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Updated: May 17, 2026
08:08
Antimicrobial Characterization of Advanced Materials for Bioengineering Applications
Published on: August 4, 2018
Current and future challenges in the development of antimicrobial agents
1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. Robert.rennie@albertahealthservices.ca
Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology
|October 24, 2012
Summary
Micro-organisms rapidly develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs, posing a significant threat. New strategies, including novel compounds and combination therapies, are crucial to combatting antimicrobial resistance and ensuring effective treatments.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research
- Drug Discovery and Development
Background:
- Micro-organisms possess inherent resistance mechanisms that can be activated in response to antimicrobial pressure.
- The widespread use of antibiotics has accelerated the evolution of drug-resistant bacteria, including Gram-positive (e.g., MRSA, VRE) and Gram-negative (e.g., ESBL, CRE) pathogens.
- Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health crisis, impacting treatment efficacy for bacterial and fungal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the landscape of antimicrobial resistance determinants in clinically significant pathogens.
- To explore current and emerging strategies for developing new antimicrobial agents and therapeutic approaches.
- To emphasize the importance of antimicrobial stewardship in mitigating the spread of resistance.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.
- Analysis of challenges posed by multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
- Examination of novel drug development approaches, including targeted compounds, new targets, combination therapies, and advanced delivery systems.
Main Results:
- Identification of key resistant strains such as MRSA, VRE, PRSP, ESBL-producing bacteria, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).
- Highlighting the transferability of resistance genes between bacterial species, leading to difficult-to-treat infections.
- Discussion of the extension of resistance issues to fungal pathogens.
Conclusions:
- The development of novel antimicrobial agents and therapeutic modalities is essential to overcome resistance.
- Pre-clinical models are vital for predicting the clinical efficacy and safety of new antimicrobial treatments.
- Antimicrobial stewardship programs are a critical component in the ongoing fight against antimicrobial resistance.
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