An antibiotic is an antimicrobial substance which is used in the
treatment and prevention of bacterial infections. It can either inhibit
the growth of bacteria or kill them. It may be prescribed as a
preventive measure to at-risk populations. These may include those with
a weakened immune system or taking immunosuppressive drugs, or those
undergoing surgery or affected by cancer. It is also used in surgical
procedures for preventing infections of incisions, and in dental
antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing bacteremia and subsequent
infective endocarditis. Antibiotics can be classified as bactericidal
and bacteriostatic. Bactericidals kill bacteria directly whereas
bacteriostatics prevent bacteria from dividing. Antibiotics are also
classified on the basis of target bacteria. They can be produced through
synthetic and semi-synthetic methods. Evidence suggests that bacteria
are increasingly developing resistance to antibiotics, which makes
research, development and production of new antibiotics pertinent. This
book brings forth some of the most innovative concepts and elucidates
the unexplored aspects of antibiotics. It presents researches and
studies performed by experts across the globe on the characterization
and production of antibiotics. With state-of-the-art inputs by acclaimed
experts of this field, this book targets students and professionals.
