Help
Antibiotic Selection
Page 4 of 59

Antibiotic selection should be based upon the following key factors:

  • Characteristics of suspected or confirmed bacterial organism(s)
  • Prevalence of antibiotic resistance mechanisms in the suspected or confirmed bacterial organism(s)
  • Ability to reach site of infection at an effective concentration
  • Animal species and their potential for human consumption
  • Dose, frequency, duration of therapy, and route of administration of available antibiotic formulations
Antibiotics are defined as a subset of antimicrobial agents produced by a mold or a bacterium that slows the growth of, or kills, other microbes (e.g., streptomycin and penicillin). Antimicrobial agent is a more overarching term that includes the drugs, chemicals, or other substances that slow the growth of, or kill, microbes (e.g., antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparisitic drugs). This module focuses upon antibiotic use; however, the principles presented are also applicable to all antimicrobial agents. Source