Chapter 16 - Antibiotics: action mechanism and modern challenges

Abstract

The arrival of modern-day antibiotics has led to a substantial increase in the lifespan of human beings. After the discovery of the first-ever antibiotic, salvarsan, in 1910 mankind has rapidly changed the phase of modern medicine within 100 years resulting in an increased lifespan of humans by 23 years. Furthermore, in 1928, the discovery of penicillin kindled the golden era of natural antibiotic discovery that reached the highest level in the mid-1950s. Ever since there has been a deterioration in the rate of antibiotic discovery followed by the advancement of drug resistance in human pathogens caused by the present-day antibiotic resistance crisis. Even after drastic measures, drug resistance is still a menace in our environment with many lives succumbing to pathogenic infections. In the current chapter, we have discussed the history of antibiotic discovery, their classification, mode of action and also the challenges faced. The chapter also summarizes the adverse effects of antibiotics on human microbiota, plants, and the environment. A better understanding of antibiotics discovery, classification, and mode of action would be beneficial in developing new antibiotics and preventing their misuse leading to resistance.