Treating Infectious Diseases in a Microbial World: Report of Two Workshops on Novel Antimicrobial Therapeutics, March, 2006

Humans coexist with millions of harmless microorganisms, but emerging diseases, resistance to antibiotics, and the threat of bioterrorism are forcing scientists to look for new ways to confront the microbes that do pose a danger. This report identifies innovative approaches to the development of antimicrobial drugs and vaccines based on a greater understanding of how the human immune system interacts with both good and bad microbes. The report concludes that the development of a single superdrug to fight all infectious agents is unrealistic. Acknowledgments......Page 8 Contents......Page 10 Summary......Page 12 Challenges for the Development of New Antimicrobials— Rethinking the Approaches: Report of a Workshop......Page 18 Promising Approaches to the Development of Immunomodulation for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases: Report of a Workshop......Page 48 Appendix A Statement of Task......Page 74 Appendix B New Classes of Antimicrobials Committee Biographical Sketches......Page 76 Appendix C New Classes of Antimicrobials Workshop......Page 80 Appendix D Immunomodulation Committee Biographical Sketches......Page 90 Appendix E Immunomodulation Workshop......Page 96 Identifies different approaches to the development of antimicrobial drugs and vaccines based on a greater understanding of how the human immune system interacts with both good and bad microbes. This report concludes that the development of a single superdrug to fight all infectious agents is unrealistic.