The Control of Microbial Growth: Medical Microbiology (BIO 219)

Chapter 6: The control of Microbial Growth
Medical Microbiology (BIO 219)

Dr. Mohammad Fayyad-Kazan
Spring 2023
 Learning Outcome
 By the end of this lecture, you should be able to:

1. Describe the principles of controlling the presence of microorganisms through different techniques
2. Identify the different types of antibiotics
3. Understand the mode of action of antibiotics

1. Control of growth : Definition

2. Terminology relating to the control of microbial growth

1. Antiseptic
• An antiseptic is a chemical agent that slows or stops the growth of micro-organisms on external surfaces of the
body and helps to prevent infections.
• Antiseptics should be distinguished from antibiotics that destroy micro-organisms inside the body, and from
disinfectants, which destroy micro-organisms found on inanimate (non-living) objects.
• Antiseptics are used in hospitals and other medical settings to reduce the risk of infection during surgery and
other procedures.
• Most chemical agents can be used as both an antiseptic and a disinfectant.
• The purpose for which it is used is determined by its concentration.
• For example, hydrogen peroxide 6% solution is used for cleansing wounds, while stronger solutions (> 30%) are
used in industry as bleach and oxidising agent.

• 2. Aseptic technique
• Aseptic technique is a method that involves target-specific practices and procedures under suitably controlled
conditions to reduce the contamination from microbes.
• Aseptic techniques are used to prevent contamination of surgical instruments, medical personnel, and the patient during
surgery.
• Aseptic techniques are also used to prevent bacterial contamination in food industry or in research work.
3. Bactericidal
• A bactericide or bacteriocide, sometimes abbreviated Bcidal, is a substance which kills bacteria. Bactericides can be a
disinfectant, antiseptic, or antibiotic.
4. Bacteriostatic
• A bacteriostatic agent or bacteriostat, abbreviated Bstatic, is a biological or chemical agent that stops bacteria from
reproducing, while not necessarily killing them otherwise. Can be a disinfectant, antiseptic, or antibiotic.
5. Decontamination
• Is a combination of processes that removes or destroys contamination so that infectious agents or other contaminants cannot
reach a susceptible site in sufficient quantities to initiate infection, or other harmful response.
6. A disinfectant
• Is a chemical substance or compound used to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces.
• Disinfectants are generally distinguished from other antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics, which destroy microorganisms
within the body, and antiseptics, which destroy microorganisms on living tissue.
7. Fungicide: also called antimycotic, any toxic substance used to kill or inhibit the growth of fungi.
8. Germicide: Any substance or process that kills germs (bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can cause
infection and disease)
9. Pasteurization is a process in which packaged and non-packaged foods (such as milk and fruit juices) are
treated with mild heat, usually to less than 100 °C (212 °F), to eliminate pathogens and extend shelf life.
10. Preservation usually involves preventing the growth of bacteria, fungi (such as yeasts), and other
microorganisms, as well as retarding the oxidation of fats which cause rancidity.
11. Sanitizing means that you are lowering the number of germs to a safe level.
• What is considered a safe level depends on public health standards or requirements at a workplace, school, etc.
• For example, there are sanitizing procedures for restaurants and other facilities that prepare food.
12. Sterilization: a process of complete elimination or destruction of all forms of microbial life (i.e., both vegetative and spore
forms), which is carried out by various physical and chemical methods.
 Control of Microbial Growth:
 Rate of Microbial Death

When bacterial populations are heated or treated antimicrobial chemicals, they usually die at a constant rate.
 Factors influencing the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments
 Several factors influence the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatment.
1. Number of Microbes: The more microbes present, the more time it takes to eliminate population.
2. Type of Microbes: Endospores are very difficult to destroy. Vegetative pathogens vary widely in susceptibility to different
methods of microbial control.
3. Environmental influences: Presence of organic material (blood, feces, saliva) tends to inhibit antimicrobials, pH etc.
4. Time of Exposure: Chemical antimicrobials and radiation treatments are more effective at longer times. In heat treatments,
longer exposure compensates for lower temperatures.
 Actions of microbial control agents

 Physical methods of microbial control:

-Heat (incineration, boiling, autoclaving, pasteurization, ...)
-Filtration
-Low temperatures
-High pressure
-Desiccation
-Osmotic pressure
-Radiation









 Chemical methods of microbial control:





 Antibiotics and other chemotherapeutic agents




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5.
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics !!!




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Chapter 6: The control of Microbial Growth

Medical Microbiology (BIO 219)

 By the end of this lecture, you should be able to:

2. Identify the different types of antibiotics

3. Understand the mode of action of antibiotics

1. Control of growth : Definition

2. Terminology relating to the control of microbial growth

2. Terminology relating to the control of microbial growth

• Most chemical agents can be used as both an antiseptic and a disinfectant.

• The purpose for which it is used is determined by its concentration.

2. Terminology relating to the control of microbial growth

2. Terminology relating to the control of microbial growth

• Is a chemical substance or compound used to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces.

2. Terminology relating to the control of microbial growth

 Control of Microbial Growth:

 Rate of Microbial Death

 Factors influencing the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments

 Several factors influence the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatment.

 Control of Microbial Growth:

 Actions of microbial control agents

 Physical methods of microbial control:

 Physical methods of microbial control:

 Physical methods of microbial control:

 Physical methods of microbial control:

 Physical methods of microbial control:

 Physical methods of microbial control:

 Physical methods of microbial control:

 Physical methods of microbial control:

 Physical methods of microbial control:

 Physical methods of microbial control:

 Chemical methods of microbial control:

 Chemical methods of microbial control:

 Chemical methods of microbial control:

 Chemical methods of microbial control:

 Chemical methods of microbial control:

 Antibiotics and other chemotherapeutic agents

 Antibiotics and other chemotherapeutic agents

 Antibiotics and other chemotherapeutic agents

 Antibiotics and other chemotherapeutic agents

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics !!!

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics !!!

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics !!!

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics !!!

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