Other important drugs: antimicrobials

Question 1

Gram positive bacteria

Answer 1

Have thick peptidoglycan cell walls

Often cause community acquired infection

Question 2

Gram negative bacteria

Answer 2

Thin peptidoglycan layer of cell wall but has a thicker lipopolysaccharide and protein layer outside of this (which prevents Gram staining)
Often cause nosocomial infection (infection after 48h of admission)

Question 3

Beta lactams

Answer 3

Include penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems and monobactams

Question 4

Penicillins

Answer 4

Contain a beta lactam ring
Inhibit cell wall synthesis, causing lysis
Enhances effect of gentamicin
Rarely work against gram-negative bacilli as their peptidoglycan layer is thin and the beta-lactam has minimal effect on the thick protein layer

Question 5

Penicillins

Answer 5

Contain a beta lactam ring
Inhibit cell wall synthesis, causing lysis
Enhances effect of gentamicin
Rarely work against gram-negative bacilli as their peptidoglycan layer is thin and the beta-lactam has minimal effect on the thick protein layer

Question 6

Probenecid

Answer 6

Increases peak plasma concentration of penicillins (and to a lesser extent cephalosporins) by blocking renal tubular excretion