In the microworld that we cannot see, there is a huge and mysterious “secret garden of bacteria”. These tiny bodies of life, everywhere, are closely linked to our lives. Knowledge of antibacterials begins with knowledge of bacteria.
Bacteria are one of the oldest and most diverse biological groups on Earth. They vary in shape, with spherical, pole, spiral and so on. Despite their small size, usually a few micrometres, they are so large that they can be traced anywhere on Earth. Bacteria are present in alarming quantities on our skin surfaces, mouths, intestinal tracts and even soil, water, air.
Most bacteria play an indispensable role in the ecosystem. For example, some bacteria in the soil are able to decompose organic matter, convert plant and animal residues into nutrients, promote soil fertility and provide protection for plant growth. In the human intestinal tract, good fungus, such as compost, can help us digest food, synthesize vitamins, enhance immunity and maintain micro-ecological balance in the intestinal tract. They are interdependent with the human body and form a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship.
However, not all bacteria are friendly “partners”. Some bacteria are referred to as pathogenic bacteria, which pose a threat to human health. A variety of diseases, such as skin infections and pneumonia, can be caused by fungi, such as golden fungus; certain strains of coliform can lead to diarrhoea, urinary infections, etc.; and the tuberculosis branch bacterium is responsible for tuberculosis. These pathogens enter the human body by various means, such as air transport, food contamination, exposure transmission, etc., and can cause infectious diseases as soon as human immunity decreases or bacteria become too numerous.
Bacteria are very productive. Under appropriate conditions, they can reproduce quickly. A bacteria can breed millions of offspring in hours. Moreover, bacteria have a strong adaptive capacity to adapt to different environmental stresses, including resistance to antibiotics. This is also one of the major challenges facing antibacterial treatment today. Understanding these characteristics of bacteria is essential for us to carry out effective antibacterial measures. In daily life, maintaining good hygiene habits is the first line of defence against bacterial infections. For example, hand-washing can remove bacteria from hands and reduce the risk of hand-borne disease; regular clean-up of residential environments and maintenance of ventilation can reduce indoor bacterial concentrations. In the medical field, the rational use of antibiotics is key. Antibiotics were a powerful weapon against bacterial infections, but their abuse led to the emergence and spread of drug-resistant bacteria. Doctors are now more careful to select appropriate antibiotics based on pathogen strains, sensitive test results, etc., and to avoid unnecessary use.
In addition, the development of new antibacterial technologies and materials is advancing. As mentioned earlier, anti-bacterial substances such as nanosilver and anti-bacterium are capable of effectively eliminating bacteria against their structural and physiological properties without creating resistance. There are also a number of physical antibacterial methods, such as UV disinfection and high-temperature fungi, which are also widely applied in different settings.
The world of bacteria is like a mysterious garden, with beautiful “flowers” — good fungus — and thorny “strings” — bacteria. It is only with a deep understanding of the mystery of bacteria that we can, in a world where bacteria coexist, use scientific anti-bacterial means to protect our health, preserve ecological balance and make the secret garden of bacteria a useful complement to, and not a source of, our good lives.
