Which agents inhibit bacterial growth without killing them?

Bacteriostatic agents are substances that inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria without killing them outright. This is achieved by interfering with various aspects of bacterial metabolism and reproduction, making it difficult for the bacteria to multiply, but not resulting in their immediate death.

The action of bacteriostatic agents allows the host's immune system to more effectively eliminate the pathogens, as it slows down bacterial growth. Common examples include tetracyclines and sulfonamides, which are used to treat infections where a reduction in bacterial numbers can help the body fight off the infection.

In contrast, bactericidal agents directly kill bacteria, which is a different mechanism of action. Antifungal agents specifically target fungal organisms and are not relevant when considering the inhibition of bacterial growth. Antibiotic agents include both bactericidal and bacteriostatic types, making this choice too broad to specify the inhibition aspect alone. Therefore, the most accurate classification for agents that inhibit bacterial growth without causing death is indeed bacteriostatic agents.