Antimicrobials Flashcards
What are the agent(s) of the folate anti-metabolites class?
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (sulfonamides and trimethoprim rarely used separately)
What is the mechanism of action of folate anti-metabolites?
Prevent production of tetrahydrofolate for synthesis of purines and thymidine
- Sulfonamide inhibits dihydropteroate synthetase
- Trimethoprim inhibits dihydrofolate reductase
What is the spectrum of activity for folate anti-metabolites?
Traditionally used for Gram negatives
Some Gram positive activity including S. aureus
Some protozoa and fungi
What are common adverse events of folate anti-metabolites?
Common: nausea, vomiting, headache, rash
Rare: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug interactions
What are the major clinical uses of folate anti-metabolites?
UTI and respiratory infections
Increasing use for S. aureus
What are the agent(s) of the quinolones (and fluoroquinolones)?
Ciprofloxacin, Moxifloxacin
What is the mechanism of action of the quinolones?
Form complex with DNA and topoisomerase II or IV, preventing the topoisomerase from fixing the DNA double strand breaks
What are the mechanisms of resistance of folate anti-metabolites?
Genetic mutation
Plasmid (containing alternate dhfr allele in the case of trimethoprim)
What are the mechanisms of resistance of quinolones?
Mutations in target enzyme (topoisomerase)
Efflux pumps
What are common adverse effects of quinolones?
Common: GI intolerance, headache, nervousness
Rare:
Seizures
May prolong QT interval in patients taking other medications that can prolong QT
Tendon rupture
What is the spectrum of activity of quinolones?
Active against most Gram negatives and “atypicals” (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Legionella, Mycobacteria)
Moxifloxacin is also active against Gram positive Strep and anaerobes
What are the clinical uses of quinolones?
GI infections
Ciprofloxacin - UTIs
Moxifloxacin - Pneumonia, mycobacterial infections, polymicrobial infections due to anaerobic activity
What is the spectrum of activity of Nitrofurantoin?
Gram-pos and Gram-neg uropathogens (Staph, Strep, Enterococcus, Klebsiella)
What are the clinical uses of Nitrofurantoin?
Only used for UTI
What agent(s) are in the Rifamycins class?
Rifampin
Rifabutin
Rifaximin
What is the mechanism of action of rifamycins?
Binds beta subunit of RNA polymerase and blocks transcription
What is unique about the pharmacology/kinetics of rifamycins?
Metabolized by P450 3A4
- Rafampin: potent induced, can increase metabolism of other drugs
- Rifabutin: levels can rise in presence of P450 inhibitors
- Rifaximin: not absorbed, only taken PO
What are common adverse events of rifamycins?
Turns secretions orange!
GI intolerance
Hematologic or hepatic toxicity
What is the spectrum of activity of rifamycins?
Very broad, includes Gram pos, Gram neg, anaerobic and mycobacterial
What are the clinical uses of rifamycins?
Prophylaxis (for Neisseria)
Used in combination with other antimicrobials, i.e. in the treatment of Mycobacterial TB infection
Rifaximin: just treats GI infections since poorly absorbed
What is the spectrum of activity of Fidaxomicin?
Only Gram-positive bacteria
But also has less dramatic effect on fecal microbiome than other agents
What are the clinical uses of Fidaxomicin?
C. diff colitis
What antimicrobials fall under the category of Beta-lactam agents?
Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Carbapenems
Monobactams
What are mechanisms of resistance of Penicillins?
Beta-lactamase
Modified Penicillin-binding proteins (e.g. e.g. PBP2A encoded by the mecA gene which results in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with a decreased affinity for β-lactam antibiotics)
What are the common adverse events of Penicillins?
Hypersensitivity reactions (rashes, serum sickness) At high concentrations: seizures
What are the classes of Penicillins?
Penicillin G (and V)
Semi-synthetic penicillins
Aminopenicillins
“Antipseudomonal” penicillins
What is the spectrum of activity of Penicillin G?
Gram positive cocci and anaerobes
Gram negative cocci
Spirochetes (syphilis)
What are the clinical uses of Penicillin G?
Infections caused by most Streptococci (if susceptible)
Gram positive anaerobic infections (dental abscesses, bites)
Syphilis
What agents are in the class of semi-synthetic penicillins and are they IV or PO?
Nafcillin - IV
Dicloxacillin - PO
What is the spectrum of activity of semi-synthetic penicillins?
NO Gram negatives
ONLY Gram positive cocci and anaerobes
What are the clinical uses of semi-synthetic penicillins?
Infections due to methicillin-SUSCEPTIBLE S. aureus (MSSA)
What agents fall in the class of aminopenicillins and are they IV or PO?
Ampicillin - IV
Amoxicillin - PO
What is the spectrum of activity of aminopenicillins?
