Fresh approaches to anti-infective therapies.

TitleFresh approaches to anti-infective therapies.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsNathan C
JournalSci Transl Med
Volume4
Issue140
Pagination140sr2
Date Published2012 Jun 27
ISSN1946-6242
KeywordsAnimals, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Bacteria, Bacterial Infections, Drug Resistance, Microbial, Humans
Abstract

If discovery of new antibiotics continues to falter while resistance to drugs in clinical use continues to spread, society's medicine chest will soon lack effective treatments for many infections. Heritable antibiotic resistance emerges in bacteria from nonheritable resistance, also called phenotypic tolerance. This widespread phenomenon is closely linked to nonproliferative states in ways that scientists are just beginning to understand. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms of phenotypic tolerance may reveal new drug targets in the infecting organisms. At the same time, researchers must investigate ways to target the host in order to influence host-pathogen relationships. Government must reform the regulatory process for approval of new antibiotics. The private sector, government, and academia must undertake multiple, organized, multidisciplinary, parallel efforts to improve the ways in which antibiotics are discovered, tested, approved, and conserved, or it will be difficult to sustain the modern practice of medicine.

DOI10.1126/scitranslmed.3003081
Alternate JournalSci Transl Med
PubMed ID22745440
PubMed Central IDPMC3712344
Grant ListAI064768 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI064768 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States

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