Development of Antimicrobial Agents in the Era of New and Reemerging Infectious Diseases and Increasing Antibiotic Resistance

Abstract

During the past 2 decades, new infectious diseases have appeared and old ones previously thought to be controlled have reemerged. New and reemerging infectious agents will continue to pose serious threats well into the 21st century. The prediction that the threat of infectious disease may not diminish is supported by evidence that infectious agents cause many chronic diseases and cancer of previous unknown etiology. Moreover, the utility of existing antimicrobial agents is rapidly eroding, tipping the balance in favor of multidrug-resistant pathogens, and there appear to be few, if any, new classes of drugs currently in clinical development. The need for research directed toward development of new antibiotics has never been greater. Advances in research technologies and microbial genome sequencing in the past decade have led to identification of a large number of new targets. Functional genomics and integrative biology should validate these targets and provide the best opportunity for developing effective new therapies, improved diagnostic techniques, and better tools to understand host-pathogen interactions.

Antimicrobial Activity, in silico Molecular Docking, ADMET and DFT Analysis of Secondary Metabolites from Roots of Three Ethiopian Medicinal Plants

“……”

Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy: Study of Bacterial Recovery Viability and Potential Development of Resistance after Treatment

“…These mechanisms comprise a thickening of their outer wall, encoding of new proteins which prevent the penetration of drugs, and onset of mutants deficient in porin channels allowing the influx of externally added chemicals [ 52 – 54 ]. The emergence of antibiotic resistance by pathogenic MO has led to the search of efficient alternative methods for which mechanisms of resistance must not occur [ 3 , 55 ]. The aPDT represents a potential approach to inactivate pathogenic MO [ 7 , 8 ] and has already shown to be efficient against bacteria, yeasts, viruses, and protozoa [ 5 , 10 – 16 , 18 ].…”

Revisiting current “barefoot doctors” in border areas of China: system of services, financial issue and clinical practice prior to introducing integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI)

“…While antibiotics are important to treat childhood infections, overuse may cause antibiotic resistance among common bacteria in China [40,41]. Common serious infections, such as pneumonia resulting from antibiotic resistant organisms, are considered to be reemerging infectious diseases of global importance [42]. Attempts to control antibiotic overuse cannot be overemphasized.…”