Microbiology Flashcards
What are Penicillin G and V?
Penicillin G (IV and IM form), penicillin V (oral). Prototype β-lactam antibiotics.
What is the mechanism of Penicillin G and V?
▪ Bind penicillin-binding proteins (transpeptidases).
▪ Block transpeptidase cross-linking of peptidoglycan.
▪ Activate autolytic enzymes.
What are the clinical uses of Penicillin G and V?
Mostly used for gram-positive organisms (S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, Actinomyces). Also used for N. meningitidis and T. pallidum. Bactericidal for gram-positive cocci, gram-positive rods, gram-negative cocci, and spirochetes. Penicillinase sensitive.
What are the toxicities of Penicillin G and V?
Hypersensitivity reactions, hemolytic anemia.
What are the resistances of Penicillin G and V?
Penicillinase in bacteria (a type of β-lactamase) cleaves β-lactam ring.
What is the mechanism of Ampicillin and amoxicillin (aminopenicillins, penicillinase-sensitive penicillins)?
Same as penicillin. Wider spectrum; penicillinase sensitive. Also combine with clavulanic acid to protect against β-lactamase.
What are the clinical uses of Ampicillin and amoxicillin (aminopenicillins, penicillinase-sensitive penicillins)?
Extended-spectrum penicillin—Haemophilus influenzae, E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella, Shigella, enterococci. (HELPSS kill enterococci)
What are the toxicities of Ampicillin and amoxicillin (aminopenicillins, penicillinase-sensitive penicillins)?
Hypersensitivity reactions; rash; pseudomembranous colitis.
What is the mechanism of resistance of Ampicillin and amoxicillin (aminopenicillins, penicillinase-sensitive penicillins)?
Penicillinase in bacteria (a type of β-lactamase) cleaves β-lactam ring.
What is a major difference between Ampicillin and amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin has greater Oral bioavailability
than ampicillin.
What is the mechanism of Oxacillin, nafcillin, and dicloxacillin (penicillinase-resistant penicillins)?
Same as penicillin. Narrow spectrum; penicillinase resistant because bulky R group blocks access of β-lactamase to β-lactam ring.
What is the clinical use of Oxacillin, nafcillin, and dicloxacillin (penicillinase-resistant penicillins)?
S. aureus (except MRSA; resistant because of altered penicillin-binding protein target site).
What is the toxicity of Oxacillin, nafcillin, and dicloxacillin (penicillinase-resistant penicillins)?
Hypersensitivity reactions, interstitial nephritis.
Ticarcillin,
What is the mechanism of Ticarcillin and piperacillin (antipseudomonals)?
Same as penicillin. Extended spectrum.
What is the clinical use of Ticarcillin and piperacillin (antipseudomonals)?
Pseudomonas spp. and gram-negative rods; susceptible to penicillinase; use with β-lactamase inhibitors.
What is the toxicity of Ticarcillin and piperacillin (antipseudomonals)?
Hypersensitivity reactions
What are the β-lactamase inhibitors?
CAST - Include Clavulanic Acid, Sulbactam, Tazobactam. Often added to penicillin antibiotics to protect the antibiotic from destruction by β-lactamase (penicillinase).
What is the mechanism of Cephalosporins (generations I, II, III, IV, V)?
β-lactam drugs that inhibit cell wall synthesis but are less susceptible to penicillinases. Bactericidal.
What organism are not covered by Cephalosporins?
LAME: Listeria, Atypicals (Chlamydia, Mycoplasma), MRSA, and Enterococci. Exception: ceftaroline covers MRSA.
What is the clinical use of 1st generation Cephalosporins (cefazolin, cephalexin)?
1st generation—PEcK.
Gram-positive cocci, Proteus mirabilis, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae. Cefazolin used prior to surgery to prevent S. aureus wound infections.
What is the clinical use of 2nd generation Cephalosporins (cefoxitin, cefaclor, cefuroxime)?
2nd generation—HEN PEcKS. 2nd generation (cefoxitin, cefaclor, cefuroxime)—gram-positive cocci, Haemophilus influenzae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Neisseria spp., Proteus mirabilis, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens.
What is the clinical use of 3rd generation Cephalosporins (ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ceftazidime)?
Serious gram-negative infections resistant to other β-lactams.
Ceftriaxone—meningitis and gonorrhea.
Ceftazidime—Pseudomonas.
What is the clinical use of 4th generation Cephalosporins (cefepime)?
↑ activity against Pseudomonas and gram-positive organisms.
What is the clinical use of 5th generation Cephalosporins (ceftaroline)?
Broad gram-positive and gram-negative organism coverage, including MRSA; does not cover Pseudomonas.
What are the toxicities of Cephalosporins?
Hypersensitivity reactions, vitamin K deficiency. Low cross-reactivity with penicillins. ↑ nephrotoxicity of aminoglycosides.
What is the mechanism of Aztreonam?
A monobactam; resistant to β-lactamases. Prevents peptidoglycan cross-linking by binding to penicillin-binding protein 3. Synergistic with aminoglycosides. No cross-allergenicity with penicillins.
What are the clinical uses of Aztreonam?
Gram-negative rods only—no activity against gram-positives or anaerobes. For penicillin-allergic patients and those with renal insufficiency who cannot tolerate aminoglycosides.
What are the toxicities of Aztreonam?
Usually nontoxic; occasional GI upset.
What are the Carbapenems?
Imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem (new; limited Pseudomonas coverage), doripenem (new).
What is the mechanism of Carbapenems?
Imipenem is a broad-spectrum, β-lactamase–resistant carbapenem. Always administered with cilastatin (inhibitor of renal dehydropeptidase I) to ↓ inactivation of drug in renal tubules.
What is the clinical use of Carbapenems?
Gram-positive cocci, gram-negative rods, and anaerobes. Wide spectrum, but significant side effects limit use to life-threatening infections or after other drugs have failed. Meropenem has a ↓ risk of seizures and is stable to dehydropeptidase I.
What are the toxicities of Carbapenems?
GI distress, skin rash, and CNS toxicity (seizures) at high plasma levels.
What is the mechanism of Vancomycin?
Inhibits cell wall peptidoglycan formation by binding D-ala D-ala portion of cell wall precursors. Bactericidal.
What are the clinical uses of Vancomycin?
Gram positive only—serious, multidrug-resistant organisms, including MRSA, enterococci, and Clostridium difficile (oral dose for pseudomembranous colitis).
What are the toxicities of Vancomycin?
Well tolerated in general—but NOT trouble free. Nephrotoxicity, Ototoxicity, Thrombophlebitis, diffuse flushing—red man syndrome (can largely prevent by pretreatment with antihistamines and slow infusion rate).
What is the mechanism of resistance of Vancomycin?
Occurs in bacteria via amino acid modification of D-ala D-ala to D-ala D-lac.
How do the protein synthesis inhibitors work?
Specifically target smaller bacterial ribosome (70S, made of 30S and 50S subunits), leaving human ribosome (80S) unaffected.
What are the 30S inhibitors?
A = Aminoglycosides [bactericidal] T = Tetracyclines [bacteriostatic]
What are the 50S inhibitors?
C = Chloramphenicol, Clindamycin [bacteriostatic] E = Erythromycin (macrolides) [bacteriostatic] L = Linezolid [variable]
What is the mechanism of Linezolid (50S inhibitor)?
Prevents formation of initiation complex
What are the Aminoglycosides?
GNATS - Gentamicin, Neomycin, Amikacin, Tobramycin, Streptomycin.
What is the mechanism of Aminoglycosides?
Bactericidal; inhibit formation of initiation complex and cause misreading of mRNA. Also block translocation. Require O2 for uptake; therefore ineffective against anaerobes.
What are the clinical uses of Aminoglycosides?
Severe gram-negative rod infections. Synergistic with β-lactam antibiotics.
Neomycin for bowel surgery.
What are the toxicities of Aminoglycosides?
Nephrotoxicity (especially when used with cephalosporins), Neuromuscular blockade, Ototoxicity (especially when used with loop diuretics). Teratogen.
What is the mechanism of resistance of Aminoglycosides?
Bacterial transferase enzymes inactivate the drug by acetylation, phosphorylation, or adenylation.
What are the Tetracyclines?
Tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline
What is the mechanism of Tetracyclines?
Bacteriostatic; bind to 30S and prevent attachment of aminoacyl-tRNA; limited CNS penetration. Doxycycline is fecally eliminated and can be used in patients with renal failure. Do not take with milk (Ca2+), antacids (Ca2+ or Mg2+), or iron-containing preparations because divalent cations inhibit its absorption in the gut.
What are the clinical uses of Tetracyclines?
Borrelia burgdorferi, M. pneumoniae. Drug’s ability to accumulate intracellularly makes it very effective against Rickettsia and Chlamydia. Also used to treat acne.
What are the toxicities of Tetracyclines?
GI distress, discoloration of teeth and inhibition of bone growth in children, photosensitivity. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
What is the mechanism of resistance of Tetracyclines?
↓ uptake or ↑ efflux out of bacterial cells by plasmid-encoded transport pumps.
What are the Macrolides?
Azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin
What is the mechanism of Macrolides?
Inhibit protein synthesis by blocking translocation (“macroslides”); bind to the 23S rRNA of the 50S ribosomal subunit. Bacteriostatic.
What are the clinical uses of Macrolides?
Atypical pneumonias (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Legionella), STDs (for Chlamydia), and gram-positive cocci (streptococcal infections in patients allergic to penicillin).
What are the toxicities of Macrolides?
MACRO: Gastrointestinal Motility issues, Arrhythmia caused by prolonged QT, acute Cholestatic hepatitis, Rash, eOsinophilia. Increases serum concentration of theophyllines, oral anticoagulants.
What are is the mechanism of resistance of Macrolides?
Methylation of 23S rRNA-binding site prevents binding of drug.
What is the mechanism of Chloramphenicol?
Blocks peptidyltransferase at 50S ribosomal subunit. Bacteriostatic.
What are the clinical uses of Chloramphenicol?
Meningitis (Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae) and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii).
Limited use owing to toxicities but often still used in developing countries because of low cost.
What are the toxicities of Chloramphenicol?
Anemia (dose dependent), aplastic anemia (dose independent), gray baby syndrome (in premature infants because they lack liver UDP-glucuronyl transferase).
What are is the mechanism of resistance of Chloramphenicol?
Plasmid-encoded acetyltransferase inactivates the drug.
What is the mechanism of Clindamycin?
Blocks peptide transfer (translocation) at 50S ribosomal subunit. Bacteriostatic.
What are the clinical uses of Clindamycin?
Anaerobic infections (e.g., Bacteroides spp., Clostridium perfringens) in aspiration pneumonia, lung abscesses, and oral infections. Also effective against invasive Group A streptococcal (GAS) infection.
What are the toxicities of Clindamycin?
Pseudomembranous colitis (C. difficile overgrowth), fever, diarrhea.
What is one major difference between Clindamycin and Metronidazole?
Clindamycin treats anaerobes above the diaphragm vs. metronidazole (anaerobic infections below diaphragm).
What are the Sulfonamides?
Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfisoxazole, sulfadiazine
What is the mechanism of Sulfonamides?
Inhibit folate synthesis. Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) antimetabolites inhibit dihydropteroate synthase. Bacteriostatic.
What are the clinical uses of Sulfonamides?
Gram-positive, gram-negative, Nocardia, Chlamydia. Triple sulfas or SMX for simple UTI.
What are the toxicities of Sulfonamides?
Hypersensitivity reactions, hemolysis if G6PD deficient, nephrotoxicity (tubulointerstitial nephritis), photosensitivity, kernicterus in infants, displace other drugs from albumin (e.g., warfarin).
What is the mechanism of resistance of Sulfonamides?
Altered enzyme (bacterial dihydropteroate synthase), ↓ uptake, or ↑ PABA synthesis.
What is the mechanism of Trimethoprim?
Inhibits bacterial dihydrofolate reductase. Bacteriostatic.
What are the clinical uses of Trimethoprim?
Used in combination with sulfonamides (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole [TMPSMX]), causing sequential block of folate synthesis. Combination used for UTIs, Shigella, Salmonella, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia treatment and prophylaxis, toxoplasmosis prophylaxis.
What are the toxicities of Trimethoprim?
Megaloblastic anemia, leukopenia, granulocytopenia. (May alleviate with supplemental folinic acid).
What are the Fluoroquinolones?
Ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, sparfloxacin, moxifloxacin, gemifloxacin, enoxacin (fluoroquinolones), nalidixic acid (a quinolone).
What is the mechanism of Fluoroquinolones?
Inhibit DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) and topoisomerase IV. Bactericidal. Must not be taken with antacids.
What are the clinical uses of Fluoroquinolones?
Gram-negative rods of urinary and GI tracts (including Pseudomonas), Neisseria, some gram-positive organisms.
What are the toxicities of Fluoroquinolones?
GI upset, superinfections, skin rashes, headache, dizziness. Less commonly, can cause tendonitis, tendon rupture, leg cramps, and myalgias. Contraindicated in pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under 18 years old due to possible damage to cartilage. Some may cause prolonged QT interval. May cause tendon rupture in people > 60 years old and in patients taking prednisone.
What is the mechanism of resistance of Fluoroquinolones?
Chromosome-encoded mutation in DNA gyrase, plasmid-mediated resistance, efflux pumps.
What is the mechanism of Metronidazole?
Forms free radical toxic metabolites in the bacterial cell that damage DNA. Bactericidal, antiprotozoal.
What are the clinical uses of Metronidazole?
Treats Giardia, Entamoeba, Trichomonas, Gardnerella vaginalis, Anaerobes (Bacteroides, C. difficile). Used with a proton pump inhibitor and clarithromycin for “triple therapy” against H. Pylori.
What are the toxicities of Metronidazole?
Disulfiram-like reaction (severe flushing, tachycardia, hypotension) with alcohol; headache, metallic taste.
What Antimycobacterial drug is used for M. tuberculosis prophylaxis?
Isoniazid
What Antimycobacterial drug is used to treat M. tuberculosis?
Rifampin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol (RIPE for treatment)
What Antimycobacterial drug is used for M. avium–intracellulare prophylaxis?
Azithromycin, rifabutin
What Antimycobacterial drug is used to treat M. avium–intracellulare?
More drug resistant than M. tuberculosis. Azithromycin or clarithromycin + ethambutol. Can add rifabutin or ciprofloxacin.
What Antimycobacterial drug is used for M. leprae prophylaxis?
N/A
What Antimycobacterial drug is used to treat M. leprae?
Long-term treatment with dapsone and rifampin for tuberculoid form. Add clofazimine for lepromatous form.
What is the mechanism of Isoniazid (INH)?
↓ synthesis of mycolic acids. Bacterial catalaseperoxidase (encoded by KatG) needed to convert INH to active metabolite.