Regular antibiotics are not effective in treating viral diseases

Dr. Balvinder Arora

Bacteria, a virus particle, a prion (protein infectious particle with biological activity without DNA or RNA), a fungal element, a parasite and a host mammalian cell – each possess unique cell structure, different metabolic pathways, differences in cell membranes and cell walls, unique modes of reproduction, DNA replication and distinct sites of protein synthesis and, above all, a particular and a peculiar relationship with the rest of the living beings in a given ecosystem.

Bacteria live independently and have distinct modes of growth, multiplication and reproduction which are distinct from the host mammalian cells e.g. bacteria reproduce by a type of cell division called binary fission with genes present on a single bacterial chromosome, a circular DNA molecule with associated proteins, whereas in the eukaryotic cells, the process of meiosis and mitosis are the exclusive means of producing the gametes (sperms and ova) and the somatic cells respectively and viruses, the moochers are obligate intracellular parasites means they can only reproduce within a host cell. An isolated virus is unable to replicate itself or do anything else except, for that matter, infect an appropriate host cell which will support its survival and multiplication along with the host cell, for example, through the agency of bacteriophages. Deduction is clear - each one of theses life forms is unique and so is their susceptibility to the agents that tend to wipe them out. For example, bacteria are susceptible to antibacterial substance that target selective structures, nucleic acids, cell proteins, enzymes some of which are, in striking contrast, distinctly absent in viruses.

Antibiotics in their action are selective only on the bacterial cells and do not effect the host cells whereas viruses being integrated with the host cell are not (can not) be selective targets without affecting the host cell . Even if viruses are targeted selectively these will affect the host cell, not invariably, producing severe toxicity, indeed, because of the virus particle, a moocher’s obligate association with the host cell. Antibiotics, commonly, are targeted at (a) cell wall synthesis sites - cycloserine, bacitracin, and beta lactams glycopeptides, (b) folic acid metabolism sites - trimethoprim, sulfonamides, (c) cell membrane – polymixins, (d) DNA replication - quinolones, nitroimidazioles, (e) DNA dependant RNA polymerase – rifamycins, and (f) protein synthesis - amino glycosides macrlides, lincosamides, streptogramins, amphenicols, tetracyclines and rupirocin etc. Whereas in striking contrast, site of antiviral drugs (other than HIV inhibitors) include at the level of (A) adsorption – none, (B) fusion and penetration – none, (C) uncoating - amantadine, rimantadine, (D) transcriptions – interferon, (E) translations – fomovirsen, (F) RNA or DNA replication - nucleosides – acyclovir, adenine arabinoside, cidofovir ,acyclovir, foscarnet, ganciclovir, penciclovir, idoxuridine, ribavirin, sorivudine, triflurothymidine, (G) assembly – none, and (H) release and budding - zanamivir, oseltamvir.

Therefore, clearly because of the unique mechanisms of origin, structure, means of survival (leading to origin of species), reproduction, multiplication and propagation of these interesting but unique forms of life(s) – make them differ in their susceptibility to the agents that tend to eliminate them. So regular antibiotics can not be used in effective treatment for viral diseases.

Dr Balvinder Arora, (M.D.) Professor – Clinical Microbiology is currently pursuing CRA with KRC. Inc., Toronto,Ontario, Canada. Dr. Balvinder is well known for his exceptional abilities and an outstanding teacher with a strong commitment to improving undergraduate and post graduate education. Dr. Arora is voracious reader and an outstanding prolific writer in many areas of Medicine, Microbiology and Clinical trials. He has done extensive work in the field of infectious diseases and during his more than 10 years of research and teaching in general biology, microbiology and medicine – most frequently as a sole lecturer – Dr. Balvinder has instructed over 5000 students. His teaching skills and style have been honed in both large lecture and small class room environments and with diverse groups of students. Dr. Balvinder is not only a very good academician but also very social and enterprising personality with a great sense of humor. His role in the improvement of medical education remains as his most significant contribution to the development of society at large.
Email: dr_arorabalvinder007@yahoo.com

Dr. Sandeep Bagga is a Certified Bioinformatics Specialist, Cert. in SAS Programming and associated with Pharmaceutical Research and Clinical Trials, PRACT Advisory Service, Sterling, Virginia (USA). Email: sbagga@practadvisors.com