Veterinary Antimicrobials 2

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What type of bacteria are aminoglycosides primarily effective against?

Gram +ve anaerobic bacteria

Fungal infections

Gram -ve aerobic bacteria (correct)

Mycoplasma organisms

Which of the following statements about aminoglycosides is incorrect?

They may cause nephrotoxicity.

They inhibit protein synthesis.

They are bactericidal.

They are well absorbed from the GI tract. (correct)

What is the primary downside associated with the use of aminoglycosides?

Limited shelf life

High risk of gastrointestinal infections

Potential for nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity (correct)

Poor efficacy against Gram -ve bacteria

What is the mechanism of action for macrolides and lincosamides?

Inhibit protein synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the bacteriostatic property of macrolides and lincosamides?

Later generations may exhibit bactericidal properties Signup and view all the answers

What is empirical prescribing primarily based on?

Clinical judgement and available information Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following questions is NOT a consideration when prescribing antimicrobials?

What are the latest guidelines on drug pricing? Signup and view all the answers

What should be done for patients with non-serious infections prior to prescribing?

Consider taking microbiological samples Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect should NOT be considered when evaluating the appropriateness of an antimicrobial therapy?

Personal preference of the prescribing veterinarian Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical factor to assess before prescribing antimicrobials?

The likely causative organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of action of tetracycline antibiotics?

Inhibition of protein synthesis Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main mechanisms of action for antibacterials?

Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about doxycycline is true?

It is licensed for treatment of rhinitis and bronchopneumonia in cats and dogs. Signup and view all the answers

Which class of antibiotics is NOT specifically mentioned as having clinically effective antibiotics in Category D?

Macrolides Signup and view all the answers

What classification is assigned to tetracycline antibiotics?

Class D Signup and view all the answers

What is a known side effect associated with tetracycline use?

Oesophageal erosion Signup and view all the answers

What type of organisms do antibacterials primarily target?

Prokaryotes Signup and view all the answers

One of the mechanisms of action of antibacterials includes damaging which element of the bacteria?

Cell wall integrity Signup and view all the answers

Why should tetracycline antibiotics be used with caution in young animals?

They can bind to calcium and affect bone growth. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a significant difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes relevant to antibacterials?

Eukaryotes and prokaryotes have different cellular structures Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic of amphenicols?

They inhibit protein synthesis. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is clindamycin specifically licensed to treat in cats and dogs?

Infected wounds and abscesses Signup and view all the answers

What type of action do fluoroquinolones have on bacteria?

Inhibit DNA synthesis Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential side effect of amphenicols when used in large animals?

Transient reduction in food intake Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding macrolides?

Erythromycin is a type of macrolide. Signup and view all the answers

Which antibiotic is listed as being used mainly for topical treatment of eye infections?

Chloramphenicol Signup and view all the answers

For which of the following infections is florfenicol licensed to treat in cattle?

Respiratory tract infections Signup and view all the answers

Which class of antibiotics is considered for the treatment of last resort?

Fluoroquinolones Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of β-lactam antibiotics?

Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which type of bacteria do β-lactam antibiotics affect most effectively?

Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common side effect associated with β-lactam antibiotics?

Hypersensitivity reactions Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism do bacteria use to resist β-lactam antibiotics?

Bacterial β-lactamases that break down the β-lactam ring Signup and view all the answers

What class of antibiotics includes amoxicillin and ampicillin?

Penicillins Signup and view all the answers

Which combination is an example of a penicillin combined with a β-lactamase inhibitor?

Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the nature of β-lactam antibiotics?

They are bactericidal, leading to cell wall lysis. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of β-lactam antibiotics?

Ability to inhibit protein synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Antimicrobials

Antimicrobials are used in veterinary medicine to treat infections
Different classes of antimicrobials target specific mechanisms of bacterial function
Some antimicrobials include:
- Penicillins
- Cephalosporins
- Tetracyclines
- Aminoglycosides
- Sulfonamides
- Metronidazole
- Fluoroquinolones
- Macrolides/Lincosamides

Cell Wall Synthesis Inhibitors

Some antimicrobials disrupt bacterial cell wall synthesis
Penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems target bacterial cell walls
These drugs prevent the synthesis of peptidoglycan, a key component of the cell wall
This leads to cell lysis causing a loss of integrity in the bacterial cells

Protein Synthesis Inhibitors

Some antimicrobials specifically target bacterial protein synthesis
Aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and macrolides interfere protein synthesis
This inhibits bacterial growth and reproduction

Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors

Some antimicrobials inhibit nucleic acid synthesis in bacteria
Sulfonamides, Fluoroquinolones, Metronidazole target bacterial nucleic acid synthesis
These drugs prevent bacteria from replicating by interfering with the production of nucleic acids

Empirical Prescribing

Empirical prescribing involves prescribing medication based on clinical judgement and available data, even without definitive diagnosis results
The process involves:
- Assessing the patient
- Identifying likely causative organisms
- Evaluating antimicrobial resistance risk
- Choosing the narrowest spectrum
- Considering benefits and harms for the patient
- Presenting options to the client

Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria

Bacteria classified as Gram-positive or Gram-negative based on their cell wall structure
- Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer (cell wall)
- Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer and are surrounded by an outer membrane
These structural differences influence how antimicrobials interact and impact bacterial function
Gram-positive bacteria include:
- Bacillus
- Clostridium
- Corynebacterium
- Mycobacterium
- Staphylococcus
- Streptococcus
Gram-negative bacteria include:
- Bordetella
- Brucella
- Campylobacter
- Escherichia
- Hemaophilus
- Helicobacter
- Klebsiella
- Legionella
- Neisseria
- Pseudomonas
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Treponema
- Vibrio

Anti-Microbial Classes

Antimicrobials are categorized into 4 classes
- Category A (Avoid)
- Category B (Restrict)
- Category C (Caution)
- Category D (Prudence)

Learning Outcomes

Describe the pharmacology and therapeutic characteristics of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine
Provide examples of commonly used antimicrobials for each class
Demonstrate a rational method of selecting appropriate antimicrobials based on clinical judgement for empirical prescribing.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the different classes of antimicrobials used in veterinary medicine to combat bacterial infections. This quiz covers mechanisms like cell wall synthesis inhibitors, protein synthesis inhibitors, and nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors. Test your knowledge on specific drugs such as penicillins and tetracyclines!