Antimicrobials Flashcards
Combination therapy
- Sequential blockade (eg, trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole)
- Blockade of drug-inactivating enzymes (eg, clavulanic acid + amoxicillin)
- Enhanced drug uptake (eg, increased permeability to aminoglycosides after
Resistance
- If maximal level of antibiotic tolerated by host does not halt growth
- Primary resistance: Ex. Pseudomonas resistant to many antibiotics due to not having porins
- Acquired drug resistance
- Spontaneous mutations of DNA
- DNA transfer of drug resistance
- Altered expression of proteins in drug-resistant organisms
Antimicrobial Chemoprophylaxis
- Should always be directed toward a specific pathogen
- No resistance should develop
- Use should be of limited duration
- Conventional therapeutic doses should be employed
- Should only be used in situations of documented drug efficacy
Cell wall synthesis inhibitors
- Beta-lactam antibiotics
- penicillins
- cephalosporins
- carbapenems
- monobactams
- Vancomycin
- Daptomycin
- Bacitracin
- Fosfomycin
Penicillins
- Cell wall synthesis inhibitors
- Widely effective: except Staph aureus which have beta-lactamase
- Little toxicity
- Increasing levels of resistance
- Structure: All include Beta-lactam ring
MOA:
- Bactericidal
- Inhibit last step in peptidogly can synthesis through binding to PBPs
- Inactive against organisms without peptidoglycan cell wall eg, mycoplasma, protozoa, fungi, viruses
- PBPs
- Bacterial enzymes inactivated by penicillins
- Include transpeptidases
- Number varies with type of organism
- Resistance can develop with PBP mutations
- Autolysin production
- Produced by bacteria and mediate cell lysis
- Penicillins activate autolysins to initiate cell death
- Bacteria eventually lyse due to activity of autolysins and inhibition of cell-wall assembly
- Gram-positive bacteria have cell wall easily crossed by penicillin’s
- Ability to reach PBPs determined by: size, charge, hydrophobicity
Penicillin G - Clinical application (DOC for)
- Syphilis (benzathine penicillin G)
- Strep infections (especially in prevention of rheumatic fever)
- Susceptible pneumococci
Repository penicillins
- Penicillin G Procaine, Penicillin G Benzathine
- Developed to prolong duration of penicillin G
- Penicillin G procaine
- IM not IV (risk of procaine toxicity)
- t1/2 = 12-24h
- Seldom used (increased resistance)
- Penicillin G **benazthine **
- DOC for rheumatic fever prophylaxis & syph (but make sure no allergies)
- IM
- t1/2 = 3-4 weeks
Penicillin V
- Natural penicillins
- Similar antibacterial spectrum to penicillin G (less active against Gram –ve bacteria)
- More acid stable than G (can give orally)
- DOC: strep throat
*
Methicillin, Nafcillin, Oxacillin, Dicloxacillin
- Antistaphylococcal penicillins
- Beta-lactamase resistant
- Inactive against MRSA
- Methicillin is never DOC (never used clinically)
- Restricted to treatment of beta-lactamase-producing staphylococci
- Recommended as first-line treatment for staphylococci endocarditis in patients without artificial heart valves
Ampicillin, Amoxicillin
- Extended-spectrum penicillins
- Similar to penicillin G (plus Gram-negative activity)
- Susceptible to beta-lactamases
- Activity enhanced with beta-lactamase inhibitor
- Amoxicillin has higher oral bioavailability than other penicillins (including ampicillin) ie do not require empty stomach
- Amoxicillin is a common antibiotic prescribed for **children and in pregnancy **
- Used for treatment of a number of infections: acute otitis media, streptococcal pharyngitis, pneumonia, skin infections, UTIs etc.
- **Widely used to treat upper respiratory infections (H.influenzae & S.pneumoniae) **
- **Amoxicillin = standard regimen for endocarditis prophylaxis during dental or respiratory tract procedures **
- **Ampicillin is used in combination with aminoglycoside to treat enterococci and Listerial infections **
Carbenicillin, Ticarcillin, Piperacillin
- Antipseudomonal penicilins
- Effective against many Gram-negative and Gram- positive bacilli
- Often combined with beta-lactamase inhibitor
- Piperacillin + Cipro Active against P.aeruginosa: Acute bronchitis in a Pt w acute bronchitis and COPD
- Treatment of moderate-severe infections of susceptible organisms (eg, uncomplicated & complicated skin, gynecologic and intra-abdominal infections, febrile neutropenia)
Effective empiric treatment for infective endocarditis
- penicillin + aminoglycoside
- synergistic
Pencillins Resistance
One of 4 general mechanisms (primary or acquired):
- Inactivation by beta-lactamase
- Modification of target PBPs
- Impaired penetration of drug to target PBPs
- Increased efflux
MRSA (ORSA) = altered target PBPs (low affinity for
Penicillins: PK
Half-life: ~30-60 min (except repository penicillins)
Oral absorption:
- Absorption impaired by food (except amoxicillin -> high oral bioavailability)
- Nafcillin = erratic (not suitable for oral admin.)
