Microbiology 2 - Antimicrobial agents 1 Flashcards
Examples of selective targets for antibiotics
Peptidoglycan layer of cell wall
Inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis
Inhibition of DNA gyrase and other prokaryote specific enzymes
What is the broad mechanism of action of beta lactams?
Inhibition of cell wall synthesis
What is the broad mechanism of action of glycopeptide antibiotics?
Inhibition of cell wall synthesis
What 3 groups of antibiotics are classified as beta lactams?
Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Carbapenems
Name 2 glycopeptide antibiotics
Vancomycin
Teicoplanin
Describe the mechanism of action of beta lactams
Inhibits transpeptidase, which is an enzyme that forms cross links during the formation of the cell wall.
The resulting cell wall is therefore weak, and so the bacteria lyse because of osmotic pressure.
*They are effective against rapidly dividing bacteria - not useful if the cell wall has already been formed*
How does the cell wall of gram pos and gram neg bacteria differ?
Gram pos: thick peptidoglycan layer, no outer membrane
Gram neg: thin peptidoglycan layer, has an outer membrane
*Gram pos stain purple, gram neg stain pink*
What bacteria is penicillin active against?
Gram pos
What bacteria is amoxicillin active against?
Broad spectrum: gram pos and many gram neg
*Broken down by beta lactamase produced by S. aureus and other microorganisms*
Which beta lactam antibiotic is effective against pseudomonas?
Piperacillin
*Broken down by beta lactamase*
How can beta lactam resistance be overcome?
Include a beta lactamase inhibitor
Eg. Clavulanic acid + amoxicllin (in co-amoxiclav)
Eg. Tazobactam
Alternatively, create antibiotics that are stable to beta lactamase eg. flucloxacillin
Recall an antibiotic that is associated with C. difficile
Ceftriaxone (cephalosporin)
Examples of cephalosporins
Cefalexin (1st generation)
Cefuroxime (2nd generation)
Ceftriaxone (3rd generation)
Ceftazidime (3rd generation)
Cefotaxime (3rd generation, paediatric cefotriaxone)
*As cephalosporins progressed from 1st to 3rd generation, they became more effective against gram negative and less effective against gram positive*
What limits the use of cephalosporins?
Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms are resistant to cephalosporins
Which beta lactam antibiotics are stable to ESBL organisms?
Carbapenems
*However, carbapenemase enzyme producing organisms are becoming more prevalent*
Recall the key features of beta lactams
Relatively non-toxic
Renally excreted so decrease dose if renal impairment
Short T1/2 (many are type 2/time-dependent drugs so aim to maximise the time where concentration > MIC)
Will not cross BBB
Cross allergenic – penicillin has 10% cross reactivity with cephalosporins and carbapenems
What type of bacteria are glycopeptides effective against?
Gram pos only - they are large molecules so can’t penetrate gram neg cell wall
What are glycopeptides particularly useful for?
MRSA infection
What is a caution of glycopeptide antibiotics?
They are nephrotoxic
Recall the broad mechanism of action of glycopeptide antibiotics
Prevent peptide cross links in cell wall
Recall the broad mechanism of action of aminoglycosides
Bind to 30s ribosomal subunit, preventing elongation of polypeptide chain
*This doesn’t explain their rapid bactericidal activity - full mechanism is unknown*
Recall 2 examples of aminoglycoside antibiotics
gentamicin
amikacin
What type of bacteria are aminoglycoside antibiotics effective against?
Gram neg
Aerobes (no activity against anaerobes)
Recall 2 toxicities of aminoglycosides
Ototoxicity
Nephrotoxicity
What type of bacteria are macrolides effective against?
Gram pos
What are macrolides particularly useful for?
Mild staph or strep infections in patients who are allergic to penicillin
Recall 2 macrolide antibiotics
Azithromycin
Clarithromycin
What type of bacteria are tetracylines effective against?
They are broad spectrum