Fifty Years of Antimicrobials: Past Perspectives and Future Trends

ISBN-13: 9780521481083 / Angielski / Twarda / 1995 / 388 str.

P. A. Hunter;G. K. Darby (Wellcome Research Laboratories);N. J. Russell (University of Wales College of Cardiff)

Opis

In the fifty years since the inception of the Society for General Microbiology, the study of pathogenic microbes and the development of methods for their control has been a focus of attention for many microbiologists. This volume reviews the immense progress that has been made during the past half-century. It opens with the text of Sir Alexander Fleming's 1946 Linacre Lecture Chemotherapy: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, and then considers the development of key antimicrobial compounds, both naturally occurring and synthetic, active against bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. Contributors also treat broader issues of antimicrobial production, screening, improvements and resistance. Topics such as why epidemics still occur and the need for new antibiotics highlight the fact that, despite the advances, the fight against infection continues unabated.

Recenzje

"This volume substantially exceeded my expectations. Biochemical details are, in general, woven into coherent accounts of general research problems and historical progressions. In a number of places the lessons of the past offer potentially useful insights for future work." Marc Lipsitch, The Quarterly Review of Biology

Spis treści

Preface P. Hunter; 1. Chemotherapy: yesterday, today and tomorrow A. Fleming; 2. New developments in non-azole fungicides for humans P. Hunter; 3. Discovery and development of beta lactam antimicrobials G. Rolinson; 4. The need for new antibiotics; possible ways forward H. Zähner and H.-P. Fielder; 5. Control of fungi pathogenic to plants P. Russell, R. Milling and K. Wright; 6. Quinolines: synthetic antibacterial agents D. Chu and L. Shen; 7. Molecular genetics of antimicrobials: a case study of beta-lactam antibiotics G. Cohen and Y. Aharonowitz; 8. Who needs new antimicrobials? J. Ryley; 9. Why do we still get epidemics? K. Kerr and R. Lacey; 10. Why do microorganisms produce antimicrobials? A. Demain; 11. Antimalarials: from quinine to atovaquone M. Pudney; 12. Genetic engineering of microbes: virus insecticides - a case study D. Bishop, M. Hirst, R. Possee and J. Cory; 13. Only 35 years of antiviral nucleoside analogues! G. Darby; 14. Antiprotozoal drugs: some echoes, some shadows S. Croft; 15. Biocides: activity, action and resistance A. Russell and N. Russell; Index.