Antimicrobial Therapy Flashcards
Describe antibiotics?
Antibiotics are compounds produced by a microbe that can kill or inhibit the growth of another organism. NATURE
Describe antimicrobials?
Antimicrobial are compounds that kill or inhibit the growth of a microorganism. Made in a LAB
Antibiotics are classified as?
- Bactericidal
- Bacteriostatic
What is Bactericidal?
Directly kill the bacteria
What is Bacteriostatic?
Inhibit the growth of the bacteria that then enables the body’s defence mechanisms to remove the bacteria (slows down growth)
How do antibiotics work?
- Interfere with the cell wall synthesis
- Interference with DNA replication
- Inhibit protein synthesis
- Interrupt metabolic reactions inside the cell
Describe broad-spectrum antibiotics?
Kill a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria but also destroy the normal flora
Describe narrow antibiotics?
Effective against a select group of pathogens (specific)
How do antibiotics reach their target in the pathogen?
- Cross the cell wall
- Cross the cell membrane to enter the cell
- Bind to its target inside the cell
What is antibiotic resistance?
The ability of a microbe to resist the effects of an antimicrobial agent
Ways antibiotic resistance is achieved?
- Producing bacterial enzymes that destroy/inactivate penicillin or other antibiotics
- Changing the cell membrane permeability
- Altering the target
- Pumping the antibiotic out
How can we reduce the development of resistance?
- Avoid excessive prescribing of antimicrobials
- Finish the full course of the antibiotics
- Never use leftover antibiotics that are prescribed for someone else
