New antibacterials?

Abstract

Resistance in bacterial human pathogens is a major concern. While we can look forward to new antibacterial agents to add to our treatment arsenal, we must not rely on this approach to serve us indefinitely in the future. The diminished availability of effective antimicrobial agents for the treatment of serious infections, and especially those acquired via contact with the health care system, demands a renewed emphasis on infection prevention and control efforts to prevent transmission of these pathogens to vulnerable individuals with complex medical problems. A look to the preantibiotic era can remind us of our past successes in managing bacterial infection and serve as a foundation for developing new and more effective nonantibiotic approaches to the prevention and management and, hopefully, ultimately a reduction in the impact of these infections. ©2010 Pulsus Group Inc. All rights reserved.