"An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria. It is the most important type of antibacterial agent for fighting bacterial infections, and antibiotic medications are widely used in the treatment and prevention of such infections."
Pharmaceuticals used to treat bacterial infections, including types, mechanisms of action, and resistance.
Bacteria and Microorganisms: A basic understanding of the structure, classification, and life cycle of bacteria is essential when studying antibiotics as they target specific bacterial processes.
Mechanisms of Action: Antibiotics target specific bacterial processes, such as cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, and bacterial DNA replication. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for selecting the appropriate antibiotic for specific infections.
Drug Resistance and Resistance Mechanisms: Bacteria evolve constantly and can develop resistance to antibiotics. Understanding resistance mechanisms can help in the selection of appropriate antibiotics and in the development of strategies to combat antibiotic resistance.
Antimicrobial Stewardship: The appropriate use of antibiotics is crucial to prevent resistance and preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics. Antimicrobial stewardship refers to the coordinated efforts to use and prescribe antibiotics appropriately.
Antibiotic Classes: Antibiotics have different classes that target different bacterial processes. Understanding the differences between classes can aid in proper antibiotic selection and appropriate use.
Side Effects and Adverse Reactions: Antibiotics can cause adverse reactions in patients. Understanding common side effects and reactions can help healthcare providers monitor patients and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
Patient Factors: A patient's age, weight, and medical conditions can all impact antibiotic selection, dosing, and administration.
Antibiotic Formulations: Antibiotics come in different formulations, such as oral, injectable, or topical. Understanding these formulations can help healthcare providers select the most appropriate route of administration.
Antibiotic Prescribing Guidelines: Various guidelines exist for the appropriate use of antibiotics, such as those published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO). Understanding these guidelines can aid in the appropriate use of antibiotics.
Antibiotic Development: Research and development of new antibiotics is crucial to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Understanding the process of antibiotic development and clinical trials can help in understanding the limitations and opportunities for new therapies.
Penicillins: One of the most widely used antibiotics for bacterial infections, Penicillins work by interfering with the bacteria's cell walls.
Cephalosporins: Similar to Penicillins, Cephalosporins also interfere with bacterial cell walls. They are commonly used to treat respiratory and urinary tract infections.
Macrolides: This type of antibiotic works by stopping bacteria from growing and reproducing. Macrolides are commonly used to treat pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections.
Tetracyclines: Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum antibiotics that work by preventing bacteria from producing proteins necessary for their growth.
Aminoglycosides: Aminoglycosides are powerful antibiotics used to treat severe infections, particularly those of the urinary tract, respiratory system, and blood.
Fluoroquinolones: Fluoroquinolones target bacteria's DNA and can be used to treat a wide range of infections, including respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections.
Sulfonamides: Also known as sulfa drugs, Sulphonamides treat infections by interfering with the bacteria's metabolism.
Carbapenems: Carbapenems are a potent class of antibiotics used to treat severe infections caused by bacteria resistant to other antibiotics.
"Antibiotics are not effective against viruses such as the common cold or influenza; drugs which inhibit the growth of viruses are termed antiviral drugs or antivirals rather than antibiotics."
"They are also not effective against fungi; drugs which inhibit growth of fungi are called antifungal drugs."
"Sometimes, the term antibiotic... is broadly used to refer to any substance used against microbes, but in the usual medical usage, antibiotics (such as penicillin) are those produced naturally (by one microorganism fighting another), whereas non-antibiotic antibacterials (such as sulfonamides and antiseptics) are fully synthetic."
"Antibacterials include antiseptic drugs, antibacterial soaps, and chemical disinfectants."
"Antibiotics have been used since ancient times. Many civilizations used topical application of moldy bread, with many references to its beneficial effects arising from ancient Egypt, Nubia, China, Serbia, Greece, and Rome."
"The first person to directly document the use of molds to treat infections was John Parkinson (1567–1650)."
"Alexander Fleming (1881–1955) discovered modern-day penicillin in 1928."
"The widespread use of which proved significantly beneficial during wartime."
"However, the effectiveness and easy access to antibiotics have also led to their overuse and some bacteria have evolved resistance to them."
"The World Health Organization has classified antimicrobial resistance as a widespread 'serious threat [that] is no longer a prediction for the future, it is happening right now in every region of the world and has the potential to affect anyone, of any age, in any country'."
"Global deaths attributable to antimicrobial resistance numbered 1.27 million in 2019."