Microbiology 2: Antimicrobials 1 Flashcards
What are some targets of antimicrobials?
- Peptidoglycan layer of cell wall
- Inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis
- DNA gyrase and other prokaryote specific enzymes
What are some antibiotic classes that inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis
beta-lactam antibiotics, glycopeptides
Give some examples of Beta lactam antibiotics
penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems
Give some examples of Glycopeptides antibiotics
vancomycin, teicoplanin
Do Beta lactam antibiotics target gram positive or gram negative bacteria?
broad spectrum
Do Glycopeptides antibiotics target gram positive or gram negative bacteria?
- Gram-positive
What is the difference between gram positive and gram negative bacteria?
- Gram-positive cell wall = thick peptidoglycan cell wall (made of NAG and NAM components)
- Gram-negative cell wall = thinner peptidoglycan cell wall, outer membrane conferring resistance to some antibiotics
- Can be more resistant and harder to treat due to outer membrane
What is beta lactam antibiotics’ mechanism of action?
-
Inactivate enzymes involved in terminal stages of cell wall synthesis = transpeptidases / penicillin binding proteins
- Beta lactam is a structural analogue of the enzyme substrate
-
Bactericidal (active against rapidly dividing bacteria) – if cell wall has already been formed, they have no effect
- Ineffective against bacteria lacking peptidoglycan cell walls (mycoplasma, chlamydia)
- Cause cell lysis
What type (gram positive or gram negative) of bacteria does penicillin target? Give some examples
- gram +ve,
- streptococci, clostridia
What is penicillin broken down by?
- beta-lactamase
- produced by S. aureus (SA) and many other gram -ve organisms
What type (gram positive or gram negative) of bacteria does amoxicillin target? Give some examples
- broad-spectrum
- (enterococci to gram -ve)
What is amoxicillin broken down by?
- beta-lactamase
- produced by S. aureus (SA) and many other gram -ve organisms
What type (gram positive or gram negative) of bacteria does flucloxacillin target? Give some examples
- gram negative, ONLY S. aureus
What is flucloxacillin broken down by?
- Not broken down by beta-lactamase produced by SA
- used to treat SA infections (S. aureus)
Compare flucloxacillin and penicillin
- Similar to penicillin, less reactive
What type (gram positive or gram negative) of bacteria does Piperacillin target? Give some examples
- broad-spectrum
- (pseudomonas, non-enteric gram -ve)
What is Piperacillin broken down by?
- Broken down by beta lactamase
- (produced by SA and many other gram -ve organisms)
Which antibiotic is Piperacillin similar to?
amoxicillin
What is the antibiotic name for Clavulanic acid
Co-amoxiclav
What is the antibiotic name for tazobactam?
Tazocin / Piptazobactam
What is clavulanic acid and how does it work?
beta lactamase inhibitors –> protect penicillin from enzymatic breakdown
What is the point of combining Clavulanic acid (Co-amoxiclav) and tazobactam (Tazocin / Piptazobactam)?
- Inhibit beta lactamase from being broken down by bacteria (protect penicillins from breaking down)
- Increase coverage to include SA, gram -ve (i.e. E. coli), anaerobes
Which organisms are resistant to cephalosporins? What should be used instead
ESBL producing organisms resistant to cephalosporins –> use carbapenems
Give some examples of cephalosporins antibiotics
- Cefuroxime
- Ceftriaxone
- Ceftazidime
What is Cefuroxime broken down by?
- Stable to many beta lactamases made by gram -ve
Compare co-amox and Cefuroxime
- Similar cover to co-amox (less active against anaerobes)
- if anaerobes suspected, add metronidozole to cefuroxime
What is ceftriaxone associated with?
- C. difficile
What is ceftriaxone used to treat?
- Treat meningitis (IM ceftriaxone)
Which organism does ceftriaxone NOT cover against?
- NO COVER against Pseudomonas
Which organisms does ceftazidime provide cover against?
- Activity against pseudomonas (HAIs often)
What is the advantage of using Ceftazidime over Ceftriaxone?
- Ceftazidime = activity against pseudomonas (HAIs often)
- Ceftriaxone = no activity against pseudomonas
Which type of patients is Cefotaxime used to treat?
- Cefotaxime = the paediatric ceftriaxone
Are ESBL producing organisms resistant to carbapenems?
ESBL producing organisms NOT resistant to carbapenems
Give some examples of carbapenem antibiotics
- Meropenem, imipenem, ertapenem
Why do MDR organisms pose a threat to carbapenem use?
production of carbapenemase enzymes becoming more widespread
Which bacterial species are becoming more multi-drug resistant (MDR)?
Acinetobacter and klebsiella species
Give an example of a Monobactam antibiotic
- Carumonam
What are the key features of beta lactam antibiotics?
- Relatively non-toxic
- Renally excreted so decrease dose if renal impairment
- Short T1/2 (many are type 2 drugs so aim to maximise the time > MIC)
- Will not cross BBB
- Cross allergenic – penicillin has 10% cross reactivity with cephalosporins and carbapenems
Do Glycopeptides antibiotics target gram positive or gram negative bacteria?
gram +
What is the mechanism of action for glycopeptide antibiotics?
inhibit cell wall synthesis (hence target gram +tive)
Why are glycopeptide antibiotics unable to target gram -tive bacteria?
- Large molecules so unable to penetrate gram -ve
What are the important uses of glycopeptide antibiotics?
- MRSA infections (IV)
- C. difficile infection (oral – Vancomycin, teicoplanin)
What is the major complication/risk of using glycopeptide antibiotics?
- Nephrotoxic – must monitor for accumulation
Which antibiotic classes are inhibitors of Protein Synthesis?
- Aminoglycosides
- Tetracyclines
- Macrolides
- Chloramphenicol
- Oxazolidinones
Give some examples of Aminoglycoside antibiotics
gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin