Preface

Infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites have caused death and suffering to humans and other life forms since their existence. Discoveries of antibiotics in 1928 and the development of vaccines were two important landmarks in our fight against harm caused by these unseen enemies. However, various infection-causing agents soon developed resistance against almost all available antibiotics, making the treatment an ever-growing challenge. Similarly, many fast mutating viruses have rendered many vaccines ineffective. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an extensional threat to the human race, and it is a stark reminder of our vulnerabilities against infections. To meet these re-emerging challenges, it is imperative to constantly understand the molecular basis of infections and drug resistance, identify new drug targets and develop new chemotherapeutic agents. Unfortunately, till recently, pharmaceutical research for anti-infective agents has been given a low priority due to “economic feasibility” considerations. Only in the last decade, the topic has received global attention and vigorous research pursued in academic and pharmaceutical laboratories.

The book series “Frontiers in Anti-infective Drug Discovery” has been publishing review articles on key aspects of this field. Volume 9 is not different from the previous well-received volumes. It contains 5 carefully selected reviews on various key stages of drug development and approaches against infections caused by bacteria and parasites. The Review by Samatani et al is focused on a critically important aspect of drug development i.e. optimal choice of dose regimen. They explain the use of in vitro data against pathogens, animal PK/PD, clinical pharmacokinetics, and Monte Carlo simulations in this process. The chapter by Fadauloglou et al is focused on the role of post-translational modifications (PTMs) of microbial and host proteins during a successful bacterial and viral invasion in host cells. As a result, PTMs have recently emerged as novel and promising targets for the discovery of new anti-infective therapies.

Jean Michael Brunel has contributed an article on the potential of hydrazine-based agents as novel drug candidates against resistant bacteria and fungi, as well as their structure-activity relationships. The development of drugs against the second most important neglected parasitic disease, leishmaniasis, is the focus of the chapter by Roy and Mazire. They have reviewed the literature on various new therapeutic options and their current stages of development against this debilitating poor man's disease. Dengue viral hemorrhagic fever is also an important health challenge for the developing world. Leowattana et al. have commented on various re-purposed drugs currently in various stages of development against dengue virus infection and its various forms.

The 9th volume of this important book series comprises scholarly contributions from several leading experts to whom we are indebted. “Team Bentham” also deserves our appreciation for a job very well done. Among them, Ms. Asma Ahmed (Senior Manager Publications), and Mr. Mahmood Alam (Editorial Director) of Bentham Science Publishers have played a key role in the timely completion of the volume in hand. We sincerely hope that the efforts of authors and the production team will help readers to better understand and appreciate the importance of vigorous research and development activities currently underway against infections that cause tremendous suffering to humanity.