Trimethoprim

Trimethoprim is a bacteriostatic antibiotic that inhibits bacterial dihydrofolate reductase, an enzyme involved in the synthesis of tetrahydrofolic acid. This acid is crucial for the production of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) in bacteria. By blocking this enzyme, trimethoprim disrupts the folate synthesis pathway, leading to the inhibition of bacterial growth.

Trimethoprim is frequently used as a selective agent in culture media to isolate bacteria that are sensitive to this antibiotic. Its presence in the culture medium allows for the specific isolation of bacteria that lack resistance to trimethoprim.

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