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Antibiotics: Bacteria
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Antibiotics are categorized as bactericidal if they kill the susceptible bacteria or bacteriostatic if they reversibly inhibit the growth of bacteria. In general the use of bactericidal antibiotics is preferred but many factors may dictate the use of a bacteriostatic antibiotic. When a bacteriostatic antibiotic is used the duration of therapy must be sufficient to allow cellular and humoral defense mechanisms to eradicate the bacteria. If possible, bactericidal antibiotics should be used to treat infections of the endocardium or the meninges. Host defenses are relatively ineffective at these sites and the dangers imposed by such infections require prompt eradication of the organisms.
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Antibiotics have found wide nonmedical use. Some are used in animal husbandry, along with vitamin B12, to enhance the weight gain of livestock. However, some authorities believe the addition of antibiotics to animal feeds is dangerous because continuous low exposure to the antibiotic can sensitize humans to the drug and make them unable to take the substance later for the treatment of infection. In addition low levels of antibiotics in animal feed encourage the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of microorganisms. Drug resistance has been shown to be carried by a genetic particle transmissible from one strain of microorganism to another, and the presence of low levels of antibiotics can actually cause an increase in the number of such particles in the bacterial population and increase the probability that such particles will be transferred to pathogenic, or disease-causing, strains. Antibiotics have ... been used to treat plant diseases such as bacteria-caused infections in tomatoes, potatoes, and fruit trees.
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Antibiotics are ... used to prevent infections before, during, and after surgery. People with heart valve disorders routinely take antibiotics before surgery, including dental surgery (or even dental procedures such as cleaning).These people have increased risk of endocarditis from bacteria normally foundin the mouth and other parts of the body. Such bacteria may enter the bloodstream during the dental procedure and travel to the damaged heart valve. Preventive antibiotics may also be taken by people whose immune system is not fully functional, such as people with leukemia, people receiving chemotherapy for cancer, or people with AIDS. Otherwise healthy people undergoing those types of surgery that carry a high risk of infection (such as major orthopedic orintestinal surgery) may also take preventive antibiotics.
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Antibiotics cause gastrointestinal reactions by direct irritation of the mucous membrane, destruction of normal, natural bacterial flora or by creating bacterial overgrowth of abnormal forms. Antibiotics eliminate organisms from the normal flora of the skin, oral and genito-urinary mucosa and promote growth of drug-resistant organisms. Oral or vaginal candidiasis (thrush) often follows the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Now, if the Ehrlich/Metchnikoff germ theory was still a contender in the ring of disease causation, which it's not, the antibiotic approach to disease treatment might have some credibility. It is worth noting that the term antibiotic is from root words that mean "against life" and is defined by the medical dictionaries as: (1) destructive of life, (2) a chemical substance produced by a microorganism, which are able to kill other microorganisms.
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Antibiotics are not only used in human and veterinary medicine. They are equally effective against bacterial diseases in plants or aquaculture (Source: Natl. Aquaculture Association. Here is an excellent review on antibiotics in agronomy and horticulture (source: Natl. Health Med. Res.
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Antibiotics can cause a number of side effects. Nausea, diarrhea, and allergic reactions are some known side effects of antibiotics. Antibiotics ... may kill naturally-occurring bacteria that protect the body from yeast infection, so yeast infections may occur while you are taking antibiotics. Be sure to ask your doctor what kind of side effects you may experience with a particular antibiotic. Always call your doctor if the side effects are severe or worrisome.
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