Antibiotic cases Flashcards
What is the origin of antibiotics and how are they defined in this context?
Antibiotics are derived from living organisms (e.g., penicillin) and in this context, they will be used to mean antibacterial drugs, including chemotherapeutic agents that were synthesized.
What is the emphasis of the lecture regarding antibiotics?
The emphasis is on drugs for community-acquired infections.
Are drugs for nosocomial infections included in the lecture?
Yes, drugs for nosocomial infections are included for completeness, denoted by an H in a red circle.
Which antibiotics exhibit concentration-dependent killing?
Antibiotics like aminoglycosides and quinolones exhibit concentration-dependent killing.
What determines the effectiveness of concentration-dependent antibiotics?
The effectiveness is directly related to the concentration achieved in the blood or at the site of infection.
What does the Area Under the Curve (AUC)/Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ratio indicate?
The AUC/MIC ratio correlates with the efficacy of the antibiotic, with a higher ratio generally indicating better bacterial eradication.
What is the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)?
MIC is the lowest concentration of the antibiotic that inhibits visible growth of the bacterium.
Why is it important to achieve concentrations well above the MIC for concentration-dependent antibiotics?
Achieving concentrations well above the MIC is crucial for effective treatment and bacterial killing.
What are the risks of underdosing concentration-dependent antibiotics?
Underdosing can lead to subtherapeutic levels, potentially resulting in treatment failure and the development of resistance.
Which antibiotics exhibit time-dependent killing?
Antibiotics like beta-lactams exhibit time-dependent killing.
What determines the effectiveness of time-dependent antibiotics?
The effectiveness is related to the duration of time that the drug concentration remains above the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC).
For beta-lactams, what percentage of the dosing interval should drug concentrations remain above the MIC to correlate with clinical cure?
Maintaining drug concentrations above the MIC for 40-60% of the dosing interval correlates with clinical cure.
In certain infections like meningitis, what is the optimal duration for drug levels to be above the MIC?
Optimal bacterial killing occurs when drug levels are above the MIC for 95-100% of the dosing interval in infections like meningitis.
Why is it important for patients to adhere to the prescribed dosing schedule for time-dependent antibiotics?
Adherence ensures that drug concentrations remain above the MIC, reducing the risk of subtherapeutic levels, treatment failure, and resistance.
What are the risks associated with skipping doses of time-dependent antibiotics?
Skipping doses can result in subtherapeutic levels, reducing the effectiveness of the antibiotic and increasing the risk of resistance.
B lactam antibiotics
- Penicillin
- Clavulanic (B lactamase inhibitor)
- Cephalosporin
- Carbapenem (H)
What is the primary target of beta-lactam antibiotics?
Beta-lactams target the synthesis of peptidoglycan, an essential component of the bacterial cell wall.
What role does peptidoglycan play in bacterial cells?
Peptidoglycan provides structural integrity and strength to the bacterial cell wall, helping to maintain its shape and prevent lysis.
How do beta-lactams exert their effect on bacteria?
Beta-lactams bind to and inhibit penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), which are enzymes involved in the final stages of peptidoglycan synthesis.
What is the function of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs)?
PBPs catalyze the cross-linking of peptidoglycan chains, a critical step in forming a strong, rigid cell wall.
What reaction is inhibited by beta-lactams, leading to a weakened cell wall?
Beta-lactams inhibit the transpeptidation reaction, which forms cross-links between peptidoglycan chains.
How does the inhibition of cell wall synthesis by beta-lactams lead to bacterial cell death?
The inhibition of cell wall synthesis activates autolytic enzymes within the bacterium, further degrading the cell wall and leading to bacterial cell lysis and death.
Are beta-lactams bactericidal or bacteriostatic?
Beta-lactams are typically bactericidal, meaning they kill bacteria rather than merely inhibiting their growth.
What determines the efficacy of beta-lactams?
The efficacy of beta-lactams depends on the duration of time that the drug concentration remains above the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) during the dosing interval.
Do all beta-lactams have the same spectrum of activity?
No, different beta-lactams have varying spectra of activity, with some being effective against Gram-positive bacteria, others against Gram-negative bacteria, and some having broad-spectrum activity.
Where do beta-lactam antibiotics exert their action?
Beta-lactam antibiotics act on the bacterial cell wall.
What type of bactericidal action do beta-lactams have?
Beta-lactams have a time-dependent bactericidal action.
What is notable about the therapeutic index of beta-lactams?
Beta-lactams have a wide therapeutic index, but they can cause CNS toxicity at maximal doses
What is the main adverse effect of beta-lactam antibiotics?
The main adverse effect of beta-lactam antibiotics is hypersensitivity.
How are most beta-lactam antibiotics eliminated?
Most beta-lactam antibiotics are eliminated by renal tubular secretion.
What is the most common resistance mechanism against beta-lactam antibiotics?
The most common resistance mechanism is mediated by beta-lactamases.
Can beta-lactamase resistance be overcome by using higher doses of beta-lactams?
No, beta-lactamase resistance cannot be overcome by using higher doses.
What types of bacteria commonly produce beta-lactamases in the community?
In the community, most aerobic Gram negatives, anaerobes, and staphylococci produce beta-lactamases.
Where are extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) typically found, and what is their impact?
ESBLs are typically found in aerobic Gram negatives in hospitals, leading to high-level resistance to all penicillins and cephalosporins.
