Introduction
During the 19 th century, infections were a major cause of deaths among world population. The advent of antibiotics played a pivotal role in infection treatment and consequent decrease in morbidity and mortality. The study explores the meaning of antibiotics, their origin, mechanism of action, the concept of antibiotic resistance and proposes changes to reduce the resistance.
Discussion
Antibiotics are type of antimicrobial medicines that fight bacterial infections by inhibiting replication and subsequent growth of bacterium or by outrightly killing them. In other words, they are a group of powerful drugs used as antidotes to treat infections caused by germs originating from certain parasites and bacteria. According to Fernandes and Martens (2017), they are a type of anti-bacterial agents and the most active chemotherapeutics which exhibit their therapeutic effect by antagonizing bacterial reproduction. Antibiotics are derived from special micro-organisms produced using the fermentation process on an industrial scale. The substances are obtained from living organisms such as moulds, fungi or certain soil bacteria that are injurious to disease causing bacteria. During fermentation, the source of micro-organism are reproduced in large containers for example 100,000 to 150,000 litres harbouring liquid growth medium ( Kalesseet et al., 2016) . Upon completion of fermentation process, antibiotics are extracted and purified to a crystalline end product.
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Anti-biotics work through 5 different modes of action. First, they work by inhibiting synthesis of cell wall. Antibiotics such as vancomycin and penicillin target cell walls and therefore inhibit or kill the bacterial organisms ( Dowling, O’Dwyer & Adley, 2017) . Second, the antibiotics act by inhibiting cell membrane function. The substances disrupt the cell membrane structure leading to leakage of solutes which are critical for cell survival. Examples are colistin and polymixin B. Third, antibiotics work by inhibiting protein synthesis which is an essential process for reproduction of bacterial cells. The antibacterial agents bind the 30S or 50S intracellular ribosome sub-units leading to disruption of normal cellular metabolism and consequent death of the bacteria. Examples are macrolides and aminoglycosides. Anti-bacteria also work by inhibiting synthesis of nucleic acid. RNA and DNA are key to multiplication of bacteria. Antibiotics work by binding the DNA or RNA synthesis components leading to interference of cellular process thereby compromising bacterial growth ( Dowling et al., 2017) . Examples of such antibiotics include rifampin and metronidazole. Last, the antibiotics work by disrupting metabolic processes necessary for bacterial pathogen growth. Trimethoprim and sulphonamides are examples of such antibiotics which interfere with folic acid pathway. Certain antibiotics only inhibit reproduction of certain microorganisms as some of the substances are highly specialized implying that they are effective only to certain bacteria. Broad spectrum antibiotics relates to substances that act on two major classifications of bacterial groups or any antibiotic that acts by inhibiting multiplication of wide range of disease causing bacteria ( Buckel et al., 2017) . The broad spectrum target multiple strains of different bacteria whose structures and metabolic functions are common. Narrow spectrum antibiotics work by targeting few types or specific group of bacteria. Narrow spectrum have more targeted approach and are more specific in their course.
According to World Health Organizations, antibiotic resistance is surging to dangerous levels across the globe thereby threatening ability to cure common infectious diseases. The increasing resistance is due to the rise of antibiotic abuse where they are purchased for use without prescription. As Gao et al., (2018) explain, due to lack of standard treatment guidelines in some countries, antibiotics are over-prescribed by healthcare workers and overused by public leading to increased resistance levels. Research indicates that powerful antibiotic medications are used frequently than necessary leading to increased ability of microbes to withstand medication effects ( Gao et al., 2018) . Policy makers ought to establish a robust national action plan to address the antibiotic resistance menace. Policies and programs on antibiotic usage prevention and control measures ought to be reinforced. Information on impact of antibiotic resistance should be made publicly available to promote appropriate use and disposal of the medicines ( Gao et al., 2018) . In my view, health care professionals should enact changes relating to prescription and dispensation of antibiotics according to guidelines only when needed. I also hold the view that the healthcare industry should invest in research and development of novel antibiotics to curtail the effect caused by overly used ones.
Conclusion
Antibiotics are a critical class of medicines essential in fighting reproduction and multiplication of disease causing germs globally. The antibiotics are either categorized as broad spectrum and narrow spectrum. Due to the increased rise in antibiotic resistance, caution ought to be taken by individual users, policy makers, health professionals and the agriculture sector to minimize over-prescription of the medicines.
References
Buckel, W. R., Stenehjem, E., Sorensen, J., Dean, N., & Webb, B. (2017). Broad-versus narrow-spectrum oral antibiotic transition and outcomes in health care–associated pneumonia. Annals of the American Thoracic Society , 14 (2), 200-205.
Dowling, A., O’Dwyer, J., & Adley, C. (2017). Antibiotics: mode of action and mechanisms of resistance. Formatex Research Center: Badajoz, Spain , 536-545.
Fernandes, P., & Martens, E. (2017). Antibiotics in late clinical development. Biochemical pharmacology , 133 , 152-163.
Kalesse, M., Böhm, A., Kipper, A., & Wandelt, V. (2016). Synthesis of Antibiotics. In How to Overcome the Antibiotic Crisis (pp. 419-445). Springer, Cham.
Gao, P., Sun, H., Davies, J. U. L. I. A. N., & Kao, R. Y. T. (2018). Alternative strategies to tackle antibiotics resistance. In 2018 World Life Science Conference .
