At HIFAS Biologics, we understand that the fight against microbial resistance can be confusing due to the variety of technical terms used. Two frequently confused terms are antimicrobial and antibiotic. Although both relate to the treatment of infections, they have different meanings and applications. In this article, we clarify the differences between these terms and offer tips on how to tell them apart.
What is an Antimicrobial?
The term antimicrobial encompasses a broad category of drugs designed to fight microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. Antimicrobials work in a variety of ways to treat infections and can be classified into different groups according to the type of microorganism they attack:
Antibiotics: Specific to fight bacteria.
Antifungals: Targeted against fungi.
Antivirals: Focused on viruses.
Antiparasitics: Designed to eliminate parasites.
Types of Antimicrobials
Antibiotics: These are drugs that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Common examples include penicillin and tetracycline. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, fungi or parasites.
Antifungals: Used to treat infections caused by fungi. Examples include fluconazole and itraconazole. These drugs have no effect on bacteria or viruses.
Antivirals: Act against viral infections such as influenza or HIV. Examples are acyclovir and oseltamivir. Antivirals are not useful for bacterial or fungal infections.
Antiparasitics: These drugs fight parasites such as protozoa or helminths. Examples include ivermectin and metronidazole.
What is an Antibiotic?
The term antibiotic refers specifically to drugs used to treat bacterial infections. Their action can vary: some antibiotics kill bacteria directly (bactericides), while others only inhibit their growth (bacteriostatics). Antibiotics were developed to fight bacterial infections, such as tuberculosis and pneumonia, but are not effective against infections caused by viruses, fungi or parasites.
Types of Antibiotics
Penicillins: These include penicillin and amoxicillin, useful against a variety of gram-positive bacteria.
Cephalosporins: They have a broad spectrum of activity, similar to penicillins, and are used to treat more serious infections.
Macrolides: Like erythromycin, they are used to treat respiratory infections and some sexually transmitted infections.
Tetracyclines: Like tetracycline, they are useful for treating respiratory infections and diseases such as typhoid fever.
How to Tell the Difference Between Antimicrobials and Antibiotics
To differentiate between antimicrobials and antibiotics, consider the following key points:
Specificity of Treatment: Antimicrobials encompass all types of agents that fight microorganisms, while antibiotics focus only on bacteria.
Type of Infection: Identify the type of microorganism causing the infection. If it is bacteria, an antibiotic may be used. If it is a fungus, virus or parasite, specific antimicrobials such as antifungals or antivirals are required.
Generalized Use: Antimicrobials are used to treat a wide range of infections, while antibiotics are designed specifically for bacterial infections.
Knowing how to identify and differentiate between antimicrobials and antibiotics allows us to develop more effective strategies to fight infections and prevent the spread of disease, a growing and worrisome challenge to which we are committed at HIFAS Biologics. Our research is focused on harnessing the medicinal potential of fungi to discover novel compounds that may be effective against resistant bacteria.
Here’s to a future without health threats!