Bacterial and viral pathogens

Bacterial and viral pathogens represent a broad, heterogeneous category of infectious organisms rather than a single molecular target or receptor. Bacteria are unicellular prokaryotes that can cause disease through direct tissue invasion or the secretion of endotoxins and exotoxins, while viruses are obligate intracellular parasites consisting of genetic material (DNA or RNA) encased in protein that require host cell machinery to replicate (StatPearls, 2023; Nature Education, 2014). In the context of drug discovery, therapeutic agents do not target the entire category but rather specific molecular components unique to these pathogens, such as bacterial peptidoglycan enzymes or viral polymerases. This term is considered 'incorrect' or too broad for a specific target profile because it encompasses thousands of distinct species with vastly different biological structures and mechanisms of pathogenesis. Effective treatment requires the use of specific anti-infectives—antibiotics for bacteria and antivirals or vaccines for viruses—tailored to the specific pathogen's biology.

Other names

Microbial pathogensInfectious agentsPathogenic bacteria and virusesInfectious microorganisms

Drugs targeting these pathogens act through diverse mechanisms including inhibition of cell wall synthesis, inhibition of protein synthesis (ribosomal targeting), interference with nucleic acid replication, and inhibition of viral entry or egress.