Fighting infection: an ongoing challenge, part 3-antimycobacterials, antifungals, and antivirals

The first part of this series provided a brief overview of how antimicrobials, the "silver bullets" of modern medicine, are designed to target specific agents of infection. The second part addressed several classes of antibacterials: bacterial cell wall inhibitors (penicillins, cephalosporins), protein synthesis inhibitors (macrolides, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides), and nucleic acid inhibitors (sulfonamides and quinolones). This third section focus on those drugs used to treat mycobacterial infections (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), fungal infections (Candida species, Aspergillus species), and viral infections (herpes, hepatitis, and influenza). Selected agents in each classification are identified, with a look at the specific use, action, and potential for adverse effects. A brief comment about the challenges for future development of antimicrobials is included.