Antibiotic Class and Coverage Review

Antibiotic Coverage

• Antibiotic coverage charts and tables summarize the spectrum of activity for various antibiotics against different pathogens.
• Post-antibiotic effect (PAE) is the phenomenon where bacterial growth remains suppressed even after antibiotic levels drop below the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC).

Antibiotic Classes

• Cell Wall Synthesis Inhibitors: Prevent crosslinking of peptidoglycan, vital for bacterial cell wall integrity.
• Cell Membrane Inhibitors: Disrupt the bacterial cell membrane, leading to leakage of cellular contents.
• Protein Synthesis Inhibitors: Target ribosomal subunits (30S and 50S) to block protein production.
• Folate Synthesis Inhibitors: Interfere with folate metabolism essential for bacterial growth.
• Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors: Interfere with the synthesis of DNA and RNA.

Time-Dependent Antibiotics (T > MIC)

• Include Beta-lactams, Monobactams, Macrolides (except azithromycin), and Clindamycin.

Concentration-Dependent Antibiotics

• AUC/MIC: Vancomycin, Azithromycin, Tetracyclines, Linezolid.
• Cmax/MIC: Aminoglycosides, Fluoroquinolones, Metronidazole, Daptomycin.

Cell Wall Synthesis Inhibitors

• Beta-lactams: Include Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Carbapenems, and Monobactams (e.g., Aztreonam targets PBP in gram-negative bacteria).
• Glycopeptides: Critical members are Vancomycin, Telavancin, Dalbavancin, and Oritavancin.

Cell Membrane Synthesis Inhibitors

• Key drugs include Polymyxins and Daptomycin which compromise cell membrane integrity.

Protein Synthesis Inhibitors

• Act on ribosomal targets:
  • 30S: Aminoglycosides, Tetracyclines.
  • 50S: Macrolides, Clindamycin, Linezolid, Chloramphenicol, Quinupristin/dalfopristin, Glycylcyclines (Tigecycline).

Folate Synthesis Inhibitors

• Sulfonamides inhibit Dihydropteroate synthase, while Trimethoprim blocks Dihydrofolate reductase; commonly grouped as sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim.

Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors

• Antibiotics include Fluoroquinolones, Metronidazole, Nitrofurantoin, and Rifamycin, targeting nucleic acid processes.

Antibiotics Resistance Mechanisms

• Inactivation of drug: Bacteria produce enzymes to destroy antibiotics.
• Decreased accumulation of drug: Reduced uptake or increased efflux mechanisms.
• Reduced binding to target: Mutations lead to lower affinity for the antibiotic’s target.

Test your knowledge on antibiotics with this review quiz featuring key concepts and definitions related to antibiotic coverage. From understanding antibiotic classes to the post-antibiotic effect, this quiz covers essential information for anyone studying pharmacology or medicine.