Infectious diseases: Pharmacology - Principles of antimicrobial action

Question 1

6 mechanisms of antimicrobial action

Answer 1

1. Lyse cell membrane
2. Inactivate microbe
3. Inhibit cell wall synthesis
4. Inhibit microbial ribosome
5. Inhibit enzymes required for nucleoside/DNA synthesis
6. Inhibit machinery of viral replication

Question 2

Bacteriostatic vs bactericidal activity

Answer 2

Bacteriostatic: stops or slows bacterial growth, requires immune system to finish off microbes
Bactericidal: causes bacterial death

Question 3

Mechanisms of resistance

Answer 3

1. Decreased penetration of antibiotic (e.g. biofilm)
2. Increased efflux (via pumps)
3. Alter site of action
4. Develop enzyme to break down antibiotic