An Introduction to Antibiotics
Antibiotics can be defined as the substances that can be used to treat bacterial infections. Some antibiotics also act as antiprotozoal substances, which suggests they're effective against protozoan infections. However, no antibiotics are effective at combating viruses,; hence, to curb viral infections, antiviral drugs are used.
The origins of the term “antibiotics” are often traced back to the 1800s’ when French bacteriologist Jean Paul Vuillemin introduced the term “antibiosis”, which meant “against life”. He used this term to explain the properties of early antibacterial drugs. The actual term “antibiotics” was first employed by Selman Waksman in 1942 to explain the inhibitory effects of drugs produced by microorganisms to other microorganisms. The first antibiotic was discovered by Alexander Fleming in the year 1928 while working on the influenza virus.
Uses of Antibiotics
Today, the name antibiotic is synonymous for drugs that kill bacteria. And as a result, there has been an increased lifespan along with a reduction in the mortality rates.
These microbial infections can wipe out a whole population of organisms which can adversely affect the ecosystem. For instance, anthrax may be a disease that infects livestock and may spread to humans, which is usually fatal unless it's treated.
Prevention against any microorganism’s growth can be done through antimicrobial therapy. However, it might not stop the damage that is already done. For example, the anthrax-causing bacterium Bacillus anthracis doesn't actually kill the host, instead, it's the toxins that are produced which does the deed. Although the bacteria might get killed due to antibiotics, the toxins still remain in the body which can cause damage.
Nowadays, there are two types of antimicrobial therapies available:
Microbicidal therapy – It helps to kill the microorganisms.
Microbiostatic therapy – It helps to prevent microorganism growth.
Examples of Antibiotics
Penicillin
Penicillin was the first ever “true” antibiotic and it had been discovered by a Scottish bacteriologist, Fleming in 1928 to treat plague and several other bacterial infections. Ironically, Penicillin was an accidental discovery, but it had been a landmark discovery within the field of drugs. It is made from Penicillium notatum, which is a mould.
Types of Penicillin
There are different types of penicillin, which are grouped based on their effectiveness.
Penicillin VK and Penicillin G are natural Penicillin.
Penicillin VK is used against several bacterial infections such as ear infections.
Penicillin G is used against several bacterial infections caused by gram-positive and gram-negative cocci. Example: susceptible bacterial infections in the stomach.
Quinolones
They are the type of antibiotics that have the ability to inhibit or kill the growth of bacteria. Developed in 1962, quinolones are made up of an artificial compound called NegGram. Quinolones are used as a treatment against the urinary tract bacterial infections, sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
Strain Improvement in Antibiotic or Drug Production
Genetic engineering is a set of techniques that are used to modify the biological characteristics of various living organisms. Example: Recombinant DNA technology, Microinjection, etc. A technique that helps to produce genetically improved strains of antibiotics is called the R-DNA technology or recombinant DNA technology.
The wild strain of microorganisms is transformed into the mutant strain so as to extend the yield and quality of antibiotics. The improvement of biosynthetic pathway design and recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid techniques are often achieved so as to enhance antibiotic production.
Role of Antibodies in Antibiotics
Antibody that is also commonly called immunoglobulin is produced by our immune system. This is produced as a form of protective protein to protect our immune system from any foreign substance. This foreign substance is called an antigen. Antibodies, recognize and attack ntigens in order to remove them from the body. They bind to foreign particles and invade them. As foreign particles are always attacked by antibodies, these antibodies work against these antigens.
Antigens are known to be foreign pathogens that invade the body. It binds with the antibodies and produces a response from our immunity system by grouping up with a large molecule. Hence, the invasion of antigens stimulates the production of antibodies by the immune system.
FAQs on Antibiotics
1. Why antibiotics are important?
Antibiotics play a very important role when it comes to curing chronic diseases. Antibiotics help in treating bacterial infections. Some antibiotics also act as antiprotozoal substances, which suggests that they're effective against protozoan infections. However, no antibiotics are effective at combating viruses, hence, to curb viral infections, antiviral drugs are used.
2. Who invented the term antibiotics?
The origins of the term “antibiotics'' are often traced back to the 1800s’ when French bacteriologist Jean Paul Vuillemin introduced the term “antibiosis”, which meant “against life”. He used this term to explain the properties of early antibacterial drugs. The actual term “antibiotics'' was first employed by Selman Waksman in 1942 to explain the inhibitory effects of drugs produced by microorganisms to other microorganisms.
3. What are the types of antibiotics.
There are different types of antibiotics, they are listed below:
Penicillins – They are widely used to treat infections like skin infections, chest infections, urinary tract infections. For example, penicillin, amoxicillin, flucloxacillin.
Cephalosporins – effective for serious infections such as meningitis, septicemia. For example, cefalexin.
Tetracycline – It can be used to treat a variety of infections but it is commonly used to treat acne and rosacea. For example, doxycycline.
Aminoglycosides – It is used in the treatment of serious illnesses such as septicemia but has side effects such as kidney damage. For example, gentamicin.
Fluoroquinolones – It is used to treat a wide range of infections mainly respiratory and UTI. For example, ciprofloxacin.
Macrolides – They can be used for chest and lung infections and alternatively used for people with penicillin allergies. For example, azithromycin, erythromycin.
4. In which year the term antibiotics came in?
The term antibiotics came-in in the year 1942.
5. How can antibiotics be improved by genetic engineering?
Genetically modified organisms can be cultured in a medium to produce antibiotics that are improved and work better against microbes. It is achieved through genetically modifying microorganisms through the recombinant DNA technology which is also known as r-DNA technology.
