Chapter 10 Videos Flashcards
Define Chemotherapeutic agents.
Drugs that act against diseases
Define Antimicrobial agents.
Drugs that treat infections
Define Antibiotics
Antimicrobial agents produced naturally by organisms.
Define Semisynthetics.
Chemically altered antibiotics that are more effective, longer lasting, or easier to administer than naturally occurring ones
Define Synthetics.
Antimicrobials that are completely synthesized in a lab
What makes a successful chemotherapy?
Successful chemotherapy requires selective toxicity
* must be more toxic to a pathogen than to the pathogen’s host
Define selective toxicity.
must be more toxic to a pathogen than to the pathogen’s host
How can selective toxicity be achieved during the design of an antimicrobial drug?
Differences in structure or metabolism between the pathogen and its host
Antibacterial drugs constitute the largest number and diversity of antimicrobial agents. Why?
The differences between the host and the pathogen allow for more chances for selective toxicity.
Fewer drugs to treat eukaryotic infections. Why?
There are few differences between eukaryotic cells, making it more difficult for selective toxicity.
Antiviral drugs are limited. Why?
Viruses take everything from the host to replicate.
Define Spectrum of Action.
Number of different pathogens a drug acts against
Define Narrow-spectrum and Broad-spectrum
- Narrow-spectrum: effective against few organisms
- Broad-spectrum: effective against many organisms
Disadvantages of Broad- spectrum drugs.
- May allow for secondary or superinfections to develop
- Killing of normal flora reduces microbial antagonism
(Causes competition between normal microbes and pathogens for nutrients and space.)
What microbial antagonism?
Competition between normal microbes and pathogens for nutrients and space.
How is antimicrobial effectiveness measured?
- Efficacy of antimicrobials assessed by a variety of tests
A) Diffusion susceptibility test
Example: Kirby-Bauer test
B.) Minimum inhibitory concentration test (MIC)
* Attempt to quantify the smallest amount of a drug that will inhibit the growth and reproduction of the pathogen
Can be determined by:
* Broth dilution test
* Etest