[Current trends in antibacterial chemotherapy (author's transl)]

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Medicinal Chemistry

Context:

• Antibiotics are crucial in global healthcare, but widespread resistance in bacteria like *S. pneumoniae* and *N. gonorrhoeae* necessitates new therapeutic approaches.
• The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, including those causing nosocomial infections, highlights the limitations of current chemotherapy.
• Drug toxicity and side effects also fuel the demand for improved antibacterial agents with better efficacy and safety profiles.

Purpose:

• To review the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance and the progress in developing novel antibacterial agents.
• To explore advancements in modifying existing antibiotic classes, such as beta-lactams and aminoglycosides.
• To highlight innovative strategies like targeting multiple steps in bacterial metabolic pathways for new drug discovery.

Summary:

• Significant progress has been made in the hemisynthesis of beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antibiotics, yielding compounds with reduced toxicity and enhanced resistance to bacterial enzymes.
• Modifications to macrolides and sulfonamides have resulted in new products and synergistic combinations.
• A promising modern approach involves developing compounds that inhibit sequential steps in bacterial metabolic pathways.

Impact:

• The development of novel antibacterial agents is crucial for overcoming resistance and improving treatment outcomes for bacterial infections.
• Advancements in medicinal chemistry and drug design offer new hope for combating challenging pathogens.
• The exploration of new therapeutic targets and rational drug design strategies promises to enhance the future of antibacterial chemotherapy.