@inbook{1e1565d21b8a4e0ebd1ca7f0f645b1f2,
title = "History, Chemistry and Antibacterial Spectrum",
abstract = "Polymyxins are naturally occurring cyclic lipopeptides that were discovered more than 60{\^A} years ago. They have a narrow antibacterial spectrum, which is mainly against Gram-negative pathogens. The dry antibiotic pipeline, together with the increasing incidence of bacterial resistance in the clinic, has been dubbed {\^a}€˜the perfect storm{\^a}€{\texttrademark}. This has forced a re-evaluation of {\^a}€˜old{\^a}€{\texttrademark} antibiotics, in particular the polymyxins, which retain activity against many multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative organisms. As a consequence, polymyxin B and colistin (polymyxin E) are now used as the last therapeutic option for infections caused by {\^a}€˜superbugs{\^a}€{\texttrademark} such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. This chapter covers the history, chemistry and antibacterial spectrum of these very important last-line lipopeptide antibiotics.",
keywords = "Aerosporin, Antibacterial spectrum, Chemical structure, Discovery of polymyxins, Methanesulphonate",
author = "Tony Velkov and Thompson, {Philip E.} and Azad, {Mohammad A.K.} and Roberts, {Kade D.} and Bergen, {Phillip J.}",
year = "2019",
doi = "10.1007/978-3-030-16373-0_3",
language = "English",
isbn = "9783030163716",
series = "Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology",
publisher = "Springer",
pages = "15--36",
editor = "Jian Li and Nation, {Roger L.} and Kaye, {Keith S.}",
booktitle = "Polymyxin Antibiotics",
edition = "1st",
}