Since penicillin and salvarsan were discovered, a number of new drugs to combat infectious diseases have been developed, but at the same time, the number of multi-resistant microorganism strains is increasing. Thus, the design of new and effective antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agents will be a major challenge in the next years. This book reviews the current state-of-the-art in antimicrobial research and discusses new strategies for the design and discovery of novel therapies. Topics covered include the use of genetic engineering, genome mining, manipulation of gene clusters, X-ray and neutron scattering as well as the antimicrobial effects of essential oils, antimicrobial agents of plant origin, beta-lactam antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides, and cell-wall-affecting antifungal antibiotics.

Emerging microbial and viral infections are a serious challenge to health, safety, and economics around the world. Antimicrobial and antiviral technologies are needed to disrupt the progression and replication of bacteria and viruses and to counter their rapidly evolving resistance. This book discusses recent developments in materials science and engineering in combating infectious diseases and explores advances in antimicrobial and antiviral materials, including polymers, metals, and ceramics and their applications in the fight against pathogens. Features • Covers progress in biomimetic antimicrobial and antiviral materials and antimicrobial/antiviral bulk materials and coatings • Describes modern methods for disinfection of biomedical materials against microbial and viral infection resistance, especially for depressing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) • Details methods to improve material properties to have a longer service life in combating infection • Emphasizes chemical, physical, mechanical, tribological, and antimicrobial/antiviral properties • Offers current and future applications of emerging antimicrobial/antiviral technologies This book will be of interest to materials researchers and industry professionals focusing on antimicrobial and antiviral applications.

The aim of this book is to explore the history, fundamentals, manufacturing processes, optimization parameters, and applications of electrospun materials. The book includes various types of electrospun materials such as antimicrobial, smart, bioinspired systems. It focuses on the many application areas for electrospun materials such as energy storage and harvesting, catalysis, biomedical including gene delivery and tissue engineering, separation, adsorption and water treatment technologies, packaging. The book emphasizes the enhanced sustainable properties of electrospun materials, with the challenges and future developments being discussed in detail. The chapters are written by top-class researchers and experts from throughout the world.

Antimicrobial textiles have attracted a great deal of interest in recent years due to their potential for reducing the transmission of infection in medical and healthcare environments. Antimicrobial properties can also improve the performance and lifespan of consumer products, and so these fabrics are increasingly finding applications in the wider textile and apparel industry. This book provides systematic coverage of the technologies and materials required for developing these important textiles. In Part One, chapters address key issues and technologies in the creation of antimicrobial textile products. Topics covered include testing and regulation, microencapsulation, sol-gel coating and plasma technologies, nanotechnology and life cycle assessment. Part Two then reviews key antimicrobial agents, such as N-halamines, plant based compounds and photo-active chemicals. Finally, the chapters of Part Three offer detailed reviews of antimicrobial textiles for particular important applications, including medical devices, protective clothing and products with improved durability and longevity. - Reviews key issues and technologies in the creation of antimicrobial textile products - Offered a detailed overview of by antimicrobial agents and a wide range of important applications - Produced by an experienced editor and a distinguished and international team of contributors

A comprehensive overview of different antimicrobial polymeric materials, their antimicrobial action modes and applications.

The term “immunobiotics” has been proposed to define microbial strains able to beneficially regulate the mucosal immune system. Research in immunobiotics has significantly evolved as researchers employed cutting-edge technologies to investigate the complex interactions of these beneficial microorganisms with the immune system. During the last decade, our understanding of immunobiotics-host interaction was profoundly transformed by the discovery of microbial molecules and host receptors involved in the modulation of gut associated immune system, as well as the systemic and distant mucosal immune systems. In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of reports describing the beneficial effects of immunobiotics in diseases such as intestinal and respiratory infections, allergy, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, immunosuppression, and several other immune-mediated conditions. Evidence is also emerging of immunobiotics related molecules with immunomodulatory functions leading to the production of pharmabiotics, which may positively influence human or animal health. Therefore, research in immunobiotics continue to contribute not only to food but also medical and pharmaceutical fields. The compilation of research articles included in this ebook should help reader to have an overview of the recent advances in immunobiotics.

Kucers’ The Use of Antibiotics is the definitive, internationally-authored reference, providing everything that the infectious diseases specialist and prescriber needs to know about antimicrobials in this vast and rapidly developing field. The much-expanded Seventh Edition comprises 4800 pages in 3 volumes in order to cover all new and existing therapies, and emerging drugs not yet fully licensed. Concentrating on the treatment of infectious diseases, the content is divided into four sections - antibiotics, anti-fungal drugs, anti-parasitic drugs, and anti-viral drugs - and is highly structured for ease of reference. Each chapter is organized in a consistent format, covering susceptibility, formulations and dosing (adult and pediatric), pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, toxicity, and drug distribution, with detailed discussion regarding clinical uses - a feature unique to this title. Compiled by an expanded team of internationally renowned and respected editors, with expert contributors representing Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, the US, and Canada, the Seventh Edition adopts a truly global approach. It remains invaluable for anyone using antimicrobial agents in their clinical practice and provides, in a systematic and concise manner, all the information required when prescribing an antimicrobial to treat infection.