Microbial Death
Microparasites die when they lose their capacity for reproduction in ideal environmental conditions according to Russell (2003). Prokaryotic microbes display lethal condition responses through exponential cellular mortality patterns instead of eukaryotic PCD-regulated specialized cell and structure development (Eng et al., 2021). PCD operates as a strictly controlled procedure that causes cell degeneration to eliminate defective components or extras and preserve whole organism wellness among multi-cellular and unicellular species (Lewis, 2020). Microbes perish mainly because of external stressors including antimicrobial agents and extreme temperatures or radiation which generate permanent damage throughout essential cellular components and functions (Maillard, 2011).
Why Does a Population of Microbes Not Die Instantaneously When Exposed to an Antimicrobial Agent?
When assessed by a logarithmic model microbial populations do not perish instantly because microbial mortality occurs through proportional population loss during each time interval (Eng et al., 2021). Antimicrobials exert their antimicrobial activity through growth inhibition combined with cellular damage mechanics though their performance depends on antimicrobial concentration and duration and microbial resistant behaviors (Maillard 2011).
The delay in microbial death occurs because an antimicrobial agent needs time to achieve lethal concentrations. When exposed to sublethal amounts of antimicrobials certain microbes may face short-term growth delay instead of fatal outcomes because they remain alive until sufficient agent amounts are reached (Russell, 2003). Dead microbial cells have the ability to diminish the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents against surviving members of the population through absorption or neutralization reactions (Lewis, 2020).
Microbial heterogeneity is a vital condition affecting microbial response. A microbial population contains cells with increased resistance because of genetic mutations together with biofilm formation and protective stress response mechanisms (Eng et al., 2021). The resistant cells demand long periods at high antimicrobial dosages before they are eliminated effectively. The stability and penetration ability of antimicrobial agents gets affected by environmental factors including temperature along with pH and the presence of organic matter (Maillard, 2011).
The process of microbial death includes multiple factors stemming from microbe-based characteristics together with external antimicrobial elements. The logarithmic pattern of microbial death together with bacterial defense mechanisms causes a delay in microbe sensitivity to antimicrobial agents. Knowledge about these dynamic antimicrobial activities proves fundamental for generating better antimicrobial strategies.
References
Eng, R. H., Padberg, F. T., Smith, S. M., Tan, E. N., & Cherubin, C. E. (2021). Bactericidal versus bacteriostatic antibiotics: A re-examination of the distinction. New England Journal of Medicine, 349(4), 501-503.
Lewis, K. (2020). Persister cells, dormancy, and infectious disease. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 18(2), 107-119. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-019-0306-2
Maillard, J. Y. (2011). Innate resistance to disinfectants and antiseptics in bacteria. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 110(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04856.x
Russell, A. D. (2003). Mechanisms of bacterial resistance to biocides. Progress in Medicinal Chemistry, 40, 281-307. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-6468(03)40013-X