Antibiotics Flashcards
Sulfonamides
- Mechanism
- Resistance
Bacteriostatic (Bactericidal when administered with Trimethoprim)
PABA analog that acts as a competitive antagonist against dihydrojpterate synthase. Inhibitor of folic acid biosynthesis which inhibits nucleic acid biosynthesis.
Resistance: mutations that result in alterations of target enzyme, decreased uptake, or increased PABA synthesis
Trimethoprim (Benzylpyrimidine)
- Mechanism
- Resistance
Bacteriostatic (Bactericidal when administered with Sulfonamides)
Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase. Inhibitor of folic acid biosynthesis which inhibits nucleic acid biosynthesis
Resistance: decreased influx, increased production of dihydrofolate reductase, decreased antibiotic binding affinity to dihydrofolate reductase
Fluoroquinolones
- Mechanism
- Resistance
Bactericidal
Inhibits DNA Gyrase (DNA Topoisomerase II) in gram negative bacteria → Prevents relaxation of the DNA strand as it is unwound by helicase
Inhibits DNA Topoisomerase IV in gram positive bacteria → Prevents separation of the replicated chromosomal DNA into daughter cells during cell division
Resistance: chromosome-encoded mutation in DNA gyrate which decreases the binding affinity of the antibiotic, plasmid mediated resistance, efflux pumps, decreased influx
Metronidazole
- Mechanism
- Resistance
Bactericidal
Pro-drug → the nitro group is chemically reduced by bacterial oxidoreductases to become active (mammalian cells lack the enzymes that reduce the pro-drug)
The reduced form of the drug causes damage to DNA strands
Resistance: observed but unknown
Rifamycins
- Mechanism
- Resistance
Bactericidal
Binds non-covalently to the β-subunit of DNA dependent RNA polymerase. Inhibits the initiation of transcription but does not inhibit transcription already in progress
Resistance: mutations that reduce drug binding to RNA polymerase.
Monotherapy rapidly leads to resistance
Chloramphenicol
- Mechanism
- Resistance
Bacteriostatic for most organisms
Bactericidal for H. influenzae, S. Pneumoniae, N. meningitidis
Inhibits elongation of the peptide chain during translation by inhibiting peptidyltransferase (forms peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids) in the 23S component of the 50S subunit
Resistance: decreased influx, plasmid-encoded acetyl transferase inactivates the drug
Clindamycin (Lincosamides)
- Mechanism
- Resistance
Bacteriostatic
Inhibits translocation (peptide transfer) during translation by binding to the P and A sites in the 50S subunit
Resistance: production of a methylase that modifies the ribosomal target and leads to decreased drug binding (ribosomal methylation)
Expression of MLS-B resistance can be constitutive or inducible. In inducible resistance, the bacteria produce inactive mRNA that is unable to encode methylase. The mRNA becomes active only in the presence of a macrolide inducer. By contrast, in constitutive expression, active methylase mRNA is produced in the absence of an inducer.
Linezoid (Oxazolidinones)
- Mechanism
- Resistance
Bacteriostatic (sometimes bactericidal)
Prevents initiation of translation by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibiting the formation of the 70S ribosomal initiation complex
Resistance: point mutations of the 23 S rRNA component prevent binding of the drug
Macrolides
- Mechanism
- Resistance
Bacteriostatic
Inhibits translocation during translation by binding to the 23S rRNA component of the 50S subunit
Resistance: efflux via an ATP-dependent pump, production of a methylase that modifies the ribosomal target and leads to decreased drug binding (ribosomal methylation), hydrolysis by esterases, mutation of the 23S rRNA component of the 50S ribosomal subunit
Expression of MLS-B resistance can be constitutive or inducible. In inducible resistance, the bacteria produce inactive mRNA that is unable to encode methylase. The mRNA becomes active only in the presence of a macrolide inducer. By contrast, in constitutive expression, active methylase mRNA is produced in the absence of an inducer.
Streptogramins
- Mechanism
- Resistance
Bactericidal
Streptogramin A (Dalfopristin): binds to the 50S subunit and induces a conformational change in the subunit which enhances the binding of streptogramin B (quinupristin)
Streptogramin B (Quinupristin): inhibits translocation during translation by binding to 23S rRNA of the 50S subunit (occupies the same location as macrolides)
Resistance: production of a methylase that modifies the ribosomal target and leads to decreased drug binding (ribosomal methylation)
Active transport efflux and acetyltransferases are the mechanisms for resistance against Streptogramin A
Expression of MLS-B resistance can be constitutive or inducible. In inducible resistance, the bacteria produce inactive mRNA that is unable to encode methylase. The mRNA becomes active only in the presence of a macrolide inducer. By contrast, in constitutive expression, active methylase mRNA is produced in the absence of an inducer.
Aminoglycosides
- Mechanism
- Resistance
Bactericidal
Inhibits the initiation and translocation steps of translation and causes misreading of the mRNA.
Covalently binds to the 30S subunit to prevent formation of the initiation complex.
Resistance: acquisition of plasmid encoded inactivating enzymes - acetylases, adenylases, phosphorylases
decreased drug permeability / influx
Tetracyclines and Tigecycline
- Mechanism
- Resistance
Bacteriostatic
Inhibits elongation of the peptide chain during translation by preventing aminoacyl-tRNA from binding the A site of the ribosome.
