I thought I knew this but now am confused as simple as it sounds. I knew that antibiotics are substances of microbial origin which are anti-life of other microorganims.. But I did some reading and some people define them as substances which are active against bacteria..Is this true? Do they only act on bacteria or other microorganisms as well? what about fungi and protozoa?
Antibiotics are secondary metabolites produced by some microorganisms for their competitive advantage over other rival microorganisms. Thus they are selective in nature, the reason for their use in clinical application. Some antibiotics are broad spectrum, acting against a large number of microorganisms depending on their mode of action. there are antibiotics which are active against bacteria, protozoa and fungi.
I thought so....but I got some contradictory definition when I was doing some reading...and I thought that maybe I had it wrong..thanks
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