L22 Cell Wall Inhibitors I Flashcards
What are the four major categories of beta-lactams?
- Penicillins
- Cephalosporins
- Monobactams
- Carbapenems
What is the common chemical structure in all beta-lactams?
4-membered ring
What is the mechanism of action of all beta-lactams?
Inhibition of cell wall synthesis by binding to and inhibiting penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located in the bacterial cell membranes
What are the three major mechanisms of resistance to beta-lactams developed by bacteria?
- Beta-lactamase enzyme production
- PBP alteration
- Decreased penetration via alteration of outer membrane porin proteins
Are beta-lactams bactericidal or bacteriostatic? Are they time-dependent or dose-dependent? Are there any exceptions?
Bactericidal; time-dependent except against Enterococcus spp.
What is the elimination half-life of beta-lactams and what are the implications of this?
<2 hours; frequent dosing (exception to half-life –> procain penicillin G, benzathine penicillin G, some cephalosporins, one carbapenem)
How are beta-lactams eliminated? What are the exceptions?
Primarily eliminated unchanged by the kidneys, except nafcillin, oxacillin, ceftriaxone, and cefoperazone
What is cross-allergenicity and is it exhibited by beta-lactams?
There is an increased likelihood of allergy to other beta-lactams if there is allergy to one beta-lactam; aztreonam is an exception.
What is the general shared structure of all penicillins?
Beta-lactam ring attached to a 5-membered thiazolidine ring
When are PBPs expressed?
Only during cell division
What specific step of cell walls synthesis is inhibited by beta-lactams?
The final transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis
Where are PBPs located?
Cell membrane
What do beta-lacatamse enzymes do?
Hydrolyze the beta-lactam ring, inactivating the antibiotic
What are the gram-positive bacteria that produce beta-lactamase enzymes?
Penicillin-resistant S. aureus
What are the gram-negative bacteria that produce beta-lactamase enzymes?
- H. influenzae
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- N. gonorrhoeae
- E. coli
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Enterobacter spp.
What are the gram-negative anaerobic bacteria that produce beta-lactamase enzymes?
Bacteroides fragilis
How does alteration in the structure of PBPs lead to resistance?
The alteration leads to decreased binding affinity by the antibiotics
What 2 bacteria alter PBP structure?
Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP)
What was the first group of penicillins to be discovered and used clinically?
Natural penicillins
From what are natural penicillins derived?
Penicillium notatum
What are 4 examples of natural penicillins and how are they administered?
- Aqueous penicillin G (IV)
- Benzathine penicillin G (IM)
- Procaine penicillin G (IM)
- Penicillin VK (oral)
Which Gram-positive bacteria are susceptible to natural penicillins?
- Penicillin-susceptible S. aureus
- Penicillin-suspectible S. pneumoniae
- Group streptococci
- Viridans streptococci
- Enterococcus spp.
- Bacillus spp.
Which Gram-negative bacteria are susceptible to natural penicillins?
- Neisseria spp.
- Pasteurella multocida
- Clostridium spp. (anaerobe)
Which other bacteria are susceptible to natural penicillins and what disease do they cause?
- Treponema pallidum - syphilis
What are 4 examples of penicillinase-resistant penicillins and how are they administered?
- Nafcillin (parenteral)
- Oxacillin (parenteral)
- Methicillin (parenteral, lab only)
- Dicloxacillin (oral)
Which Gram-positive bacteria are susceptible to penicillinase-resistant penicillins?
- Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA)
- Group streptococci
- Viridans streptococci
Why were aminopenicillins developed?
To improve activity against gram-negative aerobes
What are 2 examples of aminopenicillins and how are they administered?
- Ampicillin (parenteral, oral)
2. Amoxicillin (oral)