Antimicrobial Agents Flashcards
What kind of organisms is benzyl penicillin active against?
It can be used in the treatment against gram-positive organisms including intravenous treatment of pneumococcal, meningococcal and strep pyogenes infection.
What kind of organisms does amoxicillin and ampicillin work against?
They work against gram negative organisms. Oral absorption cover streptococci and some coliforms.
What kind of organisms does co amoxiclav work against?
It has an extended spectrum to cover beta-lactamase producing coliforms.
What kind of organisms does flucloxacillin work against?
It is the first choice treatment for staphylococcal infections.
What kind of organisms does piperacillin work against?
It has extended gram-negative cover including activity against enterococcus faecalis and pseudomonas.
What kind of organisms does imipenem and meropenem work against?
They’re active against most bacteria including anaerobes.
What are the three generations of cephalosporins and how does the activity against gram positive bacteria change throughout?
The first generation is cephradine. The second generation is Cefuroxime. The third generation is ceftriaxone. The activity against gram-positive bacteria decreases proportionately from 1st to 3rd generation drugs.
How are aminoglycosides administered? What kind of organisms are they used against? Name an example and a possible problem with this
They are only administered parenterally. They’re active against gram negative organisms including pseudomonas and staphylococci. Streptococci are not sensitive. Gentamicin is the cheapest aminoglycoside but serum levels must be monitored because of potential toxicity.
How are glycopeptides administered? What organisms are they active against? Name an example and a potential problem with this
They are only administered parenterally. They’re active against only gram-positive organisms both aerobic and anaerobic. Vancomycin is an example but levels must be monitored because of potential toxicity.
When are the use of macrolides useful? Which organisms are sensitive to it? Name two examples of macrolides
They can be used as an alternative to penicillin in patients with penicillin hypersensitivity. Clarithromycin and erythromycins are useful against the activity of gram-positive organisms
What organisms do quinolones act against? What are the three generations of them?
They’re active against nearly all gram negative organisms including pseudomonas. First-generation is nalidixic acid. Second generation is ciprofloxacin. Third generation is levofloxacin. They are active against staphylococci but would not be the first choice agent. They are only oral treatment against pseudomonas.
What organisms is metronidazole useful against?
It is affective against anaerobes of gram-positive or gram-negative. It is used in any situation which may involve an anaerobic infection.
What organisms and diseases are fusidic acid useful for?
It is useful against staphylococci. It diffuses well into bone and tissues so was useful and Staphylococcal osteomyelitis and pneumonia.
What two drugs make up co-trimoxazole? What infection is this useful for?
Trimethoprim and sulphamexozole.
Specialised conditions and chest infections as long as it doesn’t predispose for clostridium difficile infection.
What are tetracyclines useful against? Who should they not be given to?
They are broad spectrum agents useful for some genital tract and respiratory tract infections. Should not be given to children or pregnant women as they are deposited in the teeth and bone.
