What are antimicrobials?

Antimicrobials

Disease in man and animal which may be caused by bacteria, virus and other micro – organisms or microbes. Any organism that causes disease is called a pathogen. The body possesses an efficient natural defence mechanism, which operates at all times against potential pathogenic microbes. In fact skin is impervious to microbes. Many body secretions either kill the microbes or inhibit their growth. Examples are lysozyme in tears, nasal secretion and saliva, fatty acids and lactic acid in sweat and sebaceous secretions and hydrochloric acid is stomach.

Arsephenamine is first effective medicine for syphilis. Prontosil is another antibacterial used for syphilis.

A breach in defence mechanism allows the pathogens to reach tissues and this causes infection. In addition, toxins produced by the microbes may adversely affect the tissues or organs of the host.