Abacteriostatic agent orbacteriostat, abbreviatedBstatic, is a biological or chemical agent that stopsbacteria from reproducing, while not necessarily killing them otherwise. Depending on their application, bacteriostaticantibiotics,disinfectants,antiseptics andpreservatives can be distinguished. When bacteriostatic antimicrobials are used, the duration of therapy must be sufficient to allow host defense mechanisms to eradicate the bacteria. Upon removal of the bacteriostat, the bacteria usually start to grow rapidly. This is in contrast tobactericides, which kill bacteria.[1]
Bacteriostats are often used inplastics to prevent growth of bacteria on surfaces. Bacteriostats commonly used in laboratory work includesodium azide (which is acutely toxic) andthiomersal.[citation needed]
Bacteriostatic antibiotics limit the growth ofbacteria by interfering with bacterialprotein production,DNA replication, or other aspects of bacterial cellularmetabolism. They must work together with the immune system to remove the microorganisms from the body. However, there is not always a precise distinction between them and bactericidal antibiotics; high concentrations of some bacteriostatic agents are also bactericidal, whereas low concentrations of somebactericidal agents are bacteriostatic. This group[2] includes:
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