Binds to the 30S subunit
Resistance: decreased intracellular accumulation due to decreased influx or acquisition of an energy dependent efflux mechanism, decreased access to the ribosome due to ribosome protecting proteins encoded by the TetO genes, enzymatic inactivation of the drug (TetX modification)
β-lactam antibiotics
(Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Carbapenems, Monobactams)
1. Mechanism
2. Resistance
Bactericidal
Structural analogs of D-alanyl-D-alanine that covalently (irreversibly) bind to transpeptidases (penicillin binding proteins) and prevent transpeptidase cross-linking of the peptidoglycan in the cell wall
Resistance: β-lactamase (penicillinase) inactivates the antibiotic, decreased drug permeability / influx, ATP-dependent efflux pumps, decreased binding affinity of the antibiotic to penicillin binding proteins (transpeptidases) through mutation or recombination
**Carbapenems are resistant to β-lactamases
β-lactamase-resistant antibiotics
(Nafcillin, Oxacillin, Methicillin, Flucloxacillin, Cloxacillin, Dicloxacillin)
1. Mechanism
2. Resistance
Bactericidal
Same mechanism of action as other β-lactam antibiotics, but they are resistant to β-lactamase because they have a bulky R group that blocks access of β-lactamase to the β-lactam ring
Resistance: decreased binding affinity of the antibiotic to penicillin binding proteins (transpeptidases) through mutation or recombination
Mechanism: β-lactamase inhibitors
Protect β-lactam antibiotics from destruction by β-lactamase (penicillinase)
Vancomycin
- Mechanism
- Resistance
Bactericidal for gram positive rods
Bacteriostatic for gram positive cocci
Binds the D-ala-D-ala terminus of the muerin monomer of cell wall precursors which inhibits the attachment of disaccharide subunits to the pre-existing cell wall
Resistance: acquisition of the vancomycin HAX genes - replace the terminal D-ala-D-ala normally found at the end of the pentapeptide chain (where vancomycin binds) with D-lactate
Mechanism: Polymyxins
Bactericidal
Cationic detergents that disrupt the membranes of gram negative bacteria
Mechanism: Daptomycin
Bactericidal: VRE
Bacteriostatic: S. pneumoniae, S. aureus
Lipopeptide that disrupts the cell membrane of gram positive cocci. It inserts into the cell membrane and aggregates which creates holes in the membrane that leak ions. This causes rapid depolarization resulting in a loss of membrane potential which inhibits protein, DNA, and RNA synthesis and leads to cell death.
Isoniazid (INH)
- Mechanism:
- Resistance:
- Toxicity:
- Pharmacokinetics
Bacteriostatic
Inhibits the synthesis of mycolic acids which are essential components of the mycobacterial cell wall and are unique to mycobacteria
Resistance: mutations leading to the under expression of KatG
Toxicity: neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) can prevent neurotoxicity
Pharmacokinetics: inactivated by acetylation
The rate of acetylation (different for each patient) determines the drug’s effectiveness
Ethambutol (EMB)
- Mechanism:
- Toxicity:
Bacteriostatic
Only effective aganist mycobacteria
Inhibits the polymerization of arabinogalactan in the cell wall by inhibiting arabinosyltransferase
Toxicity: optic neuropathy (red-green color blindness)
Pyrazinamide (PZA)
- Mechanism:
- Toxicity:
Bacteriostatic
Prodrug → converted into the active compound pyrazinoic acid by pyrazinamidase in tuberculosis.
Unknown mechanism - maybe inhibits mycobacterial fatty acid synthase I (FAS-I) gene involved in mycolic acid biosynthesis
Toxicity: hyperuricemia, hepatotoxicity
Dapsone
- Mechanism
- Toxicity:
- Pharmacokinetics
Bacteriostatic
Inhibits folate synthesis (same mechanism as sulfonamides)
Toxicity: hemolysis at doses >200mg/day, GI intolerance, fever, pruritus, erythema nodosum leprosum may develop during therapy
Pharmacokinetics: acetylated in the liver by the same enzymes as INH, 70-80% is excreted in the urine
Clinical Use: Sulfonamides
Broad spectrum
Nocarida, Chlamydia
Combination therapy with TMP (TMP-SMX): Urinary tract infections Cellulitis Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia or toxoplasmosis prophylaxis in HIV patients Shigella, Salmonella
Clinical Use: Trimethoprim
Broad spectrum
Combination therapy with TMP (TMP-SMX): Urinary tract infections Cellulitis Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia or toxoplasmosis prophylaxis in HIV patients Shigella, Salmonella
Clinical Use: Fluoroquinolones
Gram-negative rods of the urinary and GI tracts including Pseudomonas and Neisseria
Clinical Use: Metronidazole
Treats anaerobic infections below the diaphragm (ex: C. difficile)
Giardia, Entamoeba, Trichomonas, Gardnerella vaginalis
Used with a proton pump inhibit and clarithromycin for “triple therapy” against H. pylori
Clinical Use: Rifamycins
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Neisseria
Used in combination with Dapsone for Leprosy
Prophylaxis for meningitis from meningococci and H. influenzae
Clinical Use: Chloramphenicol
Meningitis: H. influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, S. pneumoniae
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Rickettsia rickettsii)