antimicrobial threapy

antimicrobial therapy takes the advantage of the biochemical difference that exists between MO and human beings. They effective in the treatment of infections because of their selective toxicity; that is they have the ability to injure of kill an invading MO without Harming the cells of the host (Its relative rather than absolute).

The Selection of the most appropriate antimicrobial threapy requires the knowledge of :

1.  identification of the infecting MO.
2. empiric therapy prior to identification of the organism.
3. bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal 
4. site of infection 
5. patient factor (immune system, renal dysfunction, hepatic dysfunction, poor perfusion, age, pregnancy, location). 
6. safety of the agent
7. cost of therapy
8. removal the cause of infection. 

complication of antibiotic therapy: 

1. Hypersensitivity: due the drug or it's metabolites as in penicillin. 
2. Direct toxicity: by direct effect on certain cellular process, for e.g., Aminoglycosides may affect membrane function of the hair cells of the organ of corti and causing ototoxicty. 
3. superinfections: particularly with broad spectrum antibiotics when alter the normal flora causing infection with candida albicans, pseudomembranous cloitis and others.