| Description |
xii, 186 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm |
| Contents |
1. Magic bullets, miracle drugs -- 2. A brief look at the history of antibiotics -- 3. Bacteria reveal their adaptability, threatening the brief reign of antibiotics -- 4. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the news -- 5. Antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis -- 6. Antibiotics that inhibit the synthesis of bacterial proteins -- 7. Fluoroquinolones, sulfa drugs, and antituberculosis drugs -- 8. Bacterial promiscuity : how bacterial sex contributes to development of resistance -- 9. The looming crisis in antibiotic availability -- 10. Antiseptics and disinfectants -- 11. Antiviral, antifungal, and antiprotozoal compounds -- App. 1. Structures of antimicrobial agents mentioned in the text -- App. 2. How clinical laboratories measure resistance |
| Summary |
"Written by experts with extensive experience in the field, Revenge of the Microbes provides the scientific information readers will need to form opinions and make informed decisions regarding the use of antibiotics. The authors have carefully sifted through a vast amount of information to ensure comprehensive coverage of topics including the larger issues of economics, politics, health, safety, and the environment. Specific antibiotics and controversies are examined in a real-life context; accounts of positions on all sides of the public policy debate are presented; and less common issues, such as what happens to antibiotics once they are released into the environment, are addressed. The evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is put into perspective, and bacterial mutation and horizontal gene transfer are explained in simple terms. An in-depth documentation of antibiotic structures is provided in the appendix." "Reader-friendly and comprehensible, Revenge of the Microbes will engage a diverse audience, including biologists, doctors, teachers, students, lawyers, environmentalists, and everyday citizens. This new volume encourages readers to consider the extensive role of antibiotics in modern medicine and the potentially catastrophic impact the loss of effective antibiotics would have today and on future generations."--BOOK JACKET |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 176-178) and index |
| Subject |
Drug resistance in microorganisms -- Popular works.
|
|
Drug Resistance, Microbial.
|
| Genre/Form |
Popular Work.
|
| Author |
Whitt, Dixie D.
|
| LC no. |
2005002847 |
| ISBN |
1555812988 |
|
