Bakteriostatic

Bakteriostatic refers to a property of an agent that inhibits the growth and reproduction of bacteria, without necessarily killing them. These agents are commonly used in medicine to control bacterial infections by preventing the multiplication of pathogens, allowing the host's immune system to clear the infection. The mechanism of action for bacteriostatic agents varies. Some may interfere with essential bacterial processes such as protein synthesis, by binding to ribosomes, or disrupt the synthesis of vital components like the cell wall or nucleic acids. Others might inhibit metabolic pathways crucial for bacterial survival and growth. When a bacteriostatic agent is administered, the bacterial population stops increasing. If the agent is removed, and the bacteria are still viable, they may resume their growth. This contrasts with bactericidal agents, which actively kill bacteria. Examples of bacteriostatic antibiotics include tetracyclines, macrolides, and sulfonamides. Their effectiveness depends on a functional host immune system to eliminate the bacteria once their growth is suppressed. Bacteriostatic agents are typically used for chronic infections or in situations where the immune system is robust.