The discovery of penicillin
Before the discovery of an antibiotic that could fight and help reduce pneumonia, it had claimed the lives of many people. Through the innovation of the drug, the antibiotic era was initiated. Antibiotics are chemical compounds capable of conquering both bacteria and fungi which are known to kill, or inhibit, competing microbial organisms. In the ancient times, Egyptian medicine- men used to place mouldy bread on a wound to prevent further bacterial infection. However, in the year 1928 the first true antibiotic was discovered by Alexander Fleming (Chain, 1979). The Scottish scientist was at the time working on influenza virus in the St Mary’s laboratory. The discussion below will contain the origin, the use, and where Penicillin can be found.
The discovery of penicillin was deemed to be an accidental process as Fleming had left for vacation leaving Petri dishes containing Staphylococcus. This bacterium is responsible for boils, sore throats, and abscesses. Fleming noticed that one of the dishes that had mould on it inhibited the multiplication of the bacteria and this was how Penicillin was discovered. After this accidental discovery, the scientist decided to carry out more tests on various kinds of bacteria such as Streptococcus, Meningococcus, and the diphtheria bacillus. He found out that penicillin was able to kill them all.
Penicillin comes from the mould Penicillium and can be divided into two categories; the naturally occurring penicillin (through the process of fermentation) and the semi synthesised penicillin which is found in chemical form. Since the antibiotic can be changed into various forms, it is used to treat various forms of bacteria and fungi infections. Penicillin G is the only natural occurring form of penicillin that is used clinically (Chain, 1979). All penicillin work in the same way, inhibiting cell enzymes responsible for cell wall formation hence it can only be used against micro-organisms that produce a cell wall.
The discovery of the antibiotic changed the world of medicine greatly; wound infections that were severe or even fatal were treated by administering the drug to the patient orally. As an antibiotic, the drug is used for a wide range of therapy. It is used in the treatment of sore throats; it is used in the synthesis of BCG a vaccine against Tuberculosis, meningitis, syphilis and other bacterial and fungal infections (Chain, 1979). It has helped people for the better part of the twentieth century, during the Second World War it was used to help soldiers that suffered war wounds and reduced death cases due to wound infections. Today in the War on Iraq, the drug is still being used to help injured victims form fatal wound infections. Due to its ability to kill a wide variety of bacteria, more drugs such as Streptomycin, Amino glycosides, and Tetracycline have been developed which has lead to the growth of Pharmacies. For many medical practitioners the discovery of penicillin was a great and huge discovery which has helped the world and saved it from dangerous diseases. However, the drug has various anaphylactic side effects on people when used, may cause skin rush, and allergic shock to patients (Chain, 1979).
With diseases such as pneumonia, syphilis, and meningitis, the world would have been a difficult place to stay but through this great discovery many people have a chance of gaining health. Through its wide spread use over the years penicillin has saved many lives making it the best scientific discovery made in the history of mankind.
References
Chain, E. (1979). Fleming’s Contribution To The Discovery Of Penicillin. Trends in Biochemical Sciences, 4(6), 143-144.
Chain, E. (1979). The Early Years Of The Penicillin Discovery☆. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 1(1), 6-11.