Gram positive cocci and anaerobes
Some Gram neg bacilli
What are the clinical uses of aminopenicillins?
Community-acquired HEENT and upper respiratory infections
Community-acquired UTIs
What agents fall in the class of “antipseudomonal” penicillins?
Piperacillin
What is the spectrum of activity of Piperacillin?
Includes highly-resistant Gram-neg bacilli like Pseudomonas
What are the clinical uses of Piperacillin?
NONE ON ITS OWN. Only used in combination with tazobactam as a beta-lactamase inhibitor
What is the mechanism of action of beta-lactamase inhibitors?
Bind and hydrolyze beta-lactamases while beta-lactams remain intact and exert effect
What agents fall under the class of beta-lactamase inhibitors?
Ampicillin-sulbactam
Amoxicillin-clavulanic
Piperacillin-tazobactam
What is the spectrum of activity of beta-lactamase inhibitors?
Very broad. Beta lactam combined with inhibitor covers:
- Gram pos like S. aureus (but not MRSA)
- Beta-lactamase producing Gram neg and anaerobes
- Piperacillin-tazobactam also covers Pseudomonas!
What are the clinical uses of beta-lactamase inhibitors?
Polymicrobial infections or resistant infections
What is the mechanism of action of cephalosporins?
Beta-lactam
How do beta-lactam agents work?
Covalently bind transpeptidases involved in forming the peptide cross-links in the peptidoglycan, creating a weakened cell wall.
Autolysins will lyse cell.
What are the first generation cephalosporins?
Cefazolin
Cephalexin
What are the common adverse events of cephalosporins?
Minimal side effects
Hypersensitivity
Possible cross-reactivity with penicillin allergy
What is the spectrum of activity of first generation cephalosporins?
Gram positive Strep and Staph
Some Gram negative bacilli
What are the clinical uses of first generation cephalosporins?
Cefazolin - antimicrobial prophylaxis during surgery
Cephalexin - oral cephalosporin, usually skin and soft tissue infections from Strep and Staph (not MRSA)
What are the second generation cephalosporins?
Cefoxitin
What is the spectrum of activity of second generation cephalosporins?
Gram pos Strep and Staph
Excellent activity against Gram neg anaerobes
Increased activity against Gram neg bacilli
What are the clinical uses of second generation cephalosporins?
Treat intraabdominal infections or prophylaxis in intraabdominal surgery
What are the third generation cephalosporins?
Ceftriaxone, Ceftrazidime
What is the spectrum of activity of third generation cephalosporins?
Gram-pos Strep and Staph
Excellent activity against Gram neg cocci and bacilli (high degree of penetration into CSF)
What are the clinical uses of third generation cephalosporins?
Cefriaxone - meningitis, endocarditis and osteomyelitis, community-acquired pneumonia
Ceftazidime - covers Pseudomonas!
What are the mechanisms of resistance to cephalosporins?
More resistant to beta-lactamases (not much effect)
Intrinsic resistance (mostly enterococci and Pseudomonas)
Altered membrane permeability - Pseudomonas
Altered PBPs
What are the fourth generation cephalosporins?
Cefepime
What is the spectrum of activity of fourth generation cephalosporins?
Broadest spectrum
Gram-positive Staph and Strep
Extremely active against Gram neg bacteria including Pseudomonas
What are the clinical uses of fourth generation cephalosporins?
Pseudomonas
What are the fifth generation cephalosporins?
Ceftaroline
What is the spectrum of activity of ceftaroline?
Most Gram-pos (including MRSA but not enterococci)
Some Gram-neg (but not Pseudomonas)
What are the clinical uses of ceftaroline?
MRSA treatment
What agents are in the class of Carbapenems?
Imipenem
Ertapenem
What is the mechanism of action of Carbapenems?
Beta-lactam
What are the mechanism of resistance of Carbapenems?
Not much resistance
Resistance to most beta-lactamases
Some carbapenemases exist
What are common adverse side effects of Carbapenems?
Hypersensitivity reactions
Seizures at high concentration
Possible cross-reactivity with penicillin allergy
What is the spectrum of activity of Carbapenems?
Very broad
Gram pos (including Enterococcus faecalis)
Gram neg (including Pseudomonas, except when treating with Ertapenem)
Anaerobes
What are the clinical uses of carbapenems?
Serious infections
Treatment of infections due to resistant bacteria
What agents are in the class of Monobactams?
Aztreonam
What is the mechanism of action of aztreonam?
Beta-lactam
What are the common adverse side effects of aztreonam?
Little cross-reactivity to penicillin or cephalosporin allergy
What is the spectrum of activity of aztreonam?
Gram negative ONLY
No Gram positive
What are the clinical uses of aztreonam?
Used as alternative for patients with penicillin/cephalosporin allergy
What are the agents in the category of glycopeptides?
