The article "Antibiotics and Bacterial Resistance in the 21st Century" by Richard J. Fair and Yitzhak Tor reviews the factors contributing to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It highlights the economic impact, morbidity, mortality, and infection routes associated with these resistant strains. The authors discuss the waning of antibiotic development and the approaches scientists are taking to develop new antibacterial agents. They assess established and emerging antibiotic classes, emphasizing molecules that are clinically approved or in advanced stages of development. The article also explores historical perspectives, mechanisms of action, spectrum of activity, and prominent members of each class. Key points include: - The rise of antibiotic resistance, with dangerous strains emerging more frequently over the past few decades. - Economic impacts, including increased healthcare costs and hospital days due to resistant infections. - Diminished pharmaceutical investment in antibiotics, driven by limited profitability and regulatory hurdles. - Over-prescription and public misconceptions about antibiotics contributing to resistance. - Misuse of antibiotics in animal feed, particularly for non-therapeutic purposes. - Natural resistance evolution in bacteria, highlighting the long-term existence of resistance mechanisms. - Emergent bacterial threats, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (MDR E. coli). - The need for new antibiotics, especially those effective against gram-negative pathogens, and the challenges in developing them. The article emphasizes the urgency of addressing antibiotic resistance through increased investment in research and development, responsible antibiotic use, and the exploration of novel targets and scaffolds.The article "Antibiotics and Bacterial Resistance in the 21st Century" by Richard J. Fair and Yitzhak Tor reviews the factors contributing to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It highlights the economic impact, morbidity, mortality, and infection routes associated with these resistant strains. The authors discuss the waning of antibiotic development and the approaches scientists are taking to develop new antibacterial agents. They assess established and emerging antibiotic classes, emphasizing molecules that are clinically approved or in advanced stages of development. The article also explores historical perspectives, mechanisms of action, spectrum of activity, and prominent members of each class. Key points include: - The rise of antibiotic resistance, with dangerous strains emerging more frequently over the past few decades. - Economic impacts, including increased healthcare costs and hospital days due to resistant infections. - Diminished pharmaceutical investment in antibiotics, driven by limited profitability and regulatory hurdles. - Over-prescription and public misconceptions about antibiotics contributing to resistance. - Misuse of antibiotics in animal feed, particularly for non-therapeutic purposes. - Natural resistance evolution in bacteria, highlighting the long-term existence of resistance mechanisms. - Emergent bacterial threats, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (MDR E. coli). - The need for new antibiotics, especially those effective against gram-negative pathogens, and the challenges in developing them. The article emphasizes the urgency of addressing antibiotic resistance through increased investment in research and development, responsible antibiotic use, and the exploration of novel targets and scaffolds.