Selective toxicity

Definition

Selective toxicity is the ability of a drug to target specific microorganisms without harming the host. This principle is fundamental in developing effective antimicrobial therapies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Selective toxicity exploits differences between microbial cells and host cells.
2. Antibiotics achieve selective toxicity by targeting unique bacterial structures like cell walls or specific enzymes.
3. The therapeutic index measures the safety of a drug based on its selective toxicity.
4. Drugs with high selective toxicity are less likely to cause side effects in the host.
5. Resistance mechanisms in bacteria can undermine selective toxicity by altering target sites or expelling the drug.

Review Questions

• What does selective toxicity aim to achieve in antimicrobial therapy?
• How do antibiotics utilize selective toxicity against bacterial infections?
• Why is the therapeutic index important in evaluating selective toxicity?

Related terms

Therapeutic Index: A ratio that compares the toxic dose of a drug to its effective dose, indicating its safety.

Antimicrobial Resistance:

The ability of microorganisms to withstand the effects of an antimicrobial agent.

Enzyme Inhibition: A process where a molecule binds to enzymes and decreases their activity, often used by drugs to achieve selective toxicity.