Protein Synthesis Inhibitors

Question 1

How does the bacterial (prokaryotic) ribosome differ from the human (eukaryotic) ribosome?

Answer 1

Bacterial subunits 50s and 30s; human 60s/40s.

Question 2

How does protein synthesis differ for bacteria versus humans?

Answer 2

Our DNA is enclosed in the nucleus; bacterial DNA is free-floating in the cytoplasm, and transcription takes place there with no barrier/enclosure. For humans, mRNA is made in the nucleus and must be transported out into the cytoplasm for DNA construction.

Question 3

Name 3 macrolides.

Answer 3

Azithromycin (Zithromax)
Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Erythromycin

Question 4

What is the MOA of macrolides?

Answer 4

Bind to the 50s ribosomal subunit and block peptide chain elongation

Question 5

Macrolides are bacteri______ making them not suitable for what population?

Answer 5

ostatic; immunocompromised patients

Question 6

Macrolides are useful for: (3)

Answer 6

Broad coverage of upper and lower respiratory infectious pathogens EXCEPT increased resistance with: Strep pneumoniae, Strep pyogenes, Haemophilus, Moraxella
Atypical including legionella, chlamydia, mycoplasma, mycobacteria (resistant to beta-lactams)
Alternative to beta-lactam with IgE-mediated allergy

Question 7

Macrolides are NOT useful for what respiratory pathogens? (4)

Answer 7

Strep pneumoniae, strep pyogenes, haemophilus, moraxella which have increased resistance

Question 8

What atypical bacteria are macrolides indicated for? (4)

Answer 8

Legionella, chlamydia, mycoplasma, mycobacteria