Antibiotics - Infectious Diseases

What are Antibiotics?

Antibiotics are a class of drugs used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They work by either killing the bacteria or inhibiting their growth. Antibiotics are not effective against viral, fungal, or parasitic infections.

How Do Antibiotics Work?

Antibiotics target specific structures or functions essential to bacterial survival. Common mechanisms include disrupting the bacterial cell wall, inhibiting protein synthesis, and interfering with DNA replication.

When Should Antibiotics be Prescribed?

Antibiotics should be prescribed when there is a clear bacterial infection, confirmed by clinical evaluation and laboratory tests. Misuse or overuse can lead to antibiotic resistance, rendering these drugs less effective over time.

What is Antibiotic Resistance?

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotics. This can happen through genetic mutations or acquiring resistance genes from other bacteria. It poses a significant threat to global health.

Commonly Used Antibiotics

Some commonly used antibiotics include penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones. Each class has a different mechanism of action and spectrum of activity.

Side Effects of Antibiotics

While antibiotics can be life-saving, they also have potential side effects. Common side effects include gastrointestinal upset, allergic reactions, and Clostridium difficile infection. Long-term use can lead to more serious complications.

How to Use Antibiotics Responsibly?

To use antibiotics responsibly, follow the prescribed dosage and duration. Do not use antibiotics for viral infections like the flu or common cold. Always complete the full course, even if you feel better, to ensure the infection is fully eradicated.

Future of Antibiotics

With the rise of antibiotic resistance, there is a pressing need for new antibiotics and alternative therapies. Research is ongoing to develop novel antibiotics, bacteriophages, and other strategies to combat bacterial infections.

Relevant Publications

The hidden threat: Comprehensive assessment of antibiotic and disinfectant resistance in commercial pig slaughterhouses.

Issue Release: 2024

Photocatalytic removal of some selected antibiotics in polluted water system by graphitic carbon nitride-enhanced vanadium ferrite (VFeO@g-CN).

Issue Release: 2024

Genetics of resistance to trimethoprim in cotrimoxazole resistant uropathogenic : integrons, transposons, and single gene cassettes.

Issue Release: 2024

Factors Affecting the Effectiveness and Safety of Polymyxin B in the Treatment of Gram-negative Bacterial Infections: A Meta-Analysis of 96 Articles.

Issue Release: 2024

Interdomain flexibility and putative active site was revealed by crystal structure of MltG from Acinetobacter baumannii.

Issue Release: 2024

Suppression of MyD88 disturbs gut microbiota and activates the NLR pathway and hence fails to ameliorate DSS-induced colitis.

Issue Release: 2024

Oesophago-pericardial fistula after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a case report.

Issue Release: 2024

Molecular characteristics of fowl adenovirus strains detected in broiler chickens on diets without immunostimulant supplements.

Issue Release: 2024

A Rare Case of Pancreaticopleural Fistula That Presented as a Recurrent Pleural Effusion at a Regional Hospital in Guyana.

Issue Release: 2024

New Generation of Osteoinductive and Antimicrobial Polycaprolactone-Based Scaffolds in Bone Tissue Engineering: A Review.

Issue Release: 2024

Potential of nature-based solutions to reduce antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance, and pathogens in aquatic ecosystems. a critical review.

Issue Release: 2024

Bacterial cellulose microfilament biochar-architectured chitosan/polyethyleneimine beads for enhanced tetracycline and metronidazole adsorption.

Issue Release: 2024

Preparation of antimicrobial peptides and their combination with hydrogels for wound healing applications.

Issue Release: 2024

Cinnamaldehyde targets SarA to enhance β-lactam antibiotic activity against methicillin-resistant .

Issue Release: 2024

Efficacy of probiotic in preventing necrotic enteritis in broilers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Issue Release: 2024

Perioperative Infection Prophylaxis with Vancomycin is a Significant Risk Factor for Deep Surgical Site Infection in Spine Surgery.

Issue Release: 2024

From Bed to Bench: Pre-analytical Stability of 29 Anti-infective Agents in Plasma and Whole Blood to Improve Accuracy of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring.

Issue Release: 2024

Optimizing the Value of β-Lactam Antibiotics Through Extended Infusion.

Issue Release: 2024

Tibial cortex transverse transport surgery improves wound healing in patients with severe type 2 DFUs by activating a systemic immune response: a cross-sectional study.

Issue Release: 2024

Bacteriophage therapy- a refurbished age-old potential strategy to treat antibiotic and multidrug resistant bacterial infections in future.

Issue Release: 2024

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