Treatment of infection: Part 1 Flashcards
What is a bacteria?
Single cell microorganism
How does the bacterial cell differ from that of a human? (3)
- Rigid cell membrane
- Different ribosomes
- Different nucleic acid metabolism
What does having a rigid cell membrane cause?
Increased osmotic pressure
What are the general characteristics of antibacterial drugs? (3)
- Inhibit cell wall synthesis and function
- Inhibit protein synthesis
- Inhibit DNA/RNA synthesis and function
Why is a bacterial cel wall more rigid than a human?
It contains peptidoglycans
What are the 2 things antibacterial drugs do to the cell wall?
1) Inhibit cell wall synthesis
2) create a hole in the lipid bilayer
What are the 3 common examples of antibacterial drugs?
1) penicillin
2) cephalosporins
3) polymixin B
What do penicillin and cephalosporins do?
Inhibit production of cell wall materials which leads to break down and cell death
What does polymixin B do?
Punch a hole in the cell wall which leads to cell death
True/False:
Bacterial ribosomes slightly differ from human ribosomes
True
What do certain antibacterials do at to the ribosome of the cell?
Bind to the ribosome and inhibit protein synthesis; if the cell can’t recycle proteins it will die
Common examples of antibacterial drugs that do this? (3)
- tetracylines
- erythromycin
- aminoglycosides
How do antibacterial drugs inhibit protein synthesis?
Impair mRNA to create new message which can’t create protein
How do antibacterial drugs inhibit DNA/RNA function?
decrease synthesis by inhibiting folic acid production OR directly inhibit DNA/RNA synthesis and function
What does a drug that is bactericidal mean?
A drug that kills the bacteria
What does a drug that is bacteriostatic mean?
A drug that slows down the metabolism of the bacteria so that the immune system can finish it off
What is a broad spectrum antibacterial drug?
effective against many forms of bacteria
What is a narrow spectrum antibacterial drug?
Targeted against certain or specific bacteria
What does resistance mean?
A bacteria that has developed a natural defense against drugs
What are the common resistant strain? (4)
- VRSA: vanomycin-resistant S. aureus
- MRSA: methicillin-resistant S. aureus
- VRE: vanomycin-resistant Enterococcus
- PRSP: penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae
What are the common mechanisms to treat/prevent resistant strains of bacteria? (5)
- develop drug-destroying enzymes
- alter or mask drug binding site
- change enzymes targeted drugs
- decrease drug penetration
- develop drug efflux pumps
What is antibacterial “stewardship”?
To avoid overuse, esp. with broad spectrum drugs, use narrow spectrum drugs when possible
What is another treatment for the prevention of bacterial resistance?
Provide a 2nd drug to overcome resistance
What are the rehab concerns while taking antibacterial drugs? (4)
- Hypersensitivity/allergic rxns
- UV sensitivity
- Help prevent spread of infection
- tendon damage (fluoroquinolones) big concern
Which tendons are the most commonly damaged?
Often large, weight bearing tendons but can be others as well
True/False:
This can be severe enough to lead to complete rupture of the tendon
True
What are the other factors that increase risk? (4)
- older patients
- renal failure
- taking glucocorticoids
- hx of damage
What is one possible cause of tendon damage?
oxidative damage at the cellular level
True/False:
The onset of tendon damage can be as quick as 2 hrs
true
What are the 2 treatments of tendon damage that occurs because of drugs?
1) decrease the amount of drugs ingested
2) protect the tendon
How does a virus reproduce?
It infects a host cell and manufactures more virus DNA using that host cell. The infectd host may or may not die when the virus is done replicating
What are the 4 steps in viral replication?
1) Adsorption
2) Penetration/uncoating
3) Biosynthesis
4) maturation and release
Are virus’ opportunistic?
oh fuck yes
True/False:
Antiviral drugs are very specific and often act on only one type of virus
True
What do Antiviral drugs typically inhibit?
viral enzymes
Are antiviral drugs usually virucidal or virustatic?
Virustatic
What is the main antiviral mechanism?
The drug slows down viral replication so it doesn’t infect other cells
What are interferons?
Small proteins, produced endogenously
What are the important functions of interferons?
- control cell division/differentiation
- control immune response
- warn healthy cells that a virus is cumming
How are antiviral vaccines made?
Typically made from “modified” virus
When is an antiviral typically administered?
prior to virus exposure
What does the antiviral vaccine do to the immune system?
Stimulates the immune system to produce virus-specific antibodies
