Antibiotics exert powerful antibacterial effects by disrupting bacterial survival mechanisms, but they face new challenges due to the emergence of resistant bacteria. We explore the mechanism of antibiotic action and strategies to overcome resistance.
In China, moldy tofu was used to treat pimples and boils as early as 2,500 years ago. Similarly, in Korea, soybean paste was applied to wounds as a folk remedy, suggesting our ancestors already recognized the efficacy of the antibiotic substances present in soybean paste. This demonstrates how ancient people discovered and utilized diverse healing methods found in nature. In the West too, the concept of ‘antimicrobial’ – that ‘one microorganism can kill another’ – was known even before Fleming discovered penicillin, but research and active application were lacking. These early discoveries laid the foundation for antibiotic development, yet a systematic and scientific approach was absent.
In modern times, antibiotics have come to play a crucial role in various fields. Beyond medicine, antibiotics have become essential tools in agriculture for preventing and treating livestock diseases, directly impacting food safety. However, antibiotic misuse can cause serious problems. For instance, antibiotics used in livestock can transfer to humans, promoting the emergence of resistant bacteria. Therefore, strict management and regulation of antibiotic use are necessary.
Among the hundreds of antimicrobial agents developed to date, some are isolated from microorganisms like bacteria and fungi found in nature, while others are chemically synthesized. Among these, drugs like isoniazid and ethambutol, used to treat tuberculosis, are synthetic. Since they are not produced by living microorganisms, they are not strictly considered antibiotics. The distinction between antibiotics and antimicrobial agents lies in their origin and mode of action, which significantly influences drug selection and treatment strategies. Furthermore, antibiotics derived from nature often exhibit broader spectrum activity against microorganisms, whereas synthetic antibiotics frequently target specific pathogens.
The mechanism by which penicillin, the first antibiotic discovered by humans, acts on bacteria is as follows. Typically, the bacterial cell wall contains a layer called peptidoglycan. In the final stage of its biosynthesis, an enzyme called transpeptidase links glycoproteins located outside the cell wall. Penicillin inhibits this enzyme, preventing the growth and division of bacteria infecting the human body, thereby causing the bacteria to die. Bacterial lysis involves an enzyme called autolysins. Penicillin reduces the autolysins present within the bacteria, causing the cell to break down rapidly. This mechanism became known when mutant bacteria were isolated that remained resistant to lysis even when inhibited by penicillin. Thus, penicillin exerts its potent antibacterial effect by directly interfering with the survival mechanisms of bacteria. However, bacteria resistant to penicillin can emerge, producing penicillinase enzymes that prevent penicillin from activating. Such bacteria are said to be resistant to penicillin. Treatment for these resistant bacteria can be resolved by selecting antibiotics with entirely different mechanisms of action.
We directly administer antibiotics to the body when suffering from a severe cold. In the early stages of a cold, the influenza virus causing the illness is left alone, and pain relievers, decongestants, and fever reducers are used to alleviate symptoms like headaches, runny nose, and high fever. However, if a secondary bacterial infection develops in the throat during the later stages, doctors often prescribe antibiotics. This prescription aims to prevent complications caused by bacterial infections, not the original virus. If symptoms still don’t improve, doctors may increase the antibiotic dosage or prescribe a different antibiotic. This is a necessary measure because bacterial resistance or drug effectiveness can vary between patients.
To overcome antibiotic resistance, there is a constant need for entirely new types of antibiotics, different from those used until now. The rise of resistant bacteria presents a major challenge to the medical community. This goes beyond simply developing new drugs; it includes optimizing antibiotic use, preventing misuse, and exploring ways to repurpose existing drugs. Solving the problem of resistant bacteria requires global cooperation and the establishment of international regulatory and management systems. For this reason, countless researchers and pharmaceutical companies continue their research and development, searching every corner of the globe for new types of antibiotics. This is because humanity wants to maintain the advantage it has secured so far in the war against bacteria. Whether bacteria die or humans die, even the Creator would not wish for the extinction of humanity, whom He created with love. Only humans possess the wisdom to use the penicillin missile produced by blue mold to eradicate disease-causing bacteria on this Earth. Through relentless research and innovation, humanity will continue to prevail in the war against bacteria, safeguarding human health and life.
Furthermore, prevention and education are crucial alongside antibiotic development. Public awareness campaigns and educational programs on proper antibiotic use are necessary, while continuous training for medical professionals must enhance the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions. Additionally, ecological research and biotechnological approaches to discover new antibiotic substances derived from nature are vital. Nature still holds many secrets, and the potential to find new treatments within them is significant. It is vital to conserve natural resources through environmental protection and sustainable development, thereby safeguarding human health.
In conclusion, the advancement of antibiotics and overcoming resistance are fields requiring continuous research, innovation, and global cooperation. Antibiotics are a crucial foundation of modern medicine, enabling humanity to overcome numerous diseases. These efforts must continue, paving the way for a healthier and safer world.
