
Cleaning Products
It's possible for germs to build up in high-traffic areas of homes, businesses, bathroom sinks, and kitchen countertops. Cleaning solutions that do not contain antibacterial/antimicrobial components will clean the surface but will not kill the germs on it. So it's important to use cleaning products with Antimicrobial agents to ensure that no germs spread.
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities
Antimicrobials eliminate bacteria and viruses in disinfectants and sterilisers to help keep patients, operating, and emergency rooms clean.
Industrial Areas
Utilizing antimicrobials protects essential activities such as food processing facilities, water treatment systems, and industrial processes.
Antimicrobial Pesticides
These insecticides are used in food processing facilities, dairies, breweries, poultry houses, and other animal-feeding activities to aid in slowing the growth of human pathogenic microorganisms.
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Things to Remember
- An antimicrobial is any agent that kills bacteria or inhibits their development or growth.
- Disinfectants are utilised to eliminate harmful bacteria from non-living items like flooring and drainage systems.
- Antimicrobials are used in industrial surroundings, hospital settings, and cleaning solutions to help kill harmful bacteria and stop the spread of illnesses.
- Any substance used to treat an infectious condition brought on by a virus is known as an antiviral drug.
- Antimicrobial agents include bacteria (antibacterial drugs), fungi (antifungal agents), viruses (antiviral agents), or other parasites (antiparasitic drugs), and others, individually.
- Antibiotics are commonly utilised as drugs that largely contribute to helping to treat infections since they have low rates of toxicity for humans and animals.
Previous Years Questions
- The infectious stage of Plasmodium that enters the human body… [NEET 2020]
- In higher vertebrates, the immune system can distinguish….[NEET 2016]
- Which of the following is a pair of viral diseases?...[NEET 2009]
- In which disease does mosquito transmitted...[NEET 2018]
- A person likely to develop tetanus is immunized by….[NEET 2009]
- A person suffering from a disease caused by Plasmodium...[NEET 2010]
- Antibodies in our body are complex..[NEET 2006]
- Antigens are present...[NEET 1995]
- Antivenom injection contains preformed antibodies….[NEET 2016]
Sample Questions
Ques: Define the meaning of Antibiotics. How many parts can it be bifurcated into? (3 marks)
Ans: Antibiotics are mainly synthetic substances that are critically active against bacteria. In simple words, antibiotics are medicines (such as penicillin or the derivatives it has) that help impede the growth of or destroy microorganisms that tend to form in the host’s body.
It can be bifurcated into two main segments,
- Bactericidal antibiotics: Bactericidal Antibiotics are responsible for destroying the effects of bacteria. A few of the major examples of it are Penicillin, Aminoglycosides, and Ofloxacin.
- Bacteriostatic antibiotics: Bacteriostatic antibiotics tend to produce an impeding action upon bacterial substances, restraining them from entering the host’s body. A few of the major examples of it are Erythromycin, Tetracycline, and Chloramphenicol.
Ques: What are Antimicrobial Agents? Name a few of them. (2 marks)
Ans: Infections and diseases, in the body of the biotic host, are caused by a wide spectrum of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and more. It can infect both humans and animals likewise the drug that is used to resist the pathogenicity of these microorganisms is referred to as an antimicrobial agent.
It can be segmented into four major parts,
- Antibacterial drug
- Antifungal drug
- Antiviral drug
- Antiparasitic drug
Ques: What are the general uses of Antimicrobial agents? (3 marks)
Ans: Antimicrobial agents are well known to either kill or inhibit the development of microorganisms on the body of the host.
Generally including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, antimicrobial agents are renowned groups of medications that are utilized to both restrain and treat infections in every living organism, starting from humans to animals and plants.
For instance, these sorts of antibiotic agents are used against bacteria, while antifungal agents are used against prevention of fungi, respectively.
Ques: Define the meaning of “broad-spectrum antibiotics” under antibiotic agents. Explain briefly. (5 marks)
Ans: Broad-spectrum antibiotics are commonly utilized to either destroy or impede two major bacterial substances, namely, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial substances. It is commonly used to treat community-acquired infections without attempting to culture or otherwise identify the culprit bacterium. This technique has contributed to the formation of more drug-resistant bacterium strains over time, prompting the development of more broad-spectrum antibiotics.
- When a bacterial infection is suspected but the kind of bacteria is unclear (also known as empiric therapy) or when infection with numerous types of bacteria is suspected, these antibiotics are employed.
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics, despite their strength, come with many drawbacks, most notably the disturbance of native, healthy bacteria and the development of antibiotic resistance.
- In contrast, a narrow-spectrum antibiotic is only helpful against a single type of bacteria.
- Ampicillin is a well-known type of broad-spectrum antibiotic.
