Antimicrobials in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Research

Antimicrobial Agents is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that covers the latest research on antibacterial agents, their mechanism of actions, resistance, and spectrum of activities. It is useful for researchers in various fields such as biology, bioengineering, biochemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, food technology, and enzymology. The journal discusses new unexploited targets and strategies for the next generation of antimicrobial drugs to combat drug resistance and emerging pathogens.

Format: Hardback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Antimicrobial Agents: A Comprehensive Review

Antimicrobial agents, including antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals, have emerged as vital tools in the fight against infectious diseases. These agents are designed to target and disrupt the growth of microorganisms, thereby preventing their spread and treating infections.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the emergence and spread of drug-resistant microorganisms, posing a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. As a result, there is an urgent need for the development of new and innovative antimicrobial agents that can effectively combat these resistant strains.

This comprehensive review will focus on these newly available antibacterial agents, their mechanism of actions, resistance, and spectrum of activities. It will be useful for biologists, bioengineers, biochemists, biotechnologists, microbiologists, food technologists, and enzymologists. Furthermore, the review will discuss new unexploited targets and strategies for the next generation of antimicrobial drugs for combating drug resistance and emerging pathogens.

Antimicrobial agents can be classified into several categories, including antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, while antifungals are used to treat fungal infections. Antivirals are used to treat viral infections, such as the flu, herpes, and COVID-19.

The mechanism of action of antimicrobial agents varies depending on the type of agent and the target microorganism. Antibiotics, for example, work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria or destroying their cell walls. Antifungals, on the other hand, work by disrupting the growth of fungi or destroying their cell membranes. Antivirals, such as the antiviral drugs used to treat COVID-19, work by inhibiting the replication of the virus or preventing it from entering cells.

Resistance to antimicrobial agents is a significant concern, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to treat infections with existing agents. Several factors contribute to the development of drug resistance, including the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, the lack of effective infection control practices, and the presence of mobile genetic elements, such as plasmids and transposons, that can transfer resistance genes between microorganisms.

To address the challenge of drug resistance, there is an urgent need for the development of new and innovative antimicrobial agents. One approach is to target microorganisms that are not susceptible to existing agents, such as bacteria that are resistant to β-lactam antibiotics or fungi that are resistant to azole antifungals. Another approach is to develop agents that have novel mechanisms of action, such as bacteriophages or antimicrobial peptides, that can disrupt the growth of microorganisms or interfere with their metabolism.

In conclusion, antimicrobial agents, including antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals, have emerged as vital tools in the fight against infectious diseases. However, the emergence and spread of drug-resistant microorganisms pose a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. This comprehensive review will focus on these newly available antibacterial agents, their mechanism of actions, resistance, and spectrum of activities. It will also discuss new unexploited targets and strategies for the next generation of antimicrobial drugs for combating drug resistance and emerging pathogens. By continuing to invest in research and development in this area, we can hope to improve the health and well-being of people around the world.

Weight: 626g
Dimension: 184 x 261 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032215532