Principles of Antimicrobial Use Flashcards
define empiric therapy
therapy based on knowledge of the antimicrobial spectrum
define broad spectrum
targeting a wide range of bacterial organisms
define narrow spectrum
targeted to more specific classes of bacteria
- less impact on normal flora
define bactericidal
killing of organisms
define bacteriostatic
preventing further growth
define bacterial resistance
untreatable infections that require the use of toxic drugs
what activity or structure is always a potential target?
anything that is different from the host organism
list 2 beta-lactam drug classes
- penicillin
- cephalosporins
describe alexander fleming’s contribution
in 1928 discovered the inhibition of Staph. Aureus on agar plates of penicillium
what are the 2 wall synthesis inhibitors?
- beta-lactams
- Glycopeptides
beta-lactams are a broad spectrum drug that are primarily effective against
gram + bacteria
what is a characteristic of beta-lactams?
they are bactericidal
beta-lactams have poor entry into the CNS therefore they are
actively transported out
what is the most common adverse reaction to beta-lactams?
hypersensitivity
how do bacteria become resistant to beta-lactams?
they synthesize beta-lactamases or penicillinases
what is the MOA of beta-lactams?
to inhibit the crosslinking of peptidoglycan strands
- peptidoglycan is a chief component for cell wall synthesis
penicillin’s are not active against what type of organisms?
those that lack a peptidoglycan cell wall
list examples of organisms that are resistant to penicillin
- mycobacteria
- protozoa
- fungi
- viruses
explain the concept of using beta-lactamase inhibitors in combination with other beta-lactam antibiotics
amoxicillin is not resistant to beta-lactamases so its combined with beta-lactamase inhibitors to increase their therapeutic value
list an example of a beta-lactam antibiotic that is used in combination with a beta-lactamase inhibitor
augmentin
amoxicillin + clavulanic acid
calvulanic acid is a
beta-lactamase inhibitor
explain why penicillin has such a poor oral absorption
due to ion trapping and stomach acidity
as much as 60% of penicillin that is absorbed is bound to
plasma proteins
beta-lactam drugs differ by what 3 characteristics?
- organisms inhibited
- pharmacokinetics
- bacterial resistance of certain organisms to different drugs