Tag: Antimicrobial agents

Antimicrobial resistance led to an estimated 1.27 million global deaths in 2019, highlighting the critical importance of understanding and correctly utilizing these powerful agents. Beyond just antibiotics, antimicrobial agents encompass a wide array of drugs, and their classification is complex, based on several key factors.

Over 5,400 sulfonamide drug variations were synthesized by 1945, a testament to the early success of these synthetic antibacterials. The effectiveness of these drugs stems from a critical observation: what is sulphonamide structurally similar to? The answer is $p$-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), a key bacterial metabolite.

Nobel laureate Paul Ehrlich introduced the concept of selective toxicity, his "magic bullet" theory, in the early 20th century, envisioning a chemical agent that could eliminate pathogens without damaging the host. This idea became the guiding principle for creating the safer and more effective medications we use today.