Antibacterials: Cell Wall Synthesis Inhibitors Flashcards
Inhibitors of cell wall synthesis - categories
Beta-lactam antibiotics: penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams
Vancomycin
Daptomycin
Bacitracin
Fosfomycin
Inhibitors of cell wall synthesis are inactive against what organisms
Organisms without peptidoglycan cells wall: mycoplasma, protozoa, fungi, viruses
Resistance to b-lactams
Beta-lactamases are bacterial enzymes (penicillinases, cephalosporinases) that hydrolyse b-lactam ring
Bacteria with this enzyme can resist effects of penicillins (eg: staph aureus, b-lactamases also found in periplasm of Gm- bacteria)
Beta-lactamase inhibitors
Clavulanic Acid
Sulbactam
Tazobactam
Clavulanic acid, sulbactam, tazobactam MOA and use
b-lacatamase inhibitors –> protect b-lactam antibiotics from inactivation
Contain b-lactame ring but do not have significant antibacterial activity –> bind to and inactivate most b-lactamases
Are available only in fixed combinations with specific penicillins (eg: augmentin = amoxicillin + clavulanic acid)
Beta-lactam antibiotics MOA
Require actively proliferating bacteria (cell wall synthesis must be occurring)
Target: Beta-lactams bind to penicillin-binding proteins (PBP) –> BPB are bacterial enzymes (transpeptidases) involved in cell wall synthesis)
Inhibit last step in peptidoglycan synthesis (cross-linking of peptidoglycan in cell wall) through binding to PBPs –> activated autolytic enzymes to initiate cell death —> bacteria eventually lyse due to activity of autolysis and inhibition of cell wall assembly
Are bactericidal
Penicillin antibacterial spectrum
Ability to reach PBPs determined by: size, charge and hydrophobicity
Gram positive bacteria have cell wall easily crossed by penicillins
Gram negative bacteria have porins (channels) to permit transmembrane entry
Penicillin + aminoglycoside therapy MOA and use
Penicillins facilitate movement of aminoglycosides through the cell wall so that they can reach their target, ribosomes, to inhibit protein synthesis
Should never be placed in the same infusion fluid as they form an inactive complex but can be given at the same time
Effective empiric treatment for infective endocarditis
Mechanisms of resistance to penicillins (4)
- Inactivation by b-lactamases***
- Modification of target PBPs (eg: MRSA does this)
- Impaired penetration of drug to target PBPs (eg: modification of porins by Gm - bacteria)
- Increased efflux
Natural penicillins: antibacterial spectrum and route of administration
Penicillin G
Active against - most Gm+ cocci, Gm+ rods, Gm- cocci and most anaerobes
Cannot be given orally
Penicillin V
Same as penicillin G but less active against Gm - bacteria
More acid stable than G (can be given orally)
Penicillin G clinical applications
Mostly used for Gm + bacteria:
Syphilis: use benzathine penicillin G
Strep infections
Susceptible pneumococci –> most are resistant but few are sensitive rarely used
Repository Penicillins (route of administration, PK, clinical applications)
Developed to prolong duration of penicillin
Penicillin G procaine:
- Given IM (not IV due to risk of procaine toxicity)
- t1/2 = 12-24 hours
- rarely used due to increased resistance
Penicillin G benzathine
- Given IM
- t1/2: 3-4 weeks
- Treatment of syphilis
- Rheumatic fever prophylaxis
Penicillin V clinical applications
Given orally for mild-moderate infections:
- Pharyngitis
- Tonsilitis
- Skin infections (caused by Strep)
Anti-staphylococcal Penicillins
Methicillin
Nafcillin
Oxacillin
Dicloxacillin
Methicillin, nafcillin, oxacillin and dicloxacillin MOA and clinical applications
Anti-staphylococcal penicillins –> bind to PBPs –> inhibit cross-linking of peptidoglycan cell wall –> activate autolytic enzymes –> bactericidal
Very narrow antibacterial spectrum
b-lactamase resistant (only penicillins that are resistant) –> only used to treat b-lactamase producing staphylococci
Inactive against MRSA
Extended-spectrum penicillins
Ampicillin
Amoxicillin
Ampicillin and amoxicillin antibacterial spectrum
Extended-spectrum penicillins –> similar to penicillin G (active against most Gm+ cocci, Gm+ rods, Gm- cocci and most anaerobes) + additional Gm - activity
Susceptible to b-lactamases –> activity is enhanced with b-lactamase inhibitors
Extended-spectrum penicillins PK + main AE
Amoxicillin has higher oral bioavailability that other penicillins: given orally
Ampicillin - given IM
AE:
Pseudomembranous colitis - ampicillin
Maculopapular rash - caused by both
Amoxicillin clinical applications
Treatment of many infections
- acute otitis media
- streptococcal pharyngitis
- pneumonia
- skin infections
- UTIs
- widely used to treat upper respiratory infections
** Common antibiotic prescribed in children and in pregnancy
Can be used for prophylaxis of susceptibly infections
Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid: preferred prophylactic treatment for dog, cat and human bites
Ampicillin clinical applications
Treatment of many infections
- acute otitis media
- streptococcal pharyngitis
- pneumonia
- skin infections
- UTIs
Ampicillin + sulbactam: preferred prophylactic treatment for dog, cat and human bites
Antipseudomonal penicillins
Carbenicillin
Ticarcillin
Pipercillin
“CTP - can touch pseudomonas”
Carbenicillin, ticarcillin, pipercillin antibacterial spectrum and clinical applications
Antipseudomonal penicillins: effective against many Gm- and Gm+ bacilli +active against P.aeruginosa (broad spectrum)
Commonly used to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Main clinical use: as an injectable treatment of gram negatives
Treatment of moderate-severe infections of susceptible organisms: uncomplicated and complicated skin, gynecologic and intra-abdominal infections, febrile neutropenia
Penicillins PK: absorption
Very short half-lives: 30-60 minutes (except repository penicillins)
Oral absorption impaired by food (except amoxicillin which has high oral bioavailability).
Nafcillin = erratic, not given orally
Penicillins ineffective against infections located in which body part
Low levels of distribution in prostate and eye –> insufficient to treat infections in these areas
Poor CSF penetration (except in meningitis)
Penicillins PK: distribution
- All achieve therapeutic levels in pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, synovial fluids and urine
- Nafcillin, ampicillin and piperacillin –> high levels in bile
- Low levels in prostate and eye***
- Poor CSF penetration (except in meningitis)
Penicillins PK: excretion
Mainly by kidneys (need to be careful to adjust dose in patients with renal failure)
Nafcillin –> mainly in bile (can give to someone with renal failure)
Oxacillin and dicloxacillin = renal + biliary excretion