Antimicrobial chemotherapy Flashcards
What is a bactericidal?
An antimicrobial that KILLS bacteria (e.g. penicillins)
What is a bacteriostatic?
an antimicrobial that INHIBITS the growth of bacteria
What is a sensitive organism?
Organism which IS inhibited or killed by levels of the antimicrobial that are available at the site of infection
What is a resistant organism?
Organism which is NOT killed or inhibited by the levels of the antimicrobial that are available at the site of infection
What is MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration)?
minimum concentration of the antimicrobial needed to INHIBIT visible growth of a given organism
What is MBC (minimal bactericidal concentration)?
minimal concentration of the antimicrobial needed to KILL a given organism
What is a topical route of administration?
applied to a SURFACE, usually skin or to mucous membranes (e.g. conjunctiva)
What is a systemic route of administration?
taken INTERNALLY, either orally or parenterally (injection)
what is a parental route of administration?
administered either INTRA-VENOUSLY (IV) or INTRA-MUSCULARLY (IM), occasionally subcutaneously
What are the 2 possible actions that antibiotics can do?
- inhibit bacteria
2. kill bacteria
What are the 3 sites of antibiotic action?
- inhibition of cell wall synthesis
- inhibition of protein synthesis
- inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis
What are 2 examples of antibiotics which inhibit cell wall synthesis?
Penicillins and cephalosporins
What are 2 examples of antibiotics which inhibit protein synthesis?
Gentamicin and erythromycin
What are 2 examples of antibiotics which inhibit nucleic acid synthesis?
Trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin
What family of antibiotics are penicilin and cephalosporins?
Beta-lactam antibiotics (inhibit cell wall synthesis)
How does penicillin and cephalosporin inhibit the cell wall synthesis?
They disrupt peptidoglycan synthesis by inhibiting enzymes which are responsible for cross-linking the carbohydrate chains.
What is another name for the enzymes involved in the peptidoglycan synthesis?
Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs)
What happens once the cell wall synthesis has been disrupted?
The organism is killed (by autolytic enzymes; self digestion by enzymes from the body)
What is the name of the original naturally occurring Beta lactam?
Benzyl penicillin (penicillin G)
Why have many semi-synthetic derivatives of Benzyl penicillin (penicillin G) have been produced?
they have an extended spectrum of action
What type of organisms are often resistant to benzyl penicillin? And why?
Gram negative bacteria: because of the impermeability of the gram negative cell wall
How do we categorise and describe cephalosporins?
“In generations”- more or less in the chronological order of first appearance
What are the 2 glycopeptide antibiotics which are common in clinical usage?
- vancomycin
- teicoplanin
What do glycopeptide antibiotics (vancomycin and teicoplanin)
Act on cell wall synthesis at a stage prior to Beta-lactams, inhibiting assembly of peptidoglycan precursor (bind to amino acids within cell wall to prevent assembly of peptidoglycan/no units added)
What groups of organisms do glycopeptide antibiotics act on and why?
Only on GRAM POSITIVE; as they cannot penetrate gram negative cell wall
How are peptidoglycan antibiotics administered?
Given parenterally/intravenous (injection) except in special circumstances as they are not absorbed in GI tract
When are glycopeptide antibiotics used on patients? (3)
- in severe cases/ critically ill patients
- when patient is hypersensitive to Beta-lactams
- patients infected with Beta-lactam resistant organisms
What is more toxic, vancomycin or teicoplanin?
Vancomycin
What are some side effects of vancomycin? (3)
- ototoxicity
- nephrotoxicity
- skin rashes
Why do pre-dose levels of vancomycin need to be closely monitored?
To ensure serum concentration is high enough to be therapeutic but not so high that it becomes toxic
What is the main dosing advantage of teicoplanin?
It can have single daily dosing
The spectrum of activity of vancomycin and teicoplanin is the same, so what influences mainly which one is used?
the cost
What family of antibiotics does gentamicin belong to?
Aminoglycoside
What is the primary organism that aminoglycosides are used for?
Gram negative bacteria (especially serious coliform infections)
Which group of gram positive bacteria are sensitive to gentamicin?
Staphylococci (streptococci are not)
How are aminoglycosides administered?
Injectable/intravenously rather than orally