By integrating knowledge from pharmacology, microbiology, molecular medicine, and engineering, researchers from Europe, the U.S. and Asia cover a broad spectrum of current and potential antimicrobial medications and treatments. The result is a comprehensive survey ranging from small-molecule antibiotics to antimicrobial peptides and their engineered mimetics, from enzymes to nucleic acid therapeutics, from metallic nanoparticles to photo- and sonosensitizers and to phage therapy. In each case, the therapeutic approaches are compared in terms of their mechanisms, likelihood to induce resistance, and their efficiency in a global healthcare context.Unrivaled knowledge for professionals in fundamental research, pharmaceutical development and clinical practice.

PrefaceTHE PROBLEM OF MICROBIAL DRUG RESISTANCEIntroductionHistory of the Origins, Development, and Use of Conventional AntibioticsProblems of Antibiotic ResistanceMultiple Drug-Resistant (MDR), Extensively Drug-Resistant (XFR), and Pan-Drug-Resistant (PDR) OrganismsMDR Mechanisms of Major PathogensAntimicrobial Stewardship ProgramsDiscussionCONVENTIONAL ANTIBIOTICS - REVITALIZED BY NEW AGENTSIntroductionConventional AntibioticsThe Principle of Combination Antibiotic TherapyAntibiotic Resistance Breakers: Revitalize Conventional AntibioticsDiscussionDEVELOPING NOVEL BACTERIAL TARGETS: CARBONIC ANHYDRASES AS ANTIBACTERIAL DRUG TARGETSIntroductionCarbonic AnhydrasesCA InhibitorsClasses of CAs Present in BacteriaPathogenic Bacterial CAsAlpha-CAs in Pathogenic BacteriaBeta-CAs in Pathogenic BacteriaGamma-CAs from Pathogenic BacteriaConclusionsMAGAININS - A MODEL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF EUKARYOTIC ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES (AMPs)IntroductionMagainins and Their Antimicrobial ActionMagainins as AntibioticsOther Antimicrobial Uses of MagaininsFuture Prospects for MagaininsANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES FROM PROKARYOTESIntroductionBacteriocinsApplications of Prokaryotic AMPsDevelopment and Discovery of Novel AMPPEPTIDOMIMETICS AS ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTSIntroductionAntimicrobial PeptidomimeticsDiscussionSYNTHETIC BIOLOGY AND THERAPIES FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASESCurrent Challenges in the Treatment of Infectious DiseasesIntroduction to Synthetic BiologyVaccinologyBacteriophages: A Re-emerging Solution?Isolated Phage Parts as AntimicrobialsPredatory Bacteria and Probiotic Bacterial TherapyNatural Products Discovery and EngineeringSummaryNANO-ANTIMICROBIALS BASED ON METALSIntroductionSilver Nano-AntimicrobialsCopper Nano-AntimicrobialsZinc Oxide Nano-AntimicrobialsConclusionsNATURAL PRODUCTS AS ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS - AN UPDATEIntroductionAntimicrobial Natural Products from PlantsAntimicrobial Natural Products Bearing an Acetylene FunctionAntimicrobial CarbohydratesAntimicrobial Natural ChromenesAntimicrobial Natural CoumarinsAntimicrobial FlavonoidsAntimicrobial IridoidsAntimicrobial LignansAntimicrobial Phenolics Other Than Flavonoids and LignansAntimicrobial PolypeptidesAntimicrobial PolyketidesAntimicrobial SteroidsAntimicrobial TerpenoidsMiscellaneous Antimicrobial CompoundsPlatensimycin Family as Antibacterial Natural ProductsPHOTODYNAMIC ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPYIntroductionThe Administration and Photoactivation of PSApplications of PACT Based on MBThe Applications of PACT Based on ALAFuture ProspectsTHE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF ULTRASOUNDIntroductionThe Antimicrobial Activity of Ultrasound AloneThe Antimicrobial Activity of Assisted UltrasoundSynergisticEffectsSonosensitizersFuture ProspectsANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY BASED ON ANTISENSE AGENTSIntroductionAntisense OligonucleotidesFirst-Generation ASOsSecond-Generation ASOsThird-Generation ASOsAntisense AntibacterialsBroad-Spectrum Antisense AntibacterialsMethicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)RNA Interference (RNAi)Progress Using siRNADiscussionNEW DELIVERY SYSTEMS - LIPOSOMES FOR PULMONARY DELIVERY OF ANTIBACTERIAL DRUGSIntroductionPulmonary Drug DeliveryLiposomes as Drug Carriers in Pulmonary DeliveryPresent and Future Trends of Liposome Research in Pulmonary Drug DeliveryConclusionsIndex