Antibiotics treatments

Posted: April 4th, 2019

Antibiotics treatments essay
Antibiotics are a group of drugs used to treat bacterial infections in humans and animals. They have been instrumental in reducing morbidity and mortality rates associated with bacterial infections worldwide. However, with increasing antibiotic resistance, the effectiveness of antibiotics is diminishing. This essay will explore the history of antibiotics, the mechanisms of action, and the challenges associated with antibiotic resistance. It will also examine strategies for optimizing the use of antibiotics.

History of Antibiotics:

The history of antibiotics can be traced back to the early 1900s when Paul Ehrlich discovered the first antibiotic, Salvarsan, which was used to treat syphilis. However, it was not until 1928 when Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first true antibiotic that the era of modern antibiotics began. Since then, several other antibiotics have been discovered, including tetracyclines, macrolides, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones.

Mechanisms of Action:

Antibiotics work by targeting specific bacterial structures or metabolic pathways, preventing the bacteria from growing or killing them. For example, penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics target the bacterial cell wall, while tetracyclines and macrolides target the bacterial ribosome. However, bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics by developing new mechanisms of resistance or acquiring resistance genes from other bacteria.

Challenges of Antibiotic Resistance:

Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health concern. It arises from the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals, which creates a selective pressure for bacteria to develop resistance. Antibiotic resistance can result in treatment failure, increased morbidity and mortality, and higher healthcare costs. Furthermore, antibiotic resistance can spread between bacteria, making it a global public health threat.

Optimizing Antibiotic Use:

To combat antibiotic resistance, optimizing antibiotic use is crucial. This includes using antibiotics only when necessary, prescribing the right antibiotic for the right infection, using the right dose for the right duration, and preventing the spread of resistant bacteria. In addition, developing new antibiotics and alternative therapies is necessary to combat antibiotic resistance.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, antibiotics have been instrumental in reducing morbidity and mortality rates associated with bacterial infections. However, antibiotic resistance is a growing public health concern, which can result in treatment failure, increased morbidity and mortality, and higher healthcare costs. Therefore, optimizing antibiotic use is crucial to combat antibiotic resistance, including using antibiotics only when necessary, prescribing the right antibiotic for the right infection, using the right dose for the right duration, and preventing the spread of resistant bacteria.

References:

Ventola, C. L. (2015). The antibiotic resistance crisis: part 1: causes and threats. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 40(4), 277.

Laxminarayan, R., Matsoso, P., Pant, S., Brower, C., Røttingen, J. A., Klugman, K., … & McAdams, D. (2016). Access to effective antimicrobials: a worldwide challenge. The Lancet, 387(10014), 168-175.

World Health Organization. (2021). Antibiotic resistance. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antibiotic-resistance

Spellberg, B., Blaser, M., Guidos, R. J., Boucher, H. W., Bradley, J. S., Eisenstein, B. I., … & Gilbert, D. N. (2011). Combating antimicrobial resistance: policy recommendations to save lives. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 52(suppl_5), S397-S428.