Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Flashcards
what is the function of B-lactams
inhibit cell wall synthesis
what are the two groups of B-lactam antibiotics
- penicillins
- cephalosporins
what are two examples of glycopeptides
- vancomycin
- teicoplanin
what is the function of glycopeptides
inhibition of cell wall synthesis
what classification of bacteria do glycopeptides act on
gram positive
what is the function of amino-glycosides
protein synthesis inhibition
in what situation are aminoglycosides particularly useful
in serious gram negative (e.g. coliform) infections
what do fluroquinolones do?
nucleic acid synthesis inhibition
give an example of a fluoroquinolone
ciprofloxacin
what is a limitation of a fluoroquinolone
as it inhibits nucleic acid synthesis it cannot be used in children
ciprofloxacin
- fluoroquinolone
- effective against gram-negative organisms
- can be taken orally
what are the 2 important methods of bacterial resistance to B-lactam antibiotics
- B-lactamase production
- genetically altered binding sites to which B-lactams cannot bind
what can be used to treat B-lactamase producing micro-organisms
- flucloxacillin - it is B-lactamase resistant
describe glycopeptide resistance
vancomycin resistance is unusual in gram + organisms, however vancomycin resistant enterococci have appeared recently
describe the development of a C.Diff infection
C.Diff are a gut commensal (part of the normal flora of the gut), however when antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum antibiotics are taken, this results in a reduction of C.diffs competition. C.diff can therefore appear in vast quantities and possibly cause harm
what can help minimise the chances of patients developing a c.diff infection
restriction on prescription of antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum antibiotics
how can c.diff be treated
oral vancomycin can be prescribed, and if the patient is on other antibiotics, where possible/appropriate these could be stopped to enable the reintroduction of other gut commensals
name 2 antibiotics that should be carefully monitored and why
vancomycin
gentamicin
to avoid toxicity
ABZ
ascomycetes
basidiomycetes
zygomycetes
TAPE
Polyenes
Echinocandins
Allymines
Triazoles
function of polyenes
targets ergosterol
function of echinocandins
inhibit synthesis of glucan polysaccharides
function of triazoles/azoles
targets ergosterol
function of allylamines
target ergosterol
what class of anti fugal drug is amphotericin B
polyene
what is amphotericin B used for
administered via IV for serious yeast and other fungal infections
nystatin
- polyene
- used topically/ orally for fungal infections
what drug is typically used to treat yeast infections, and what class of anti-fungal drug does it fall into
- triazole/ azole
- flucanazole
terbinafine
- allyamine
- used for fungal infection of skin and nails
in what types of infections are echinocandins used
serious candida and aspergillum infections
aciclovir
anti-viral drug active against herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus
