Which of the following terms refers to the ability of an antimicrobial drug to harm the target microbe without harming the host?

mode of action

therapeutic level

spectrum of activity

selective toxicity

The correct option is : d. selective toxicity

Explanation:

The selective toxicity of a drug is described as the ability of a drug to target the target sites only. This property of a drug enables the drug to reduce the microbial growth or kill the microbe cells without harming the cells of the host.

Such antimicrobial drugs include antibiotics. Antibiotics are highly selective in nature. The antibiotics are the chemical substances, which are produced by microorganisms and have the ability to inhibit the growth of other microorganisms, without causing harming to the host cells.

Therefore, selective toxicity is the ability of the antimicrobial drugs to harm the target microbes without harming the host cells.