The Invisible Battle Advances in antibiotic therapy: a brief historical overview, clinical use, and the challenges of bacterial resistance

Abstract

Antibiotics are considered one of the most important therapeutic discoveries in the history of medicine. It is worth noting that, in recent years, there has been significant development of new cephalosporins and carbapenems. There is historical data on the development of antibiotics that should be reviewed. Records exist of the use of moldy bread (Penicillium) in various cultures (Egypt, China, Greece) dating back more than 2,000 years; likewise, medicinal earth (mineral-rich clay) was used in ancient times for its healing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties. In 1928, Fleming observed that moldy bread (containing a fungus he named Penicillium) inhibited the growth of bacteria in vitro, and later, Florey and Chain synthesized penicillin (Nobel Prize 1945). In the 1930s, Domagk synthesized Prontosil (sulfa), which was the first antibacterial drug available to treat infections in humans (Nobel Prize 1939). In 1964 the era of cephalosporins began with cephalothin and cephaloridine.