The use of antimicrobials dates back 2000 years. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks used molds and plant extracts for infections[1]. The modern era began when Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, leading to the 1945 Nobel Prize in Medicine for its development[1].
Chemical Mechanisms
Antibacterials Target Specific Bacteria
Antibiotics fall into distinct categories: beta-lactams, macrolides, quinolones, tetracyclines and aminoglycosides[1]. Their effectiveness depends on their antimicrobial spectra and chemical composition[1].
Antifungals Combat Fungal Growth
These agents treat infections like athlete’s foot and thrush. They work by exploiting differences between mammalian and fungal cells[1]. Side effects occur because fungi and humans share similar cellular structures[1].
Physical Control Methods
Heat Destroys Microorganisms
Different organisms show varying resistance to temperature. Bacterial endospores prove more resistant while vegetative cells die at lower temperatures[1].
Radiation Eliminates Pathogens
Two types of radiation kill microorganisms:
- Ionizing radiation (cobalt-60, electron beams, X-rays)
- Non-ionizing radiation (ultraviolet light)[1]
Modern Applications
Healthcare Settings Demand Protection
Antimicrobial copper alloys now appear in healthcare facilities and transit systems[1]. These surfaces naturally kill microorganisms like E. coli and Staphylococcus[1].
Resistance Creates New Challenges
Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials drive drug-resistant pathogens. In 2019, bacterial antimicrobial resistance caused 1.27 million deaths globally[1]. This reality demands careful stewardship of existing antimicrobial resources.
Antimicrobials are agents that kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. They serve as essential tools in medicine, industry, and everyday life to combat harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Core Classifications
Primary Types Kill or Inhibit Growth
Three main classes define antimicrobial agents:
- Disinfectants: Non-selective agents like bleach that kill microbes on non-living surfaces[1]
- Antiseptics: Applied to living tissue to reduce infection during surgery[1]
- Antibiotics: Destroy microorganisms within the body[1]
Historical Development Shows Evolution
Citations:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial
An antimicrobial is an agent that kills microorganisms (microbicide) or stops their growth (bacteriostatic agent). Antimicrobial medicines can be grouped according to the microorganisms they act primarily against. For example, antibiotics are used against bacteria, and antifungals are used against fungi. They can also be classified according to their function. Antimicrobial medicines to treat infection are known as ⠀⠀antimicrobial chemotherapy, while antimicrobial drugs are used to prevent infection, which known as antimicrobial prophylaxis.
The main classes of antimicrobial agents are disinfectants (non-selective agents, such as bleach), which kill a wide range of microbes on non-living surfaces to prevent the spread of illness, antiseptics (which are applied to living tissue and help reduce infection during surgery), and antibiotics (which destroy microorganisms within the body). The term antibiotic originally described only those formulations derived from living microorganisms but is now also applied to synthetic agents, such as sulfonamides or fluoroquinolones. Though the term used to be restricted to antibacterial (and is often used as a synonym for them by medical professionals and in medical literature), its context has broadened to include all antimicrobials. Antibacterial agents can be further subdivided into bactericidal agents, which kill bacteria, and bacteriostatic agents, which slow down or stall bacterial growth. In response, further advancements in antimicrobial technologies have resulted in solutions that can go beyond simply inhibiting microbial growth. Instead, certain types of porous media have been developed to kill microbes on contact. The misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals and plants are the main drivers in the development of drug-resistant pathogens. It is estimated that bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million deaths.