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Synergism is a useful mechanism where combining two or more drugs is more effective than each constituent used alone. Such combinations are also called supra-additive interactions. The drugs collectively enhance the final therapeutic effect by acting on different targets. Another advantage is that the low dose of each constituent drug is sufficient to achieve the desired effect. This helps reduce the duration of therapy and lower the adverse effects of these drugs.
Such synergistic combinations...
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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.
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Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
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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...
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Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
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The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
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Broad-spectrum therapeutics: A new antimicrobial class.

Anton Firth1, Praveen Prathapan1

  • 1New Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.

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|December 6, 2021
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Summary

Drug repositioning offers a strategy for pandemic preparedness, identifying broad-spectrum therapeutics (BSTs) with antiviral activity. Establishing a BST framework can improve global response to future health emergencies.

Keywords:
AntimicrobialBroad-spectrum therapeuticCOVID-19Drug repositioning

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Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Pandemics lack specific emergency treatments, necessitating rapid therapeutic development.
  • Drug repositioning is a key strategy for identifying COVID-19 treatments from existing drugs.
  • Antibiotics like azithromycin and antiparasitics like nitazoxanide show promise as antiviral agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight drug repositioning as a primary strategy for pandemic treatment development.
  • To introduce broad-spectrum therapeutics (BSTs) as a class of antimicrobials with potential against diverse pathogens.
  • To advocate for a developmental framework for BSTs to enhance global health emergency preparedness.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on drug repositioning for viral infections.
  • Analysis of the antiviral properties of non-antiviral drug classes, including antibiotics and antiparasitics.
  • Conceptual framework development for BSTs.

Main Results:

  • Drug repositioning has identified potential antiviral therapeutics, including azithromycin and nitazoxanide.
  • Broad-spectrum therapeutics (BSTs) demonstrate activity against multiple pathogen types.
  • The identified agents are safe, non-antiviral candidates repurposed for therapeutic use.

Conclusions:

  • Drug repositioning is a viable strategy for rapid development of pandemic therapeutics.
  • Broad-spectrum therapeutics (BSTs) represent a promising class of drugs for future health emergencies.
  • A structured developmental framework for BSTs is crucial for improving global pandemic preparedness.