Definition of Bacteriostatic/Bactericidal Activity. The definitions of “bacteriostatic” and “bactericidal” appear to be straightforward: “bacteriostatic” means that the agent prevents the growth of bacteria (i.e., it keeps them in the stationary phase of growth), and “bactericidal” means that it kills bacteria.

How does bactericidal kill bacteria?

Some antibacterials (eg, penicillin, cephalosporin) kill bacteria outright and are called bactericidal. They may directly attack the bacterial cell wall, which injures the cell. The bacteria can no longer attack the body, preventing these cells from doing any further damage within the body.

What is the action of a bactericidal drugs?

Bactericidal antibiotics kill bacteria; bacteriostatic antibiotics inhibit their growth or reproduction. One way that bactericidal antibodies kill bacteria is by inhibiting cell wall synthesis.