This textbook builds on the success of the earlier edition, offering alternative strategies for discovering new antibiotics. It discusses how the various types of antibiotics and related drugs work to cure infections. Then it delves into the very serious matter of how bacteria are becoming resistant to these antibiotics. It also covers the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance from the World Health Organization and discusses several Antibiotic Stewardship Programs adopted by agencies at local levels. Appropriate for a one-semester course at either the graduate or advanced undergraduate level, the book is self-contained and written in accessible language. It includes all necessary background biochemistry material and a discussion of the latest developments in the field of antibiotics. Original research works are frequently cited and experimental procedures and interpretation of results are emphasized.

This book presents a thorough and authoritative overview of the multifaceted field of antibiotic science – offering guidance to translate research into tools for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases. Provides readers with knowledge about the broad field of drug resistance Offers guidance to translate research into tools for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases Links strategies to analyze microbes to the development of new drugs, socioeconomic impacts to therapeutic strategies, and public policies to antibiotic-resistance-prevention strategies

Antimicrobial agents are essential for the treatment of life-threatening infections and for managing the burden of minor infections in the community. In addition, they play a key role in organ and bone marrow transplantation, cancer chemotherapy, artificial joint and heart valve surgery. Unlike other classes of medicines, they are vulnerable to resistance from mutations in target microorganisms, and their adverse effects may extend to other patients (increased risk of cross-infection). As a consequence, there is a constant requirement for new agents, as well as practices that ensure the continued effective prescribing of licensed agents. Public awareness and concerns about drug resistant organisms has led to widespread publicity and political action in the UK, Europe and worldwide. The control of drug resistance and the implementation of good prescribing practice are now legal requirements in the UK as a result of the UK Health Act (2008). These fundamental changes underscore the need for a thorough understanding of the advantages and risks associated with specific antibiotic choices. This sixth edition of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy continues to be a valuable resource for undergraduates and graduates requiring a thorough grounding in the scientific basis and clinical application of these drugs. This new edition is updated to include the most recently licensed agents, notably in the treatment of viral infections including HIV/AIDS, and contains new guidance on prescribing practice and infection control practices that limit the development and spread of resistant organisms.

This volume covers all aspects of the antibiotic discovery and development process through Phase II/III. The contributors, a group of highly experienced individuals in both academics and industry, include chapters on the need for new antibiotic compounds, strategies for screening for new antibiotics, sources of novel synthetic and natural antibiotics, discovery phases of lead development and optimization, and candidate compound nominations into development. Beyond discovery , the handbook will cover all of the studies to prepare for IND submission: Phase I (safety and dose ranging), progression to Phase II (efficacy), and Phase III (capturing desired initial indications). This book walks the reader through all aspects of the process, which has never been done before in a single reference. With the rise of antibiotic resistance and the increasing view that a crisis may be looming in infectious diseases, there are strong signs of renewed emphasis in antibiotic research. The purpose of the handbook is to offer a detailed overview of all aspects of the problem posed by antibiotic discovery and development.

This volume provides an excellent survey of the chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology and clinical use of the oral cephalosporins in general and the newer agents in particular. The cephalosporins have long provided satisfactory treatment for many disorders without causing serious side effects; and over the past fifty years forms with different antimicrobial, pharmacologic and toxicologic properties have been developed. Despite the broad spectrum of their activity against a large variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, the third-generation oral cephalosporins including the prodrug esters do not work against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant staphylococci, enterococci or Bacteroides species. Many, however, are suitable for treating infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts and of the skin and its structure, as well as certain sexually-transmitted diseases. Authors consider other possible uses, against multi-resistant Enterobacteriaceae for instance, but also point out the limitations of the oral cephalosporins. For those working in the fields of infectious disease, bacteriology, chemotherapy, pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics, this book is a valuable source of authoritative information.

Humans coexist with millions of harmless microorganisms, but emerging diseases, resistance to antibiotics, and the threat of bioterrorism are forcing scientists to look for new ways to confront the microbes that do pose a danger. This report identifies innovative approaches to the development of antimicrobial drugs and vaccines based on a greater understanding of how the human immune system interacts with both good and bad microbes. The report concludes that the development of a single superdrug to fight all infectious agents is unrealistic.

