What are narrow spectrum antibiotics effective against?
Example: Penicillin G is primarily effective against Gram-positive bacteria.
What is an example of a narrow spectrum antibiotic?
Penicillin G
Used in treating infections like pneumonia and syphilis.
When are narrow spectrum antibiotics preferred?
When the specific pathogen is known
Minimizes disruption to normal flora.
What do broad spectrum antibiotics target?
Example: Tetracyclines are commonly used for various infections.
When are broad spectrum antibiotics often used?
Empirically when the causative organism is unknown
Can lead to antibiotic resistance.
How can antibiotics be classified based on their biochemical pathways?
This classification helps in understanding mechanisms of action.
What are the key antibiotic classes mentioned?
Understanding the mechanism of action is crucial for selecting appropriate antibiotics.
What does trimethoprim inhibit?
Folate metabolism
Blocks PABA incorporation into dihydropteroic acid.
What do fluoroquinolones inhibit?
Bacterial DNA synthesis
Effective against a wide range of bacteria.
What is the mechanism of action of tetracycline?
Inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit
Prevents amino acid addition.
What do macrolides inhibit?
Protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit
Blocks peptide bond formation.
What do penicillins and cephalosporins inhibit?
Cell wall formation by blocking transpeptidase
Crucial for bacterial integrity.
What is a common side effect of penicillin?
Reactions can range from rashes to anaphylactic shock.
What are cephalosporins generally more resistant to?
Penicillinase
They are classified into five generations based on their spectrum of activity.
What do fluoroquinolones target in their mechanism of action?
Bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV
Critical for DNA replication.
What do tetracyclines potentially cause in children?
Discoloration of teeth
Caution is advised when prescribing to pregnant women and children under 12.
What do sulfonamides inhibit?
Folate metabolism
Crucial for DNA synthesis.
What is the combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim known as?
Co-trimoxazole
Enhances antibacterial effects by targeting sequential steps in folate metabolism.
What is a potential drawback of combination therapy?
Overuse can disrupt normal bacterial flora.
What is a major global health threat identified by the WHO?
Antimicrobial resistance
Projected deaths due to resistance could surpass those from cancer by 2050.
What are some mechanisms of resistance bacteria can develop?
These mechanisms help bacteria evade the effects of antibiotics.
What do echinocandins inhibit?
Synthesis of glucan in the fungal cell wall
Leads to cell lysis and death.
What do imidzoles disrupt?
Ergosterol synthesis
Vital for fungal cell membrane integrity.
What is the role of oseltamivir (Tamiflu)?
Neuraminidase inhibitor
Prevents the release of new viral particles.