Antibiotics

In 1877, the concept of Antibiosis was described, marking an important milestone in the understanding of antibiotics.

German physician and scientist Paul Ehrlich begins to systematically search for a chemical agent that will selectively kill bacteria, leading to the synthesis of arsphenamine in 1907.

In 1909, Paul Ehrlich discovered that a chemical called arsphenamine was an effective treatment for syphilis, marking the first modern antibiotic.

In 1910, Paul Ehrlich discovered the synthetic prodrugs salvarsan and neosalvarsan, marking the beginning of the modern antibiotic era. These drugs were used to treat syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum.

In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic. This marked a significant milestone in the history of medicine, revolutionizing the treatment of bacterial infections.

Sulphonamides are the first broad-spectrum antimicrobials used for treating infections in humans and animals.

German chemist Gerhard Domagk discovered the first sulfa drug, Prontosil, in 1935. This marked a significant advancement in the field of antibiotics and treatment of bacterial infections.

Researchers start testing soil bacteria for antibiotic properties, leading to the discovery of streptomycin and cephalosporins.

Starting in 1941, penicillin was found to cure very serious infections and save many lives. It was widely used during World War II for treating battlefield wounds and pneumonia.

By 1942, some strains of Staphylococcus aureus had developed resistance to penicillin, posing a challenge in the treatment of bacterial infections.

Selman Waksman discovers streptomycin, a groundbreaking aminoglycoside drug derived from soil bacteria, revolutionizing the treatment of tuberculosis and other infections despite initial side effects.

During World War II, penicillin was mass produced and widely used to treat troops for infections, earning the nickname 'the wonder drug' for its life-saving capabilities.

In 1945, Alexander Fleming, Howard Florey, and Ernst Chain were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for their groundbreaking discovery of penicillin and its remarkable curative effects on various infectious diseases.

In 1947, legislation was passed in the UK to require a prescription for antibiotics, marking a significant step in regulating the use of these drugs.

Sulfaquinoxaline becomes the first antibiotic routinely administered in poultry feed in the United States to prevent disease.

Antibiotics are first used as growth promoters in animal feed, and horticultural sprays are used to combat disease in fruit trees.

In 1951, the United States followed the UK in passing legislation to require a prescription for antibiotics, aiming to control their distribution and usage.

In 1952, antibiotic-resistant infections were reported in Australia, highlighting the global concern of antimicrobial resistance.

Antibiotics are widely used to promote growth in farm animals, leading to concerns about antibiotic resistance.

In 1965, the first case of penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae was reported from Boston, underscoring the ongoing challenge of antibiotic resistance.

In 1967, a multiresistant strain of E. coli caused the deaths of fifteen children in the UK, highlighting the severe consequences of antibiotic resistance.

In 1971, the UK implemented a ban on the nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in animals, aiming to curb the development of antibiotic resistance.

The last class of clinically used antibiotics, lipopeptides, is discovered.

The European Union bans certain antibiotics used as growth promoters in animals.

New Zealand bans the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed due to concerns about antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

In 2014, R. J. Fair and Y. Tor discussed the relationship between antibiotics and bacterial resistance in the 21st century in their publication. The study provides insights into the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance.

As of 2020, there are promising signs for antibiotic discovery, with new technologies such as genome mining and editing being utilized to discover novel natural products with diverse bioactivities. These advancements offer hope for combating antimicrobial resistance and developing effective antibiotics.

Antibiotics have transformed the medical field by effectively treating bacterial infections that were once incurable, preventing minor infections from becoming deadly.

The article explores the relationship between diet and the effectiveness of antibiotics.

Antibiotics have significantly extended human lifespan, but the threat of antibiotic resistance prompts policymakers to address the issue.