Pathogenic bacteria and yeast

Pathogenic bacteria and yeast refers to a broad group of microorganisms, including prokaryotic bacteria and eukaryotic fungi, that are capable of causing infectious diseases in humans (NIH, 2022). This classification is not a single molecular target but rather a collection of biological entities that contain numerous specific therapeutic targets, such as the bacterial cell wall, ribosomes, and fungal ergosterol (StatPearls, 2023). Drugs interacting with these pathogens, known as antibiotics and antifungals, are designed to exploit biochemical differences between the microbe and the host to achieve selective toxicity (CDC, 2022). For instance, beta-lactam antibiotics target peptidoglycan synthesis in bacteria, while azole antifungals inhibit the synthesis of ergosterol in yeast membranes (StatPearls, 2023). The clinical management of these pathogens is increasingly complicated by the global rise of antimicrobial resistance, which renders standard treatments ineffective (WHO, 2021). Furthermore, the use of broad-spectrum agents can lead to the disruption of the host's commensal microbiome, resulting in secondary complications like Clostridioides difficile infection (CDC, 2022).

Other names

Infectious microorganismsMicrobial pathogensBacterial and fungal pathogens

Antimicrobial agents targeting these organisms function by inhibiting cell wall synthesis, disrupting cell membrane integrity, or interfering with essential intracellular processes such as protein synthesis and DNA replication (StatPearls, 2023).