학술논문

Antibiotics: From Mechanism of Action to Resistance and Beyond
Document Type
Review Paper
Source
Indian Journal of Microbiology. 64(3):821-845
Subject
Antimicrobial peptide
Antimicrobial resistance
β-lactam antibiotics
Drug repurposing
New antibiotics
Tetracyclines
Language
English
ISSN
0046-8991
0973-7715
Abstract
Antibiotics are the super drugs that have revolutionized modern medicine by curing many infectious diseases caused by various microbes. They efficiently inhibit the growth and multiplication of the pathogenic microbes without causing adverse effects on the host. However, prescribing suboptimal antibiotic and overuse in agriculture and animal husbandry have led to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, one of the most serious threats to global health at present. The efficacy of a new antibiotic is high when introduced; however, a small bacterial population attains resistance gradually and eventually survives. Understanding the mode of action of these miracle drugs, as well as their interaction with targets is very complex. However, it is necessary to fulfill the constant need for novel therapeutic alternatives to address the inevitable development of resistance. Therefore, considering the need of the hour, this article has been prepared to discuss the mode of action and recent advancements in the field of antibiotics. Efforts has also been made to highlight the current scenario of antimicrobial resistance and drug repurposing as a fast-track solution to combat the issue.