antibacterial

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Destroying or inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

1. destroying or suppressing the growth or reproduction of bacteria.
2. an agent having such properties.

• a. agents — drugs that destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria in concentrations that are safe for the host and can be used as chemotherapeutic agents to prevent or treat bacterial infections.
• a. resistance — consists of genetic factors, hormone levels, nutritional status, tissue enzymes, complement, interferon and immune mechanisms.
• a. sensitivity test — see antimicrobial sensitivity test.
• a. withdrawal time — the period that must elapse after treatment with an antibacterial agent ceases before the animal or its products can be marketed. Veterinarians who practice food animal medicine have a great responsibility to ensure that food of animal origin complies with pure food laws relating to their acceptable levels of drug residues. Drugs not registered for animal use should not be used and, for those that are, the legal withdrawal times must be observed.
• a. withholding — see antibiotic withdrawal time (above).