Microbiologists 2018

Antimicrobial agents

Antimicrobials are agents killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and are grouped as antibacterial, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics. Antibacterial used to treat bacterial infections are termed as antibacterial, treating virus are termed as antivirals and hence antifungals and antiparasitics are respectively for fungi and parasites. The toxicity of antibacterial to humans and other animals is generally low. Antimicrobial pesticides control growth of microbes by the use of disinfection, sanitation, or reduction of development and to protect industrial processes or systems, surfaces, water, or other chemical substances from contamination, spoiling caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, algae.