Mechanisms of action by antimicrobial agents: A review

Abstract

Microorganisms and associated conditions make up some of the world’s leading causes of death and have the potential to cause a significant societal effect during pandemic states. Despite such significance in the healthcare field, attention and funding directed towards microbiological research lags its cohorts in cancer and cardiovascular disease. In the current SAR-CoV-2 pandemic, the importance of practicing clinicians and providers to remain knowledgeable on antimicrobial therapy for their patients is higher than ever before. The scope of this review is to provide clinicians a semi-comprehensive, up-to-date understanding of the mechanisms of action among antimicrobial agents as well as key distinctions in clinical manifestations of pathogens.