A Microbial Miracle: The History of Antibiotics
Written by Azzy Xiang
Ever heard of the Black Death?
Before the discovery of antibiotics, infectious diseases like the plague were a leading cause of death. A single cut could turn fatal, leaving people vulnerable to devastating diseases like pneumonia, tuberculosis, sepsis, bubonic plague, and many other horrors. The advent of antibiotics in the early 20th century revolutionized medicine and transformed the way we combat bacterial infections. In other words, it came in to save the day!
Did you know that life-saving antibiotics were actually discovered by accident? Who knew that a slip-up or extra observation could have such a huge impact!
The story begins with Alexander Fleming, who accidentally observed the antibacterial properties of penicillin, a mold that stopped the growth of bacteria. This discovery turned out to pave the groundbreaking way for the development of the first clinically used antibiotic.
After that mishap turned to a miracle, in the following decades scientists continued to explore the microbial world, uncovering a vast array of antibiotic compounds. Discovered in 1944, streptomycin became the first effective treatment for tuberculosis, while tetracycline, introduced in 1948, proved valuable against a wide range of infections.
Antibiotics have saved millions of lives and significantly improved global health. What’s not to like?
Unfortunately, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Slapping antibacterial compounds on every single hand sanitizer and hygiene product has led to certain bacteria developing a resistance to them and ironically being more difficult to destroy. This is a growing threat that necessitates careful stewardship and use of antibiotics and antibacterial compounds while still keeping clean and staying healthy.
As we continue to fight against antibiotic resistance and other growing threats, we must remember the remarkable history of antibiotics that brought them here in the first place. The discovery of these microbial miracles offers a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and how important it is to be curious about what you see and discover!
Written by Azzy Xiang from MEDILOQUY