Antibiotics Block Growth and Kill Pathogens

Antibiotics are drugs, taken orally, intermuscularly, or intravenously, that counter an infection. They include agents such as penicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and erythromycin. Common bacterial diseases treated with antibiotics are tuberculosis and gonorrhea. Fungal and protozoan diseases are also treatable, but with agents specific for these organisms. (The biochemistry of fungi and protozoa differs substantially from that of bacterial cells.) Antiviral agents constitute a third set of specialized compounds. In general, little cross-reactivity exists among the categories, that is, agents used for fungi do not cure infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or protozoa. However, the principles underlying action and resistance are the....Antibiotic Resistance