Main description:

By integrating knowledge from pharmacology, microbiology, molecular medicine, and engineering, researchers from Europe, the U.S. and Asia cover a broad spectrum of current and potential antimicrobial medications and treatments. The result is a comprehensive survey ranging from small-molecule antibiotics to antimicrobial peptides and their engineered mimetics, from enzymes to nucleic acid therapeutics, from metallic nanoparticles to photo- and sonosensitizers and to phage therapy. In each case, the therapeutic approaches are compared in terms of their mechanisms, likelihood to induce resistance, and their efficiency in a global healthcare context. Unrivaled knowledge for professionals in fundamental research, pharmaceutical development and clinical practice.

Contents:

Preface THE PROBLEM OF MICROBIAL DRUG RESISTANCE Introduction History of the Origins, Development, and Use of Conventional Antibiotics Problems of Antibiotic Resistance Multiple Drug-Resistant (MDR), Extensively Drug-Resistant (XFR), and Pan-Drug-Resistant (PDR) Organisms MDR Mechanisms of Major Pathogens Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs Discussion CONVENTIONAL ANTIBIOTICS - REVITALIZED BY NEW AGENTS Introduction Conventional Antibiotics The Principle of Combination Antibiotic Therapy Antibiotic Resistance Breakers: Revitalize Conventional Antibiotics Discussion DEVELOPING NOVEL BACTERIAL TARGETS: CARBONIC ANHYDRASES AS ANTIBACTERIAL DRUG TARGETS Introduction Carbonic Anhydrases CA Inhibitors Classes of CAs Present in Bacteria Pathogenic Bacterial CAs Alpha-CAs in Pathogenic Bacteria Beta-CAs in Pathogenic Bacteria Gamma-CAs from Pathogenic Bacteria Conclusions MAGAININS - A MODEL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF EUKARYOTIC ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES (AMPs) Introduction Magainins and Their Antimicrobial Action Magainins as Antibiotics Other Antimicrobial Uses of Magainins Future Prospects for Magainins ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES FROM PROKARYOTES Introduction Bacteriocins Applications of Prokaryotic AMPs Development and Discovery of Novel AMP PEPTIDOMIMETICS AS ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS Introduction Antimicrobial Peptidomimetics Discussion SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY AND THERAPIES FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES Current Challenges in the Treatment of Infectious Diseases Introduction to Synthetic Biology Vaccinology Bacteriophages: A Re-emerging Solution? Isolated Phage Parts as Antimicrobials Predatory Bacteria and Probiotic Bacterial Therapy Natural Products Discovery and Engineering Summary NANO-ANTIMICROBIALS BASED ON METALS Introduction Silver Nano-Antimicrobials Copper Nano-Antimicrobials Zinc Oxide Nano-Antimicrobials Conclusions NATURAL PRODUCTS AS ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS - AN UPDATE Introduction Antimicrobial Natural Products from Plants Antimicrobial Natural Products Bearing an Acetylene Function Antimicrobial Carbohydrates Antimicrobial Natural Chromenes Antimicrobial Natural Coumarins Antimicrobial Flavonoids Antimicrobial Iridoids Antimicrobial Lignans Antimicrobial Phenolics Other Than Flavonoids and Lignans Antimicrobial Polypeptides Antimicrobial Polyketides Antimicrobial Steroids Antimicrobial Terpenoids Miscellaneous Antimicrobial Compounds Platensimycin Family as Antibacterial Natural Products PHOTODYNAMIC ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY Introduction The Administration and Photoactivation of PS Applications of PACT Based on MB The Applications of PACT Based on ALA Future Prospects THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF ULTRASOUND Introduction The Antimicrobial Activity of Ultrasound Alone The Antimicrobial Activity of Assisted Ultrasound SynergisticEffects Sonosensitizers Future Prospects ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY BASED ON ANTISENSE AGENTS Introduction Antisense Oligonucleotides First-Generation ASOs Second-Generation ASOs Third-Generation ASOs Antisense Antibacterials Broad-Spectrum Antisense Antibacterials Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) RNA Interference (RNAi) Progress Using siRNA Discussion NEW DELIVERY SYSTEMS - LIPOSOMES FOR PULMONARY DELIVERY OF ANTIBACTERIAL DRUGS Introduction Pulmonary Drug Delivery Liposomes as Drug Carriers in Pulmonary Delivery Present and Future Trends of Liposome Research in Pulmonary Drug Delivery Conclusions Index