Distribution
- All achieve therapeutic levels in pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, synovial fluids & urine
- Nafcillin, ampicillin & piperacillin achieve high levels in bile,
- Levels in prostate & eye = insufficient
- CSF penetration = poor (except in meningitis)
Excretion
- Most excreted primarily via kidney (beware in kidney failure)
- Nafcillin = exception as primarily excreted in bile
- Oxacillin & dicloxacillin = renal & biliary excretion
Penicillins: Adverse
- Hypersensitivity
- Penicilloic acid = major antigenic determinant
- ~ 5 % patients claim to have some reaction (maculopapular rash -> anaphylaxis)
- Cross-allergic reactions between beta-lactam antibiotics can occur
- GI disturbances (eg, diarrhea)
- Pseudomembranous colitis (ampicillin)
- Maculopapular rash (ampicillin, amoxicillin)
- Interstitial nephritis (particularly methicillin)
- Neurotoxicity (epileptic patients at risk)
- Hematologic toxicities (ticarcillin)
- Neutropenia (nafcillin)
- Hepatitis (oxacillin)
- Secondary infections (eg, vaginal candidiasis)
Clavulanic acid, Sulbactam, Tazobactam
- Beta-lactamase inhibitor
- Contain beta-lactam ring but do not have sig. antibacterial activity
- Bind to and inactivate most beta-lactamases
- Available only in fixed combinations with specific penicillins
- Indication: mild-mod diverticulitis (enteric Gram -ve bacteria + enterococci anearobes)
Cephalosporins
- Beta-lactam antibiotics
- Bactericidal
- Same MOA as penicillin’s
- Affected by similar resistance mechanisms
- Classified into generations
Cephalosporins: antibacterial spectrum
- In general, Gram positive activity diminishes while Gram- negative activity increases moving from the first-to third generations
- 4th generation demonstrate similar activity to first- generation agents against Gram-positive cocci and are also active against most Gram-negative bacilli.
- 5th generation have a similar spectrum to the 3rd generation. They are unique in that they have activity against MRSA.
- All 1st-4th generation cephalosporins are considered inactive against MRSA,
- All cephalosporins are considered inactive against enterococci, Listeria, Legionella, Chlamydia, mycoplasma, and acinetobacter species.
Cefazolin, Cephalexin
- 1st gen Cephalosporins
- Penicillin G substitutes
- Resistant to staphylococcal penicillinase
- Activity against Gram-positive cocci & P.mirabilis, E.coli, & K.pneumoniae
Indications
- Rarely DOC for any infections
- Cefazolin = DOC for surgical prophylaxis
Cefaclor, Cefoxitin, Cefotetan, Cefamandole
- 2nd gen cephalosprins
- Extended Gram-negative coverage
- Greater activity against H.influenzae, Enterobacter aerogenes and some Neisseria species
- Weaker activity against Gram-positive organisms
Indications
- Primarily used to treat sinusitis, otitis & lower respiratory tract infections
- Cefotetan & cefoxitin = prophylaxis & therapy of abdominal and pelvic cavity infections
Ceftriaxone, Cefoperazone, Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime, Cefixime
- 3rd gen cephalosporin; most common cephalosporin
- Enhanced activity against Gram-negative cocci
- Highly active against enterobacteriacae, Neisseria, & H.influenzae
- Less active against most Gram-positive organisms
- Cefotaxime & ceftriaxone = usually active against pneumococci
Indications
- DOC for gonorrhea (parenteral)
- DOC for meningitis due to ampicillin-resistant H.influenzae
- Prophylaxis of meningitis in exposed individuals
- Treatment of Lyme disease (CNS or joint infection)
- Activity against P.aeruginosa
Cefipime
- 4th gen cephalosporins
- Parenteral admin. Only
- Wide antibacterial spectrum
- Gram +ve activity of 1st generation + Gram -ve activity of 3rd generation
- eg, enterobacter, Haemophilis, Neisseria, E.coli, pneumococci, P.mirabilis & P.aeruginosa
Indications
- Treatment of infections with susceptible organisms
- eg, UTI’s, complicated intra-abdominal infections, febrile neutropenia
Ceftaroline
- 5th gen
- Parenteral admin. only
- Activity against MRSA !