Vancomycin
What is the mechanism of action of vancomycin?
Binds terminal D-alanine dipeptide of peptidoglycan, inhibits glycosyltransferase and transpeptidase
What are mechanism of resistance of vancomycin?
Alteration of vancomycin binding site (encoded by vanA - vanE)
Thickened cell wall resulting in inability of antibiotic to penetrate
What are common adverse side effects of vancomycin?
“Red Man” syndrome: flushing, redness, hypotension during infusion
Dose related ototoxicity
Nephrotoxicity (must monitor levels)
What is the spectrum of activity of vancomycin?
Gram positive ONLY (including MRSA)
NO Gram negative
What are clinical uses of vancomycin?
Inferior to beta lactams, but typically used for Gram-pos infections resistant to beta-lactams (MRSA)
Empiris treatment for serious Gram-pos infections
C. diff associated disease
What agents are in the class of cyclic lipopeptides?
Daptomycin
What is the mechanism of action of daptomycin?
Inserts lipophilic tail into cell membrane –> rapid membrane depolarization and efflux of K+
What are the common adverse side effects of daptomycin?
GI upset, rash, headache
Elevation of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and possible rhabdomyolysis associated with higher dosing
- Should monitor CPK levels
What is the spectrum of activity of daptomycin?
Gram pos (includes MRSA and VRE)
Gram pos anaerobes
NO Gram neg activity
What are the clinical uses of daptomycin?
Complicated skin and soft tissue infections, bacteremia, endocarditis
What is the mechanism of action of polymixins?
Bind LPS and disrupt outer membrane
What are common adverse effects of polymixins?
Significant toxicities (nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, bronchospasm)
What is the spectrum of activity of polymixins?
ONLY Gram neg bacilli
Reemerged in usage despite toxicity due to strains of Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas resistant to all other agents
What are the clinical uses of polymixins?
Serious resistant Gram neg infections, pneumonia
What is the spectrum of activity of Bacitracin?
Gram pos ONLY
What are the clinical uses of Bacitracin?
Ointments (topical), often in combination with other antimicrobials
What are the clinical uses of Fosfomycin?
UTI only (in an oral powder)
What antimicrobials fall under the classification of Protein Synthesis Inhibitors?
Aminoglycosides Tetracyclines Glycyclines Macrolides Lincosamides Oxazolidinones Mupirocin
What agents are in the class of Aminoglycosides?
Gentamicin
Amikacin
What is the mechanism of action of Aminoglycosides?
Binds 30S ribosomal subunit, causes subunit to misread genetic code
What are the mechanisms of resistance of Aminoglycosides?
- Decreased uptake of drug (chromosomally mediated)
- Altered receptor on 30S with lower affinity for drug
- Synthesis of enzymes that modify and inactivate aminoglycosides (chromosomally mediated)
What are the common adverse events of Aminoglycosides?
- Narrow therapeutic range (must monitor levels)
- Ototoxicity (irreversible)
- Cochlear damage: hearing loss
- Vestibular damage: vertigo
- Nephrotoxicity (do not give to renal insufficient patients)
- Neuromuscular blockade
- Do not give to myasthenia gravis patients!
- Can cross placenta, do not give to pregnant patients
What is the spectrum of activity of Aminoglycosides?
Gram neg (including Pseudomonas)
Also covers Mycobacteria, Francisella (Tularemia), Yersinia (Plague
NO Gram pos (but can see synergy when used with B-lactams since allows drug to penetrate cell wall)
What are the clinical uses of Aminoglycosides?
Complicated UTIs
Used in combination with B-lactams for serious Gram-neg infections like bacteremia/sepsis
First line treatment for tularemia and plague
What agents are in the class of Tetracyclines?
Doxycycline
Tetracycline
Minocycline
What is the mechanism of action of Tetracyclines?
Binds 30S subunit, blocking access of tRNA to mRNA-ribosome complex
What are the mechanisms of resistance of Tetracyclines?
Widespread resistance, limits clinical utility
- Gene transfer on plasmids
These genes encode proteins for active efflux and ribosomal protective proteins (RPPs)
What are common adverse events associated with tetracyclines?
- Permanent discoloration and hypoplasia of teeth
- Stunted growth in children, do not give
- Can cross placenta, do not give
- Photosensitivity of skin
What is the spectrum of activity of tetracyclines?
Broad spectrum, but limited by widespread resistance
- Some Gram neg, usually CA, but limited due to resistance
- Gram pos: Staph (includes some CA-MRSA) and Strep
- Atypicals: Chlamydia, Mycoplasma
- Spirochetes
What are clinical uses of tetracyclines?
- Bronchitis, CA-pneumonia
- STIs: Chlamydia
- Lyme disease
- Doxycycline: Malaria prophylaxis
- Minocycline - Acne treatment
What agents are in class of Glycyclines?
