title: Introduction to antibiotic resistance.
abstract: The inexorable rise in multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria has been widely reported. Multiple modes of resistance often present in a single strain of bacteria, and this may also be combined with an increase in virulence, both of which are leading to a significant increase in morbidity and mortality in patients. Against this background, the absolute number of new antibiotics licensed has declined especially for Gram-negative multidrug-resistant pathogens. The reasons for this failure are presented here: market issues, big pharma changes, regulatory constraints, difficulties in finding drugable targets and, lastly, suitable compounds worthy of full development.
authors.affiliation: TranScrip Partners LLP, Reading, RG6 1PT, UK. richard.bax@transcrip-partners.com
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bax
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects