Week 6- Anti-infective agents Flashcards
Considerations for children taking anti-infectives.
- GI and CNS effect
- Ear infection (contributing to resistance)
- Dehydration
Considerations for adults taking anti-infective agents.
- pregnancy
- “Quick fixes”
Considerations for older adults taking anti-infectives.
- Concerns with excreting properly due to age related changes in the kidneys and liver
- may present with different signs and symptoms
___ ____ developed synthetic chemicals against _____ causing cells in the ____
Paul Ehrlich
infection
1920’s
When were sulphonamides introduced?
1935
Define bactericidal.
kills the cell
Define bacteriostatic.
prevents reproduction of the cell
What does ‘narrow spectrum of activity’ mean?
effective only against a few organisms
What does ‘broad spectrum of activity’ mean?
can treat wide range of infections
What is the goal of anti-infective therapy?
reduce the invading pathogen low enough for the body to fight off the rest
What does the immune response involve?
chemical mediators, leukocytes, lymphocytes, antibodies, and locally released enzymes and chemicals
Why do immune suppressed patients not have as effective a treatment with anti-infectives?
because they cannot fight off the few invading pathogens the anti-infective did not eliminate
What is natural resistance?
Anti-infectives act on specific enzyme system or biological process, many microorganisms that do not act on this system are not affected by this particular drug.
What is acquired resistance?
Microorganisms that were once sensitive to the particular drug have begun to develop acquired resistance.
How does anti-infective agents resistance develop?
- enzymes that deactivate the drug
- change their cellular permeability so drug can’t enter
- alter binding sites so they no longer accept the drug
- produce chemicals that are antagonist to the drug
How can we prevent resistance?
- limit txt of specific pathogens sensitive to the drug being used
- high enough doses
- long enough duration
- cautious with indiscriminate use of anti-infectives
How do you identify the pathogen?
culture
swob the area of infection, stool, urine, vagina, blood, nose, rectal, etc
How do you identify what the microoganism is vulnerable to?
sensativity test
What factors effect the prescription of anti-infective agents?
- identifying the pathogen and selecting the right drug
What is combination therapy and why is it used?
- using smaller does of 2 drugs
- some work synergistically
- sometimes helps to delay emergence of resistant strains
Define emperic therapy.
txt before culture has been reported or obtained
Define prophylactic therapy.
txt to prevent infection