• Novel antibacterial drug discovery

Several new techniques are being utilized and developed. Combinatorial chemistry is used to develop many new compounds of possible value. Genomic analysis of bacteria can be used to determine how resistance to an antibiotic has occurred and what possible drugs can be designed next. Also new methods of high-throughput screening are being used to accelerate the drug discovery process (A).
 
• Investigating antibiotic use and determining minimal-risk policies

Risk factors for the development of resistant strains continue to be identified (B). Policies are being developed concerning the prescription and dosage of antibodies (C), the control of hospital epidemics caused by resistant strains (D), and the use of antibiotics in animal feed (E). Early identification of resistant strains is key to public safety.
 
• Nutrition as a method of controlling bacterial infections

Nutritional factors, especially in children, can play a large role in the body?s reaction to bacterial infection. Many dietary components including vitamins, minerals, and proteins are being investigated for their role in the immune response. Probiotics and prebiotics are being studied as alternatives for management of antibiotic resistance (F).
 
• Compilation of information on bacterial resistance

WARN, the World Antibiotic Resistance Network, is working to compile information about antibiotic resistance and make it available to the public at their web site, http://www.warn.cas.cz. They continue to update information on particular pathogens, statistics on outbreaks across the world, and recommendations on handling the problem of antibiotic resistance (G).
 
• Economic implications of bacterial resistance

The cost of caring for a patient infected with bacteria of a certain level of resistance is being modeled. Cost analysis for this type of situation is very difficult and the topic needs further exploration (H).
 
• An overview of research documenting the risks of antibiotic use in animal feed can be viewed.

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B.  Rao GG.  Drugs.  1998.  55(3): 323-30.

C.  Cunha BA.  Crit Care Clin.  1998.  14(2): 309-27.

D.  Dennesen PJ, Bonten MJ, Weinstein RA.  Ann Med.  1998.  30(2): 176-85.

E.  Tollefson L, Altekruse SF, Potter ME.  Rev Sci Tech.  1997.  16(2): 705-15.

F.  Levy J.  Nutrition.  1998.  14(7-8): 641-7.

G.  Schindler J, Schindler Z, Schindler J Jr.  Med Inform (Lond).  1998.  23(3):179-85.

H.  Eandi M, Zara GP.  Int J Clin Pract Suppl.  1998.  95: 27-38.