Editing Broad-spectrum antibiotic (section)

{{Short description|Treatment for a wide range of bacteria}}
[[File:Neutrophil MRSA II.jpg|thumb|A colored electron microscopy image of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus ([[Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus|MRSA]]), a bacterium commonly targeted by broad-spectrum antibiotics]]
A '''broad-[[antimicrobial spectrum|spectrum]] antibiotic''' is an [[antibiotic]] that acts on the two major bacterial groups, [[Gram-positive]] and [[Gram-negative]],<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ory EM, Yow EM | title = The use and abuse of the broad spectrum antibiotics | journal = JAMA | volume = 185 | issue = 4 | pages = 273–9 | date = July 1963 | pmid = 13940450 | doi = 10.1001/jama.1963.03060040057022 }}</ref> or any antibiotic that acts against a wide range of disease-causing [[bacteria]].<ref>{{cite book |editor=Clayton L. Thomas |year=1993 |title=Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary |edition=17th |isbn=978-0-8036-8313-6 |publisher=F.&nbsp;A. Davis Co.}}</ref> These medications are used when a bacterial infection is suspected but the group of bacteria is unknown (also called [[empiric therapy]]) or when infection with multiple groups of bacteria is suspected. This is in contrast to a [[narrow-spectrum antibiotic]], which is effective against only a specific group of [[bacteria]].<ref name="Hopkins">{{cite book | vauthors = Hopkins SJ |year=1997 |title=Drugs and Pharmacology for Nurses |edition=12th |isbn=978-0-443-05249-1 |publisher=Churchill Livingstone}}</ref> Although powerful, broad-spectrum antibiotics pose specific risks, particularly the disruption of native, normal bacteria and the development of [[antimicrobial resistance]]. An example of a commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotic is [[ampicillin]].<ref name="Hopkins"/>