- Chloramphenicol can be used against a number of disease-causing infections, like typhoid, dysentery, acute fever, pneumonia, etc.
- Vancomycin, ofloxacin, and amoxicillin are some other examples.
Ques: Elaborate on the process by which antimicrobial agents destroy bacteria. (2 marks)
Ans: Antibacterial agents generally help in fighting several infectious bacteria in the body of the host. Antimicrobial agents help destroy bacteria, based especially upon the sort of bacteria, by numerous procedures. They principally help in attacking selective infection by destroying the framework of the bacteria, or its capability to reproduce further.
In general, most antiseptics and disinfectants tend to destroy the bacteria by instantly causing the bacterial cell to erupt, or by simply preventing its multiplication. These are commonly known as bacterial conjugation.
Ques: what are some well-known antiseptics and disinfectants? (3 marks)
Ans: Antiseptics are generally applied to injured tissues, cuts, or even infected skin areas of the body of a human. In any case, antiseptics are mainly not advised to be taken orally.
Here are some instances of the same,
- Dettol: Dettol is mainly an admixture of chloroxylenol and terpineol. Dettol is generally utilized to apply in open cuts.
- Iodine tincture and iodoform: These substances have decent antiseptic properties.
- Boric acid: Boric Acid is elementally utilized as an antiseptic agent for the eyes.
Ques: Is it true that antibacterial is similar to disinfectants? Explain. (2 marks)
Ans: If a surface is considered to be free of hard dust, then disinfectants can play a significant role in destroying the germs present on it since disinfectants are known to contain additives. This is to say, a disinfectant or an antibacterial cleaner generally comprises numerous ingredients deemed necessary for dirt removal. It also acts as an infection destroyer since the composition includes antimicrobial ingredients. Thus, both of the products have somewhat similar purposes to execute.
Ques: Define the following: Broad-spectrum antibiotics, Narrow spectrum antibiotics, and Limited spectrum antibiotics. (3 marks)
Ans: The following definitions are:
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics: Broad-spectrum antibiotics are generally utilized to either destroy or obstruct Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial substances. One such instance of the same is Chloramphenicol.
- Narrow spectrum antibiotics: Narrow Spectrum Antibiotics are known to be largely effective against certain distinct groups of bacteria. One major example of it is Penicillin G.
- Limited spectrum antibiotics: Limited Spectrum antibiotics are generally only effective against a single organism or a single disease upon a host’s body. One such example of it is Dysidazirine.
Ques: What are the side effects of taking Antibiotics? (5 marks)
Ans: Some side effects of antibiotics are
- Allergic reactions
These reactions can range in severity from minor rashes and itching to painful, blistering skin reactions, facial and throat swelling, and breathing difficulties. The greatest method to lower the risk of antibiotic side effects is to minimise needless antibiotic usage.
- Antibiotic resistance
Antibiotic usage may raise the possibility of microorganisms developing antibiotic resistance. Infections that are resistant to antibiotics can be extremely dangerous and hard to cure.
- Clostridioides difficile infection (C. diffcile or C. diff),
Antibiotic usage results in diarrhoea, serious colon damage, and death.
- Tooth staining
Tetracycline and doxycycline are two antibiotics that might permanently discolour developing children's teeth. Children under the age of eight are most commonly affected by this effect.
- Photosensitivity
A tetracycline antibiotic, for example, might make your body more sensitive to light. In your eyes, the light may appear brighter due to this effect. Your skin may become more vulnerable to sunburn as a result.
Ques. What conditions can't be treated with antibiotics because they are caused by viruses? (2 marks)
Ans. The majority of upper respiratory diseases, such as sinus infections, bronchitis, sore throats, and head colds, are brought on by viruses. Antibiotics cannot be used to treat viruses.
Antibiotics do not treat influenza, which includes the common cold. Only 10% of instances of acute bronchitis are brought on by bacteria. Viruses are also frequently responsible for sore throats. It's not advised to use antibiotics unless you have strep throat.
Ques. What distinguishes a disinfectant from an antiseptic? (4 marks)
Ans. Disinfectants and antiseptics both destroy bacteria, and the phrases are sometimes used frequently confused. Antiseptics are also referred to as skin disinfectants, which facilitates misunderstanding.
However, there is a significant distinction between disinfectants and antiseptics. The body is treated with an antiseptic, while nonliving things like worktops and handrails are treated with a disinfectant. In a surgical setting, a doctor could use an antiseptic on the patient's surgical site and a disinfectant to clean the operating table.
Chemical substances that are sometimes referred to as biocides are present in both antiseptics and disinfectants. One typical component found in both antiseptics and disinfectants is hydrogen peroxide. However, compared to disinfectants, antiseptics often have lower biocide concentrations.
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