What is the second resistance mechanism to beta-lactam antibiotics, and how can it be overcome?
The second resistance mechanism involves mutations in penicillin-binding proteins (e.g., S. pneumoniae), usually causing low-level resistance that can be overcome by using higher doses.
Against which types of bacteria is penicillin active?
Penicillin is active against Gram positives and spirochaetes.
For which infections is penicillin the drug of choice?
Penicillin is the drug of choice for:
- Streptococci (with few S. pneumoniae being highly resistant)
- Syphilis and other spirochaetes
- Enterococci
- Listeria
- Actinomyces
Is penicillin susceptible to beta-lactamase?
Yes, penicillin is susceptible to beta-lactamase.
What are the different forms of penicillin administration and their uses?
Penicillin G: Intravenous injection (IVI)
Penicillin V: Oral (poorly absorbed, concentrations inadequate for S. pneumoniae)
Benzathine Penicillin: Long-acting injectable (intramuscular injection, IMI) that lasts for 21 days
What are the two types of aminopenicillins and their modes of administration?
Ampicillin: Intravenous (IV) only
Amoxicillin: Oral (well absorbed)
How do aminopenicillins compare with penicillin in terms of bacterial coverage?
Aminopenicillins cover the same bacteria as penicillin plus Haemophilus (except for the +15% that have beta-lactamase).
Why are aminopenicillins recommended for respiratory infections?
Aminopenicillins have excellent activity against S. pneumoniae, making them recommended for respiratory infections.
Which penicillins resist beta-lactamase from Staphylococci?
Cloxacillin and flucloxacillin
Which penicillin has better oral absorption?
Flucloxacillin is better absorbed orally than cloxacillin.
What type of bacteria are cloxacillin and flucloxacillin effective against?
Both are only effective against Gram-positive bacteria.
What are cloxacillin and flucloxacillin widely used for?
They are widely used for skin and soft tissue infections.
What are B-lactamase inhibitors?
B-lactamase inhibitors are compounds that bind irreversibly to B-lactamases, enzymes produced by bacteria that confer resistance to B-lactam antibiotics.
What are irreversible inhibitors of β-lactamases?
Substances that bind permanently to β-lactamases, preventing the enzyme from breaking down β-lactam antibiotics.
How do irreversible inhibitors of β-lactamases work?
They bind to the active site of β-lactamase, inhibiting its action and thus protecting the β-lactam antibiotic from degradation.
What is the benefit of combining β-lactam antibiotics with β-lactamase inhibitors?
This combination can reverse bacterial resistance, making the antibiotics effective against bacteria that produce β-lactamase enzymes
Can you name two examples of irreversible β-lactamase inhibitors?
Clavulanate and Tazobactam.
Give an example of a combination of a β-lactam antibiotic and a β-lactamase inhibitor
Amoxicillin-clavulanate.
Piperacillin-tazobactam (H)
What spectrum of activity does Amoxicillin-clavulanate have?
It has a broad spectrum of activity.
What types of infections can Amoxicillin-clavulanate treat?
It can treat community-acquired infections caused by Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria.
Must know penicillin drugs
Penicillin (IV, oral and depot IM)
Cloxacillin/flucloxacillin
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin-clavulanate
How were cephalosporins developed?
Cephalosporins were developed in successive waves or generations.
What is the spectrum of 1st generation cephalosporins?
The spectrum is largely limited to Streptococci and Staphylococci.
Can you name examples of 1st generation cephalosporins and their routes of administration?
Cefazolin (IV) and Cephalexin (PO).
What additional bacteria does the 2nd generation cephalosporin spectrum cover compared to the 1st generation?
It covers Haemophilus and community-acquired Gram negatives, in addition to Streptococci and Staphylococci.
Can you name examples of 2nd generation cephalosporins and their routes of administration?
Cefuroxime (PO & IV).
What additional bacteria and conditions does the 3rd generation cephalosporin spectrum cover compared to the 2nd generation?
It covers typhoid, spirochetes, and has good CSF penetration.
Can you name examples of 3rd generation cephalosporins?
Cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and ceftazidime.
What is ceftazidime specifically effective against, and what is it poor for?
It is effective against Pseudomonas and poor for Streptococci, commonly used for hospital-acquired infections
What is the spectrum of 4th generation cephalosporins?
Similar to ceftazidime and cefotaxime.
Can you name an example of a 4th generation cephalosporin?
Cefepime.
What type of infections is cefepime commonly used for?
Hospital-acquired infections.
What is Cefazolin used for at induction?
It is used for surgical prophylaxis.
What type of serious infections is Cefazolin also used for?
Serious staphylococcal infections.
What are the routes of administration for Ceftriaxone?
Intravenous injection (IVI) and intramuscular injection (IMI).
How is Ceftriaxone primarily excreted from the body?
It is excreted mainly through the bile
What is the spectrum of Ceftriaxone?
It covers community-acquired Gram-positive (including most S. pneumoniae, but not ideal for S. aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria.
What is Ceftriaxone’s significance in the treatment of bacterial meningitis?
It has good CSF penetration and is the empiric drug of choice for bacterial meningitis.
For which serious infections is Ceftriaxone the drug of choice?
Typhoid and gonorrhea (IMI).
Why is Ceftriaxone considered a useful broad-spectrum agent?
It is effective for serious community-acquired infections.
What is the spectrum of activity for carbapenems?
Extremely broad spectrum covering most hospital-acquired Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and anaerobes.