What is the difference between bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics?

Bactericidal antibiotics are defined by their ability to kill bacteria directly. These antibiotics disrupt essential processes within bacterial cells, leading to cell death. Examples of these processes include interfering with cell wall synthesis or damaging the bacterial cell membrane. Conversely, bacteriostatic antibiotics do not kill bacteria but rather inhibit their growth and reproduction. This is typically achieved by targeting mechanisms essential for bacterial proliferation, such as protein synthesis or nucleic acid synthesis. When the bacteriostatic agent is removed or its concentration decreases, the bacteria may resume growth unless the host's immune system successfully clears the infection.

The distinction is important in clinical treatment as the choice between bactericidal and bacteriostatic agents can influence therapeutic strategies, especially in severe infections where rapid bacterial death is necessary.