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Updated: May 10, 2026
08:58
Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
Frontline antibiotic therapy.
Alasdair MacGowan1, Maha Albur
1University of Bristol, UK. alasdair.macgowan@nbt.nhs.uk
Clinical Medicine (London, England)
|June 14, 2013
Summary
Wise antibiotic use is critical due to rising antibiotic resistance and multi-drug resistant infections. Older antibiotics are increasingly used against resistant pathogens, while new drug development has slowed significantly.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance and multi-drug resistant infections are significant global health threats.
- The overuse of antibiotics drives the development of resistance.
- There is a critical need for judicious use of front-line antibiotics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the increasing challenge of antibiotic resistance.
- To discuss the resurgence of older antibiotics against multi-drug resistant pathogens.
- To contextualize recent antibiotic stewardship guidance in England.
Main Methods:
- Review of current trends in antibiotic use and resistance.
- Analysis of the development pipeline for new antibacterials.
- Consideration of recent national guidance on antibiotic stewardship.
Main Results:
- Older antibiotics (colistin, fosfomycin, pivmecillinam, pristinamycin, temocillin, oral tetracyclines) are increasingly employed for multi-drug resistant infections.
- The development of novel antibacterials has significantly declined over the past two decades.
- Newer agents primarily target Gram-positive infections.
Conclusions:
- The strategic use of existing and older antibiotics is crucial for managing multi-drug resistant infections.
- The limited pipeline of new antibacterials underscores the importance of antibiotic stewardship.
- National guidance will shape hospital antibiotic practices in the coming years.
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