The renewed challenge of antibacterial chemotherapy†

We are currently witnessing a dramatic and alarming increase in the incidence of bacterial infections resistant to most common antibiotics. In this article, we examine briefly the background to this situation, and the mechanisms both of antibacterial action and bacterial resistance. Following this introduction is a discussion of the evolution of the various antibacterial classes and of the current approaches being adopted to keep at bay the threat of a return to a pre-antibiotic era.