- Similar spectrum of activity to 3rd generation
Indications
- Skin and soft tissue infection due to MRSA, particularly if gram-negative pathogens are coinfecting
- **Community-acquired pneumonia (when first-line agents are unsuccessful) **
Cephalosporins - PK
- Most administered parenterally (exceptions = cephalexin, cefaclor, cefixime)
- Only 3rd generation reach adequate levels in CSF
- Mainly eliminated via kidneys (exceptions = ceftriaxone & cefoperazone excreted in bile)
Cephalosporins - Adverse
- Allergic reactions (cross-sensitivity with penicillins can occur)
- However, minor penicillin allergic patients often treated successfully with a cephalosporin
- Pain at infection site (IM), thrombophlebitis (IV)
- Superinfections (eg, C.difficile)
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Cefamandole, cefoperazone & cefotetan contain methyl-thiotetrazole group, all can cause:
- hypoprothrombinemia (Vit. K1 admin can prevent) &
- disulfiram-like reactions (avoid alcohol)
Imipenem, Meropenem
- Carbapenem
- Synthetic Beta-lactam antibiotics
- Resist hydrolysis by most beta-lactamases
- Very broad spectrum of activity
- Active against penicillinase-producing Gram-positive & negative organisms; aerobes & anaerobes; P.aeruginosa
- Not active against carbapenemase producing organisms eg, carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant klebsiella
- Not active against MRSA
Indications: use typically restricted to avoid resistance
- DOC for:
- enterobacter infections
- extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Gram -ve
Carbapenems - PK
- IV
- Imipenem forms potentially nephrotoxic metabolite when activated by renal dehydropeptidase I. Combining with enzyme inhibitor Cilastatin prevents metabolism thus prevents toxicity & increases availability.
- Meropenem is not metabolized by same enzyme (no need for Cilastatin)
Carbapenems - Adverse
- GI distress (but all antibiotics can cause diarrhea)
- High levels of imipenem can provoke seizures
- Allergic reactions (partial cross-reactivity with penicillin’s)
Aztreonam
- Monobactams
- Aerobic Gram-negative rods ONLY (including pseudomonas)
- No activity against Gram-positive bacteria or anaerobes
- Resistant to action of beta-lactamases
Indications
UTI’s, lower respiratory tract infections, septicemia, skin/structure infections, intraabdominal infections, gynecological infections caused by susceptible Gram- negative bacteria
Monobactam - PK
- Mainly IV or IM
- Can be given by inhalation in CF patients
- Penetrates CSF when inflamed
- Excreted primarily via urine
Monobactam - Adverse
- Relatively nontoxic
- Little cross-hypersensitivity with other beta-lactam antibiotics
- Occasional skin rashes / elevation of serum aminotransferases
- GI upset, vertigo, headache
- Phlebitis or thrombophlebitis reported with IV use
Vancomycin
- Bacterial glycoprotein
- Bactericidal
- Active against Gram-positive bacteria only
- Virtually all Gram-negative organisms are intrinsically resistant
- Effective against multi-drug resistant organisms (eg, MRSA, enterococci, PRSP)
MOA
- Binds to the D-Ala-D-Ala terminus of nascent peptidoglycan pentapeptide
- Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis & peptidoglycan polymerization
Resistance
- Plasmid-mediated changes in drug permeability
- Modification of the D-Ala-D-Ala binding site (D-Ala replaced by D-lactate)
Indications: reserved for drug resistant bacteria
- Treatment of serious infections caused by Beta-lactam resistant Gram +ve organisms eg, MRSA
- Treatment of Gram +ve infections in patients severely allergic to Beta-lactams
- In combination with an aminoglycoside for empirical treatment of infective endocarditis; 1st line: vancomycin + gentamycin
- In combination with an aminoglycoside for treatment of enterococcal endocarditis or PRSP
- Given orally for the treatment of staphylococcal enterocolitis or antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis (C.difficile)
Vancomycin - PK
- Poor oral absorption
- Requires slow IV infusion (60-90 min)
- Penetrates CSF when inflamed
- 90-100% excreted via kidneys
Vancomycin - Adverse
- Mostly minor eg, fever, chills, phlebitis at infusion site
- ‘Red man’ or ‘red neck’ syndrome (infusion-related flushing over face and upper torso)
- Ototoxicity (drug accumulation)
- Nephrotoxicity (drug accumulation)