Sulfa antibacterials and arylpyrimidine antifolates

Abstract

The discovery and development of the sulfonamide antibacterial agents in many ways ushered in the modern era of antibacterial chemotherapy. The preceding decades were rich in advances in chemical technology (i.e. synthesis) and in the understanding of many disease processes. At the turn of the century, infectious disease research was evolving from a passive study based primarily upon the power of observation, to a science in which bacterial species could be identified, cultured and examined. The fundamental processes of pathogenesis were recognized and could even be anticipated in some instances. However, prior to the pioneering work of Paul Ehrlich, scientists were essentially incapable of conceiving and designing biologically active substances. Most often chance prevailed and significant advances were slow to come.