Tigecycline
What is the mechanism of action of glycyclines?
Bind 30S ribosomal subunit, inhibits protein translation and synthesis
What are the mechanisms of resistance of Glycyclines?
Overcomes all tetracycline resistance with structural modifications
What are the common adverse events associated with Glycyclines?
Same as tetracyclines
Discoloration of teeth, stunted growth in children, photosensitivity of skin
What is the spectrum of activity of glycyclines?
Gram neg (except Pseudomonas, Proteus, Morganella, Providencia) Gram pos (including MRSA and VRE) Anaerobes
What are clinical uses of glycyclines?
Complicated skin and soft tissue infections
Complicated intra-abdominal infections
CA pneumonia
What agents are in the class of Macrolides?
Azithromycin
Erythromycin
Clarithromycin
What is the mechanism of action of the macrolides?
Binds 50S ribosomal subunit
What are the mechanisms of resistance of macrolides?
- Efflux pumps
- Target site alteration: erm genes
- Important for erythromycin and may infer clindamycin resistance
- Decreased cell wall permeability (intrinsic resistance to some Gram neg)
What are common adverse events of Macrolides?
GI distress (common) Prolonged QT interval
What is the spectrum of activity of Macrolides?
Gram neg: most CA Gram neg, including Haemophilus influenza, Moraxella, E.Coli
Gram pos: Staph and Strep
Anaerobes: some Gram neg anaerobes
Atypicals: Chalmydia, Mycoplasma, Legionella
What are clinical uses of Azithromycin?
CA pneumonia and pronchities Atypical pneumonia STIs: Chlamydia Traveler's diarrhea Prophylaxis against Mycobacterium avium in HIV/AIDS patients
What are the clinical uses of Erythromycin?
Infrequent use due to adverse effects
Sometimes for gut motility
What are the clinical uses of Clarithromycin?
Used in combination with other agents to treat Helicobacter pylori or Mycobacterium avium
What agents fall in class of Lincosamides?
Clindamycin
What is the mechanism of action of Clindamycin?
Binds 50S ribosomal subunit
What are the mechanisms of resistance of Clindamycin?
- Erm gene mutation
If S. aureus is susceptible to clindamycin and resistant to erythromycin, suspect it will get inducible clindamycin resistance
What are common adverse events of clindamycin?
C. diff infection
Rare: hepatotoxicity, agranulocytosis
What is the spectrum of activity of clindamycin?
NO Gram neg
Gram pos: Staph (including CA-MRSA) and Strep
Anaerobes: oral anaerobes, “above the diaphragm”
Parasites: malaria, toxoplasmosis
What are clinical uses of Clindamycin?
CA-pneumonia
Oral/ENT infections, including abscesses “above the diaphragm”
Human bite wounds
What agents are in the class of Oxazolidinones?
Linezolid, Tedizolid
What is the mechanism of action of Oxazolidinones?
Bind 50S subunit and prevent formation of 70S initiation complex
What are the mechanisms of resistance of Oxazolidinones?
Resistance is uncommon
- Point mutations at target sites
- Plasma mediated resistance gene cfr
What are the common adverse events associated with Oxazolidinones?
Bone marrow suppression
Inhibits monoamine oxidase activity –> serotonin syndrome
Lactic acidosis with prolonged use
What is the spectrum of activity of Oxazolidinones?
Gram pos ONLY (including MRSA and VRE)
NO Gram neg
What are the clinical uses of Oxazolidinones?
VRE infections
Nosomicomial pneumonia due to MRSA
Complicated skin and soft tissue infections
What is the mechanism of activity of Mupirocin?
Binds reversibly to isoleucyl tRNA synthetase, causing arrest in protein synthesis
What is the spectrum of activity of Mupirocin?
Gram pos ONLY (but no enterococci)
NO Gram neg
NO anaerobic
Weaker activity against “normal skin flora”, good because keeps this natural defense
What are clinical uses of Mupirocin?
Uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections cause by Gram-pos
MRSA decoloniztion of anterior nares
What agents are DNA synthesis inhibitors?
Class of Imidazoles
Includes:
- Metronidazole
- Tinidazole
What is the mechanism of action of Imidazoles?
Production of free radicals
What are common adverse events of Imidazoles?
Metallic taste
Neurologic effects from hyaluronic acid, vertigo, confusion
Disulfram-like effect when taken with alcohol leads to vomiting, flushing
What is the spectrum of activity of Imidazoles?
ONLY anaerobes and protozoa
- Gram neg anaerobes
- C diff
- “Below the diaphragm”
What are the clinical uses of Imidazoles?
Anaerobic infections “below the diaphragm”
C. diff infection
Trichomonas and bacterial vaginosis