Microbiology and Clinical Research

Antimicrobial Agents & Resistance

Antimicrobial Agents are drugs, chemicals, or other substances that either kill or slow the growth of microbes. Various antimicrobial agents are antibacterial drugs, antiviral agents, antifungal agents, and antiparasitic drugs. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms change when they are exposed to antimicrobial drugs. Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are referred to as “superbugs” and the medicines become ineffective and infections persist in the body, increasing the risk of spread to others. New resistance mechanisms are emerging and spreading globally, threatening our ability to treat common infectious diseases which is resulting in prolonged illness, disability, and death.