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Last Updated:
2024-04-07 11:37:06

Antibiotics

History of antibiotics development and impact on medicine.
History of antibiotics development and impact on medicine.

Antibiotics revolutionized medicine, discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming. Used for millennia, they extend human lifespan and treat bacterial infections effectively.

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1877
Antibiosis described

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

1900
Search for Chemicals with 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.

1909
Discovery of Arsenic as Treatment for Syphilis

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

1910
Discovery of Salvarsan and Neosalvarsan

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.

1928
Discovery of Penicillin by Alexander Fleming

In 1928, Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin when he noticed that a fungus, Penicillium notatum, had contaminated a culture plate of Staphylococcus bacteria he had left uncovered. The fungus created bacteria-free zones wherever it grew on the plate, leading to the isolation and cultivation of the mould in pure culture.

1930
Sulphonamides Discovered

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

1935
Discovery of Prontosil

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.

1940
Soil Bacteria Testing for Antibiotic Properties

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

1941
Therapeutic Use of Penicillin

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.

1942
Development of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

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

1943
Discovery of Streptomycin

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

1944
Mass Production of Penicillin during World War II

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.

1945
Nobel Prize awarded for the discovery of penicillin

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.

1947
Legislation requiring prescription for antibiotics in the UK

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.

1948
First Antibiotic Licensed for Animal Feeds

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

1950
Antibiotics Used for Animal Growth

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

1951
Legislation requiring prescription for antibiotics in the United States

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

1952
Reported antibiotic-resistant infections in Australia

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

1960
Global Increase in Antibiotic Use in Food Production

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

1965
First case of penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae

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

1967
Multiresistant strain of E. coli kills fifteen children in the UK

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

1971
Ban on nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in animals in the UK

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

1987
Discovery of Lipopeptides

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

1997
Restriction on Growth-Promoting Antibiotics

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

2002
New Zealand Bans Growth-Promoting Antibiotics

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

2014
Antibiotics and Bacterial Resistance in the 21st Century

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.

2020
Promising signs for antibiotic discovery

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.

2021-02-23
Impact of Antibiotics Today

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

2022-06-21
Does What You Eat Affect Antibiotic Effectiveness?

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

2023
Impact of Antibiotics on Human Lifespan

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

End of the Timeline
Antibiotics

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Antibiotics

History of antibiotics development and impact on medicine.
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