Antibiotics: from prehistory to the present day

J Antimicrob Chemother. 2016 Mar;71(3):572-5. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkv484.

Abstract

Antimicrobials have been in use for many thousands of years in a variety of formats. In this article, I trace how we have moved from ingenious use of agents available in the environment to chemically engineered agents.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / history*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • History, 15th Century
  • History, 16th Century
  • History, 17th Century
  • History, 18th Century
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • History, Ancient
  • History, Medieval
  • Humans

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents