Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Antibiotic Dereplication Using the Antibiotic Resistance Platform
10:49

Antibiotic Dereplication Using the Antibiotic Resistance Platform

Published on: October 17, 2019

New antibiotics for bad bugs: where are we?

Matteo Bassetti1, Maria Merelli, Chiara Temperoni

  • 1Infectious Diseases Division, Santa Maria Misercordia Hospital, Udine, Italy. mattba@tin.it.

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials
|August 30, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global threat. This review examines new antimicrobial drugs and strategies to combat resistant bacteria like ESKAPE pathogens, highlighting the urgent need for novel treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance is a significant and increasing threat in both community and hospital settings, leading to higher mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs.
  • The rise of multidrug-resistant microorganisms necessitates the development of new antimicrobial compounds that are safe, effective, and have a low resistance potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current data on novel antibiotic classes and molecules from existing classes.
  • To evaluate ongoing trends in antimicrobial drug development.
  • To address the challenge posed by multidrug-resistant pathogens, including the ESKAPE group.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing data on new antibiotics and antimicrobial development trends.
  • Evaluation of initiatives like the Infectious Diseases Society of America's '10 × '20' program.
  • Analysis of antibiotic classes and specific agents targeting resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens.

Main Results:

  • Several new antimicrobial agents, including fifth-generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, and β-lactamase inhibitors, show promise against resistant pathogens.
  • Approved and investigational drugs target critical infections caused by vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).
  • Despite progress, the pipeline of new antibiotics is insufficient to meet the rising prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections.

Conclusions:

  • The development of new antimicrobial agents is crucial to combat the increasing threat of bacterial resistance.
  • A multi-stakeholder approach, including policy guidance and surveillance, is essential for managing antimicrobial resistance.
  • Continued research and development are needed to address the gap between the need for new antibiotics and their availability.

More Related Videos

Generating Transposon Insertion Libraries in Gram-Negative Bacteria for High-Throughput Sequencing08:19

Generating Transposon Insertion Libraries in Gram-Negative Bacteria for High-Throughput Sequencing

Published on: July 7, 2020

Isolation of Soil Microorganisms Using iChip Technology05:33

Isolation of Soil Microorganisms Using iChip Technology

Published on: January 10, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Antibiotic Selection00:57

Antibiotic Selection

Overview
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
Production of Antibiotics01:27

Production of Antibiotics

Penicillin, one of the earliest and most widely used antibiotics, is produced industrially by the filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum. Large stirred-tank bioreactors ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of liters maintain tightly controlled temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen conditions to support fungal metabolism and maximize antibiotic yield. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite, synthesized primarily during the stationary growth phase, which requires a carefully managed...
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.