Chapter 12, Episode 53

This episode concludes antimicrobial therapy by exploring antibiotic resistance and treatments for non-bacterial pathogens. It explains how bacteria develop resistance through mutation and gene transfer, and why this is a growing public health concern highlighted in the CDC Threat Report. The episode then reviews key drug classes used to treat fungal, protozoan, helminthic, and viral infections, emphasizing their mechanisms of action, clinical uses, and limitations. The overall focus is on understanding how antimicrobial effectiveness depends on targeting the organism while minimizing harm to the host.