Unit 8 Flashcards
What are antimicrobials
Chemicals that inhibit the growth or kill microorganisms
What are the terms antimicrobials are the umbrella term for? What are each specific to?
Antibiotics: specific to bacteria
Antivirals: specific to viruses
Antifungals: specific to fungi
Describe the 5 mechanisms of action antibiotics take on bacteria cells
Acting on or altering: Cell wall Cell membrane Ribosomes Metabolic enzymes DNA replication
Describe how drugs may affect cell wall synthesis in a gram positive cell
Gram positive cells have a rigid cell wall to prevent lysis, certain antibiotics block proper cell wall synthesis to make them more susceptible to lysis
True or false
Drugs that affect cell wall synthesis only work on cells that are in the process of growing
True
Describe how beta-lactam antibiotics work
Drug class that affect cell wall synthesis
Includes; penicillins and cephalosporins
These drugs contain a beta lactam ring that binds to and blocks the enzyme transpeptidase from working (this enzyme produces peptide cross links between the peptidoglycan layers)
results in a weak cell wall
Describe how beta-lactam antibiotic resistance works
An enzyme found on plasmids; beta-lactamase, is the main mechanism of resistance to beta lactam drugs
This enzyme cleaves the beta-lactam ring so the drug can no longer bind to transpeptidase
The gene for this enzyme on plasmids is Very easily spread to progeny and other bacteria
Describe what happens to the cell membrane when certain drugs insert into the plasma membrane
The drug acts like a detergent and disrupts lipid layers of the cell membrane
It creates openings/pores that allow cytoplasms too leak out
Increases the ability of other drugs to enter the cells
These drugs kill the bacteria
Ex. Ploymixins, amnioglycosides
Describe the ways certain drugs block ribosome function
Blocking protein synthesis by;
1) binding to the ribosome and blocking its function
2) binding to the tRNA so amino acids cannot be transported to the ribosome
Bacteria will either stop growing or die
Classes of drugs: aminoglycosides, macrolides, lincosamides, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, florfenicol
What is aminoglycoside’s mechanism of action when it comes to blocking ribosome function?
Causes the mRNA to be misread when building proteins
Describe the ways antibiotics block metabolic enzymes
Some bind to the active site of critical enzymes in order to block function
Others bind to the critical enzyme cofactors/coenzymes/substrates so that the compounds are no longer available for metabolism
Stops growth, not as good for killing
Drug classes; sulphonamides, anti-metabolites
Describe how antibiotics block DNA synthesis
The antibiotic binds to the DNA or the enzymes involved in DNA replication
This either:
1) physically blocks the replication process
2) cause non-viable mutations to occur during DNA replication
Bacteria will die without replicating
Drug class: fluoroquinolones
What are bacteriostatic drugs
Slows replication rate of bacteria at the proper dose (stasis: stopping)
Allows the immune system to clear the bacteria more effectively
Animal must have a functioning immune system in order for these drugs to be successful
What are bacteriocidal drugs
Killing bacteria
True or false
Bacteriocidal and bacteriostatic drugs will always work in the way they are meant to on all bacteria
False
May have different effects in different bacteria
What is MIC
Minimum inhibitory concentration
Lowest concentration of an antibiotic that will completely inhibit growth of specific bacteria in VITRO
What is in vitro
Outside the living body in an artificial environment (petri dish)
What is MBC
Minimum bacteriocidal concentration
Lowest concentration of an antibiotic that will kill specific bacteria
True or false
MIC or MBC must reach the site of infection in order to be effective
True
What does effectiveness of a drug depend on
Dose (mg/kg)
Route of administration
Frequency of dosing
What does failure to achieve at least MIC result in
Failure to treat infection
Increased risk of drug resistance
What is the antibiotic spectrum
The range of bacteria for which the drug is effective
What is a NARROW spectrum antibiotic
Antibiotics only work on either gram positive OR gram negative bacteria
Considered more specific