MECHANISMS OF ACTION OF MAJOR ANTIBIOTIC CLASSES

Question 1

Bacteriostatic

Answer 1

prevention of growth and multiplication of cells

Question 2

bactericidal

Answer 2

cell death

Question 3

what do beta-lactams bind to, causing cell death?

Answer 3

penicillin-binding proteins
*inactivate cell wall synthesis

Question 4

what do glycopeptides bind to that inhibits cell wall synthesis?

Answer 4

peptidoglycan precursor of GP orgs
*used for MRSA and C. diff infections

Question 5

how do aminoglycosides cause cell death?

Answer 5

by binding to bacterial RNA which prevents protein synthesis in GN aerobes and facultative anaerobes

Question 6

how do tetracyclines and macrolides function to prevent growth and multiplication?

Answer 6

inhibit protein synthesis of GP orgs
-bacteriostatic agents in moderate infections and those allergic to beta-lactams

Question 7

how do sulfonamides prevent cell growth?

Answer 7

bind to dihydropteroate synthase, inhibits folate synthesis
*UTI and enteric pathogens

Question 8

how do quinolones inhibit bacterial replication?

Answer 8

by targeting enzymes required for DNA synthesis
-genitourinary infections
-nosocomial infections