Abstract

CHALLENGES FACED IN THE DISCOVERY OF NEW ANTIBIOTICS: A FOCUS ON ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

Harini R.*, Pavithra P., Nirmala E. and Pavazhaviji P.

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria and fungi (which are meant to be killed by antibiotics) learn to resist them. It is possible for resistance genes to group together and spread via mutual gene transfer. Although a large variety of bacteria can develop antibiotic resistance issues, only a small subset has been identified as being particularly troublesome. They are Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella species, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecalis. This is because of their widespread occurrence and particularly complex resistance (which may include multidrug resistance).Causes of antibiotic resistance are misperceptions among the public and irrational drug therapy, food industry abuse, individual human resistance. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that over 50% of antibiotic prescriptions in the US are being made without a need, costing the country $1.1 billion annually. For instance, in the US in 1996, 300,000 pounds of the aminoglycosides streptomycin, and oxytetracyline were sprayed preventatively on apples and pears. Following factors limit the development by newer antibiotics (i) poor profit due to brief treatment intervals; (ii) the strong push for wise and limited use of new antibiotics; and (iii) significant scientific challenges in discovering and developing new antibiotics. Developing new antibiotics is important but we cannot rely on new drugs alone. Bacteria and fungi continuously changes and develop new ways to resist antibiotics. Once a new antibiotics is used, the countdown starts for how long it will be effective. The world urgently needs to change the way it prescribes and uses antibiotics. Even if new medicines are developed, without behaviour change, antibiotic resistance will remain as major threat.

Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, Multidrug resistance, Penicillin, Cephalosporins, Golden age, ? – lactam.