Inhibitors of cell wall synthesis Flashcards
What are the different classes of inhibitors?
β-Lactams, Peptides, Fosfomycin, Bacitracin
Why do cell wall synthesis inhibitors work?
Mammalian cells have no cell wall (selective toxicity) and all bacterial cells have a cell wall (gram positive or gram negative)
What is the difference between gram positive and gram negative bacteria?
Gram positive has a thick cell wall and gram negative has a thin cell wall
What is the MOA of penicilin?
The transpeptidase enzyme in the bacterium is inhibited to disrupt peptidoglycan synthesis. This causes cell wall defects and the ultimate swelling and rupturing of the bacterium
What causes bacterial resistance?
- Absence of a cell wall
- Metabolically inactive bacteria
- Altered penicillin binding proteins (pneumococci),
- Permeability barrier (e.g. Gram neg. bacteria (E.
coli) penicillin G cannot penetrate but ampicillin
can - Some bacteria lack autolysins
- Mutations can also reduce or eliminate activity
- β-lactamase production (penicillinase) →
hydrolysis of β-lactam ring → inactivation
What are the natural penicillins?
- Penicillin G (Benzylpenicillin)
- Penicillin V (Phenoxymethylpenicillin)
(Both have narrow spectrum and are β-
Lactamase sensitive)
What are the clinical uses for penicillin G (Benzylpenicillin)?
- Gram pos. cocci and anaerobes:
– Tonsillitis - Streptococcus pyogenes
– Pneumonia – Pneumococci - Gram neg. cocci:
– Meningitis - Neisseria meningitides - Gram neg. diplococci:
– Gonorrhea - Neisseria gonorrhoeae - Gram pos. rod bacteria:
– Tetanus, gangrene – Clostridium - Gram neg. rod bacteria:
– Oropharyngial infections - Bacteroides fragilis - Spiral-shaped bacteria:
– Syphilis – Treponema - Gram positive facultative anaerobes:
– Abscesses - Actinomyces - Enterococci less susceptible (add aminoglycoside)
- Prophylaxis:
– Streptococcal infections
– Prevention of rheumatic fever recurrence
– Surgical or dental procedures on patients with
valvular heart disorders - Penicillin G: initial therapy for serious infections
(infective endocarditis), syphilis (depot prep.
benzathine penicillin G)
What are the clinical uses for penicillin V (Phenoxymethylpenicillin)?
- 2 – 4 times less active than penicillin G
- Used mostly for the treatment of less serious
infections (streptococcal tonsillitis/pharyngitis)
Or - it is used as follow-up antibiotic treatment after
serious infections responded well to parenteral
treatment
What drugs are β-Lactamase resistant
penicillins?
– Methicillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, dicloxacillin (Not
available in SA)
– Cloxacillin
– Flucloxacillin
What are the uses of β-Lactamase resistant
penicillins?
- Slightly less active than penicillin G
- They are used for the treatment of mild -
lactamase positive staphylococcal infections
What are the two β-lactamase sensitive, broad spectrum penicillians (aminopenicillans)?
– Amoxicillin (amoxycillin)
– Ampicillin
What are the two extended spectrum aminopenicillans?
- β-lactamase resistant
– amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav) - Extend the spectrum
– ampicillin + cloxacillin in combination
What is the β-lactamase inhibitor?
Clavulanic Acid. It is produced by Streptomyces-moulds
What is the MOA of Clavulanic Acid?
Clavulanic acid binds covalently near or in the active site of the β-lactamase enzyme
- Most Gram neg. organisms are irreversibly inhibited by clavulanic acid
What are the clinical uses for Ampicillin?
Mostly Gram pos bacteria + H. influenza
What are the clinical uses for Amoxicillin?
– Gram pos. spectrum similar to penicillin G, ↑
activity against enterococci and Listeria
– Gram neg. spectrum: H. influenzae, E. coli,
Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella & Shigella
* Amino side-chain is hydrophilic → penetration via porins in outer membrane of Gram neg. bacteria is easier
– Drug of choice for: otitis media, sinusitis lower RTI
– Soft tissue infections
– Cholecystitis, GIT infections (incl. thyroid)
– Urinary tract infections (possibility of resistance
developing)
– Prophylaxis to prevent infective endocarditis
What drugs are used as Antipseudomonal penicillins?
Piperacillin + tazobactam (β-lactamase inhibitor)
What bacteria are antipseudomonal penicillans most effective against?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
What can be done to prolong the action of Penicillan G?
- Higher doses above the MIC
- Combine with probenecid (a uricosuric drug) (the excretion of penicillin takes place in the acid secretory system in the proximal convoluted tubule of the kidney, prebenecid (an acid) competes with this route and delays the excretion of penicillan)
- Depot formulation via intramuscular injection
* Anionic form (COO-) forms weak water-soluble
salts with compounds that contain positively
charged amino groups (procaine)
– Release of penicillin G from this depot
formulation → a longer time period
* Inflammation → ↑ Penetration into CSF and
synovial fluid
What are the limitations of penicillin G?
- Narrow spectrum antibiotic
- Acid labile
- β-lactamase sensitive
What are the side effects of penicillin G?
- Antibodies formed → hypersensitivity reactions
(skin rashes → anaphylactic shock) → 5 – 10%
occurrence - Cross-hypersensitivity between all penicillins
- Very high concentrations → administered rapidly via IV or intrathecal injections → neurotoxic effects e.g. convulsions
What are the side effects of β-Lactamase resistant antibiotics?
- As for penicillin G
- Cloxacillin not many side effects, well tolerated
- Mild GIT disturbances & hypersensitivity effects
- Neutropenia & agranulocytosis described
- Flucloxacillin → cholestatic hepatitis
What are the side effects of Extended-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics?
- Superinfections are possible especially by Candida and Clostridium difficile (Antibiotic associated colitis – especially ampicillin)
- Rashes (toxin) rather than allergic reaction
- Reduce efficacy of combined oral contraceptive
- GIT effects
- Infectious mononucleosis (amoxicillin)
What effect does Ampicillin have on the GIT?
Weak oral absorption ampicillin → more destruction of the microflora in the gastrointestinal tract (causes diarrhea)
What are the side effects of Co-amoxiclav (Augmentin®)?
- Gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting → high dosages
- Hepatitis and cholestatic jaundice → clavulanic
acid - Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid must also be used with caution during lactation → excreted in
mothers milk
What are the side effects of Piperacillin?
- Same as penicillin G
- Potential → bleeding diathesis
What caution must be taken with aminoglycosides and penicillins?
Do not combine probenicid in same infusion, syringe or IV line
What are the drug interactions of extended spectrum penicillins?
– Allopuranol (skin rash)
– Combined oral contraceptive pill
What general cautions are associated with penicillins?
- Elderly
- Neonates (extended dose intervals)
- C/I when allergic
- Flucloxacillin - porphyria
What are Cephalosporins?
Broad-spectrum semi-synthetic antibiotics
Contain a β-lactam ring → cross-hypersensitivity
reactions may occur with penicillins
What is an advantage of Cephalosporins over penicillins?
Inherent greater stability against -lactamases as
compared to the penicillins
What bacteria are resistant to all cephalosporins?
Enterococci are resistant to all cephalosporins