Antimicrobial agents are drugs and natural or synthetic substances that kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, encompassing antibacterials (antibiotics), antifungals, antivirals, and antiparasitic agents. They act selectively on microbial targets absent or divergent in host cells, with principal mechanisms in…
Antimicrobial agents are drugs and natural or synthetic substances that kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, encompassing antibacterials (antibiotics), antifungals, antivirals, and antiparasitic agents. They act selectively on microbial targets absent or divergent in host cells, with principal mechanisms including inhibition of cell-wall synthesis, disruption of cell membranes, blockade of protein synthesis at the ribosome, interference with nucleic-acid replication and transcription, and antagonism of folate and other metabolic pathways. Agents are characterized by their spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetics, and whether they are bactericidal or bacteriostatic. A central contemporary challenge is antimicrobial resistance (AMR), in which microorganisms evade these agents through enzymatic inactivation, target modification, efflux, and reduced permeability; resistance is amplified by selective pressure, including pressures linked to malaria and other infections, and by inappropriate use. Antimicrobial stewardship, informed by knowledge, attitudes, and practices and by situational resistance analyses, aims to optimize use, restrict unnecessary exposure in settings such as neonatal units, and curb surgical site and other infections. Natural-product and phytochemical antimicrobials, including essential oils and plant extracts with antibacterial and antifungal activity, represent an active area of investigation. The journal publishes peer-reviewed research on AMR, stewardship, plant-derived antimicrobials, antifungal agents, and the molecular epidemiology of resistant pathogens.
12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 12 articles above have been cited 23 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Antimicrobial Agents, linking to each citing work.