Antibiotic
Antibiotics are antimicrobial substances active against bacteria.
An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria, and it is the most important type of antibacterial agent for fighting bacterial infections. Antibiotic medications are widely used in the treatment and prevention of such infections, either killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria. A limited number of antibiotics also possess antiprotozoal activity, but they are not effective against viruses or fungi. The term 'antibiotic'—literally 'opposing life'—derives from Greek roots, and in normal medical usage, antibiotics such as penicillin are those produced naturally by one microorganism fighting another, whereas non-antibiotic antibacterials are fully synthetic. Both classes are included in antimicrobial chemotherapy.
- field
- Medicine, Microbiology
- known_for
- Treatment and prevention of bacterial infections; revolutionized medicine in the 20th century
- modern_discovery
- Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928
Lore & Background
Chemical analyses of Nubian skeletons show consistent, high levels of tetracycline, a powerful antibiotic. Researchers believe they were brewing beverages from grain fermented with Streptomyces, a bacterium that naturally produces tetracycline. This intentional routine use marks a foundational moment in medical history. In other ancient civilizations, including Egypt, China, Serbia, Greece, and Rome, later evidence shows topical application of moldy bread to treat infections.
Reader's Guide
Antibiotics revolutionized medicine in the 20th century. Synthetic antibiotic chemotherapy as a science began in Germany with Paul Ehrlich in the late 1880s. Alexander Fleming discovered modern-day penicillin in 1928, the widespread use of which proved significantly beneficial during wartime. However, the effectiveness and easy access to antibiotics have also led to their overuse, and some bacteria have evolved resistance to them. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a naturally occurring process, is primarily driven by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. The World Health Organization has classified AMR as a widespread serious threat happening now in every region.
Did You Know?
- The term 'antibiotic' was first used in 1942 by Selman Waksman and his collaborators.
- Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928.
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