Bacteriostasis

bacteriostasis [bak‚tir·ē·ō′stā·səs]

(microbiology)

Inhibition of bacterial growth and metabolism.

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Bacteriostasis 

complete inhibition of growth and propagation of bacteria; caused by unfavorable physical or chemical factors or by the absence of necessary conditions for their growth (moisture, temperature, pH of the medium, and so on). In these circumstances the metabolic processes of microbial cells are disrupted. When the effect of bacteriostatic factors ceases, growth and propagation of bacterial cells are resumed; if their effect is prolonged, the bacteria are destroyed. During bacteriostasis bacterial cultures usually lose their viability and stop producing toxic substances. The beneficial effect of chemotherapeutic medications used in both human and veterinary medicine is based on this phenomenon. Bacteriostasis may be caused by a great variety of bacteriostatic substances. Among the physical factors that cause bacteriostasis are radiation, low temperatures, and high osmotic pressure.

A. A. IMSHENETSKII