Antibiotics (Gr. Anti - Against, Bios - Life)

Antibiotics are substances produced by microorganisms that, even in very small concentrations, can kill bacteria and other microorganisms or inhibit their growth. These powerful infection control tools are widely used to treat human, animal and plant diseases.

The history of antibiotics begins with the discovery of the first antibiotic drug, penicillin, in 1928 by Alexander Fleming. Penicillin was derived from the Penicillium mold and was effective against many types of bacteria. This discovery laid the foundation for subsequent research and development of antibiotics.

Over time, many antibiotic drugs of various classes have been discovered and synthesized. Each class of antibiotics has its own mechanism of action and specific activity against certain types of bacteria. Some antibiotics, such as tetracyclines, macrolides and penicillins, inhibit protein synthesis in bacterial cells, which leads to their death. Others, such as fluoroquinolones and sulfonamides, affect enzymatic systems necessary for the life of bacteria.

Antibiotics are of great importance in medicine. They are used to treat infections of various organs and systems of the body, including the respiratory, genitourinary, digestive and other systems. Thanks to antibiotics, mortality and complications from bacterial infections such as pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis and others have been significantly reduced.

However, caution must be exercised when using antibiotics. The use of these drugs can cause various side effects, including allergic reactions, dysbiosis (disruption of the normal composition of microflora), and the risk of developing antibiotic resistance.

The problem of antibiotic resistance has become a serious global threat. The widespread and irrational use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of many bacteria that are resistant to the action of these drugs. This means that previously effective antibiotics become less effective and infections caused by resistant bacteria become more difficult to treat.

Antimicrobial stewardship approaches must be implemented to combat antibiotic resistance. This includes correctly prescribing antibiotics only when needed, ensuring accurate dosage and dosing, and reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine and agriculture.

Additionally, the search for new antibiotics and alternative methods of fighting infections is an active area of ​​research. Scientists and pharmacists are constantly working to develop new antibiotic drugs, including searching for natural compounds with antibiotic activity and using new technologies such as genetic engineering and nanotechnology to create innovative medicines.

Antibiotics remain one of the most important tools in human and veterinary medicine. They are able to cope with infections that were previously fatal or led to serious complications. However, to maintain their effectiveness in the future, responsible and judicious use of antibiotics is required, as well as investment in research into new drugs and alternative methods of controlling infections. This is the only way we can maintain antimicrobial effectiveness and ensure the health of people, animals and plants for many years to come.