Beta Lactams & Vancomycin Flashcards
What is the structural difference of gram +ve and gram -ve bacteria?
Gram +ve: (stained blue-black)
1. Thick peptidoglycan & lipoteichoic layer
2. Lacks outer membrane
Gram -ve: (stained pink red)
1. Thin peptidoglycan layer
2. LPS in outer membrane (lipopolysaccharide)
Name the 2 broad types of cell wall synthesis inhibitors.
- Beta-lactams
- Glycopeptides - aka vancomycins
Name the 4 categories of beta lactams.
- Penicillin
- Cephalosporin/Cephamycins
- Carbapenems
- Monobactam
When should antibiotics be administered?
In presence of:
- acute, severe, rapidly spreading infection
No need in case of:
- mild, localised infection in which drainage can be established
What are β-lactam antibiotics?
β-lactam antibiotics consist of the 4-membered β-lactam ring
- fused to either 5 / 6 membered ring via single/double bond
- if fused to nothing => monobactam
MOA of beta-lactams.
TLDR: inhibits cross-linking, aka interferes w transpeptidation
- In cell, transpeptidase catalyses the cross-linking of terminal peptidoglycan proteins in linear polymer chains for cell wall synthesis
- β-lactam ring binds to active site of transpeptidase => prevents cross-linking
- Cell wall weakened => lysis when intracellular pressure increases above surrounding osmotic pressure (in actively growing cell)
Key! If bacteria is static & not actively growing, then the beta lactam doesnt rly have much to interfere w, not as effective
Name the 4 classes of Penicillins.
- Natural Penicillins
- Penicillinase resistant penicillins
- Aminopenicillins (Broad Spectrum) + BL inhibitors
- Anti Pseudomonal penicillins (extended spectrum) + BL inhibitors
NPAA
Name the 2 types of Natural Penicillins & their differences.
- Penicillin G
- low oral bioavailability
- administered parentally (IV or IM) - Penicillin V
- better oral bioavailability than G, cuz more acid stable
Limitation of Natural Penicillin.
- Only useful against bacteria that do not produce β-lactamase!! => thus, useless against most staphs
- β-lactamase/penicillinase will cleave the β-lactam ring and render the antibiotic useless - Not useful against amoebae, plasmodia, fungi or viruses
What is Natural Penicillin useful against?
Useful against β-lactamase negative strains such as:
1. Gram +ve microbes
E.g. streptococci, bacillus diphtheriae
2. Some Gram -ve microbes
E.g. meningococci, gonococci
3. Obligate anaerobes eg. Clostridum spp
Only on non β-lactamase producing bacteria
How is Natural Penicillin excreted?
Renal clearance, excreted in urine
Why is there a need for Penicillinase-resistant penicillins?
They cover penicillinase producing staphylococci, which natural penicillins are helpless against.
(Rmb the beta-lactamases that staphs produce)
How is Penicillinase-resistant penicillin cleared & excreted
Renal clearance, excreted through urine
What is the short coming of penicinillase-resistant penicillin?
Narrow cover antibiotics
- only covers gram +ve bacteria
- no coverage against gram -ves
+
Does not achieve therapeutic levels as it has limited penetration into CSF
What was the 1st gen penicillinase-resistant penicillin and its significance?
Methicillin.
Where MRSA gets its name from. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.
- MRSA are staphylococci strain that modified its transpeptidase enzymes such that they have a low affinity to the β-lactam ring
- so transpeptidase in MRSA is not easily inhibited
Why are Penicillinase-resistant penicillins more resistant to penicillinase?
Presence of bulky side chain!
- protects the beta-lactam ring from beta-lactamase
- by limiting their accessibility to the catalytic site of action
Name the commonly used penicillinase-resistant penicillins used today.
- Cloxacillin
- Oxacillin
- Flucloxacillin
- Methicillin (1st gen that is not longer used)
Why are Aminopenicillins and what is their importance?
- Broad Spectrum penicillins
- covers both gram +ve & gram -ve
- (non β-lactamase prducing) - Acid stable => available both orally & via IV
- Commonly used in many diff types of dental infections (cuz of oral admin + broad spec)
- prophylaxis against infective endocarditis
- against aggressive periodotitis
- dental abscesses
Name 2 aminopenicillins.
- Ampicillin (acid stable, available orally & IV)
- Amoxicillin (better oral absorption than ampicillin, IV)
Limitations of aminopenicillins.
Does not cover:
1. Bacteria that produce beta-lactamase
2. Pseudomonas or Klebsiella
How are aminopenicillins cleared & excreted?
Renal clearance, excreted via urine
- dose adjustment needed in pxs w renal dysfunction
Why are aminopenicillins not only effective against gram +ve bacteria, but also against gram -ve bacteria? (MOA)
- additional hydrophilic group allows penetration into gram -ve bacteria via porins
What is commonly administered w aminopenicillins?
β-lactamase inhibitors!
- addition of β-lactamase inhibitor can extend the spectrum of use to β-lactamase producing strains
E.g. Augmentin = Amoxicillin (aminopenicillin) + Clavulanic acid (β-lactamase inhibitor)
Name the most notorious hospital acquired infections.
Klebsiella & Pseudomonas
- gram -ve bacterias
Name a Anti Pseudomonal Penicillin. How is it administered?
Piperacillin. Administered only via IV
How are Anti-Pseudomonal Penicillins cleared and excreted?
Primarily renal clearance, excreted via urine.
- dose adjustment needed in px w renal dysfunction