Antibiotics: The Attack of Microbes

Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida, USA

Antibiotics: The Attack of Microbes, MBS, College of Medical Sciences Objective: This article will focus its discussion on the three major mechanisms utilized by antibiotics to suppress bacterial cell growth: inhibition of cell wall synthesis, cessation of protein synthesis, and modification of DNA synthesis. Moreover, a brief method of action that bacteria have acquired to evade inhibition will be presented. Background: Within the past few decades, antibiotics have slowly lost their effectiveness due to an increase in the prevalence of bacterial resistance. The success and failure of antibiotics necessitates the understanding of their natural history and mechanism of action. Lastly, the current overuse of antibiotics in a hospital setting will be reevaluated by analyzing the emergence of antibiotic resistance in patients. Methods: Nine articles related to cell wall synthesis inhibition, seventeen articles related to protein synthesis inhibition and fifteen articles related to DNA synthesis inhibition were analyzed and reviewed in order to gather the data necessary. In addition, about thirty articles on the societal implication of antibiotics resistance and its effect in healthcare were used. Conclusion: The dramatic increase in antibiotic resistance has rendered us vulnerable to frequent medical and surgical complications, added health care costs, and increased mortality. Combating antibiotic resistance will require a concerted effort from all facets of society including legislation and enforcement action from the governmental levels. Therefore, leading to the improvement of monitoring the use of prescription drugs, classification populations at risk, and prompt response to outbreaks and cases of infraction.