Cyclic peptides are increasingly employed as chemical tools in biology and drug discovery. They have gained a lot of interest as alternative sources of new drugs to traditional small molecules. This book introduces cyclic peptides and provides a thorough overview of biosynthetic and fully synthetic approaches to their preparation. Following an introduction to cyclic peptides, biosynthetic and traditional chemical routes to cyclic peptides are reviewed. Due to their size, their synthesis is not trivial. Recent advances in the incorporation of novel structural units are presented in addition to how synthesis and biological methods can be combined. The chemical analysis of this molecular class is also discussed. Furthermore, chapters detail the progression of cyclic peptides as tools in biology and as potential drugs, providing a future vision of their importance. In total, this book provides the reader with a comprehensive view of the state-of-the-art of cyclic peptides, from construction to possible clinical utility. This book will be an essential resource for students, researchers and scientists within industry in medicinal, bioorganic, natural product and analytical chemistry fields.

Antibacterial agents act against bacterial infection either by killing the bacterium or by arresting its growth. They do this by targeting bacterial DNA and its associated processes, attacking bacterial metabolic processes including protein synthesis, or interfering with bacterial cell wall synthesis and function. Antibacterial Agents is an essential guide to this important class of chemotherapeutic drugs. Compounds are organised according to their target, which helps the reader understand the mechanism of action of these drugs and how resistance can arise. The book uses an integrated “lab-to-clinic” approach which covers drug discovery, source or synthesis, mode of action, mechanisms of resistance, clinical aspects (including links to current guidelines, significant drug interactions, cautions and contraindications), prodrugs and future improvements. Agents covered include: agents targeting DNA - quinolone, rifamycin, and nitroimidazole antibacterial agents agents targeting metabolic processes - sulfonamide antibacterial agents and trimethoprim agents targeting protein synthesis - aminoglycoside, macrolide and tetracycline antibiotics, chloramphenicol, and oxazolidinones agents targeting cell wall synthesis - β-Lactam and glycopeptide antibiotics, cycloserine, isonaizid, and daptomycin Antibacterial Agents will find a place on the bookshelves of students of pharmacy, pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, drug design/discovery, and medicinal chemistry, and as a bench reference for pharmacists and pharmaceutical researchers in academia and industry.

Fully reviewed and revised for its second edition, the Oxford Handbook of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology maintains its position as the must-have guide to all aspects of infectious diseases and microbiology. Reflecting the current approach to joint postgraduate training programmes, the handbook takes an integrated approach to both subjects. It covers the basic principles of bacteriology and virology, along with specific guidance on individual diseases and conditions, all in the accessible Oxford Handbook style. Now including new topics on important subjects such as microbiology specimen collection, commonly used media, molecular diagnostics, and antimicrobials in pregnancy, as well as incorporating new guidelines from WHO, NICE, and BASHH among others, this handbook ensures that the informaiton you need is accessible, clear, and easy-to-understand. Practical and comprehensive, this handbook includes coverage of National Frameworks and current legislation, together with information on topical issues such as bioterrorism and preventative medicine. Fully reviewed by specialist senior readers, and with useful links to up-to-date clinical information and online resources, this is an important addition to the Oxford Handbook Series.

Chemistry and Biology of ?-Lactam Antibiotics, Volume 1: Penicillins and Cephalosporins provides information pertinent to the study of antibiotics containing the ?-lactam moiety. This book discusses the occurrence of a group of ?-lactam antibiotics structurally related to cephalosporin C. Organized into five chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the mechanism of action of ?-lactam antibiotics that caused many microbiologists to develop screening tools for the detection of the ?-lactam moiety. This text then discusses the discovery of the nocardicins, the thienamycins, and olivanic acids. Other chapters provide a summary of the essential penicillin sulfoxide chemistry that gave rise to many compounds. This book discusses as well the ability of chemists to predict the level of biological activity of a compound from knowledge of its structure through theoretical and physicochemical studies. The final chapter deals with quantitative structure–activity relationships. This book is a valuable resource for microbiologists, chemists, and scientists.