ABSTRACT
Fungi and bacteria both require a structure external to their cell membrane to maintain the integrity of the organism - preventing a high internal osmotic pressure from rupturing the cell in a hypotonic external environment. Drugs that interfere with the biosynthesis of the cell wall might therefore be expected to be of value in combating infection by these organisms, particularly since mammalian cells do not require such a structure. The plactams (penicillins and cephalosporins) and vancomycin fall into this category. PLactams, indeed, have been on the market for many decades; the frost observation that led to the identification of the precursor penicillin was made in 1929, although it took nearly 20 years for the drug to reach the market. In addition, cilofungin is known to interfere with the biosynthesis of &lucan in the fungal cell wall and is effective in the treatment of human mycoses.
