Antibiotics PDF

ANTIBIOTICS z By Melinda Apondi z What Are Antibiotics?  An antibiotic is a drug that kills or stops the growth of bacteria without harming the cells of the infected organism  z...

ANTIBIOTICS z By Melinda Apondi z What Are Antibiotics?  An antibiotic is a drug that kills or stops the growth of bacteria without harming the cells of the infected organism  z How Do They Work  Antibiotics work by disrupting key processes in bacterial cells, hindering their growth and reproduction. Here’s how they interfere:  Synthesis of bacterial cell walls: Antibiotics may inhibit the formation of bacterial cell walls, weakening the structural integrity of the bacteria and making them more susceptible to damage and death.  Activity of proteins in the cell surface membrane: Antibiotics can disrupt the function of proteins embedded in the bacterial cell membrane, affecting essential processes like nutrient transport and cell communication.  Enzyme action: Certain antibiotics interfere with specific enzymes crucial for bacterial metabolism and replication. By inhibiting enzyme activity, antibiotics disrupt vital biochemical pathways necessary for bacterial survival.  DNA and protein synthesis: Antibiotics may target the machinery responsible for DNA replication and protein synthesis in bacterial cells. By disrupting these processes, antibiotics prevent bacteria from reproducing and carrying out essential functions, ultimately leading to their death. z How penicillin acts on bacteria  1) penicillin prevents the synthesis of cross links which hold together a bacterium’s peptidoglycan walls (so penicillin is only effective when bacteria are growing)  2) enzymes autolysins secreted create small holes that allow the wall to stretch so new peptidoglycan chains can link  3) penicillin prevents linking but holes continue to appear making the cell wall weaker  4) when bacteria take up water via osmosis, it cannot withstand the pressure potential exerted due to the weakened cell wall and bursts  z Antibiotics do not a affected viruses  The information provided in the documents does not directly address the question about antibiotics and viruses. However, based on the information provided, we can infer the following:  Antibiotics do not affect viruses: Antibiotics are medications that are specifically designed to target and kill bacteria. They work by interfering with the processes that are essential for bacterial survival, such as cell wall synthesis or protein production. Since viruses are structurally and functionally different from bacteria, antibiotics are not effective against viral infections.  Viruses do not have a peptidoglycan cell wall: Peptidoglycan is a unique component of bacterial cell walls. Viruses do not possess a cell wall made of peptidoglycan. Instead, they have a protein coat, also known as a capsid, that protects their genetic material.  Viruses do not have their own metabolism: Unlike bacteria, viruses do not have the ability to carry out metabolic processes on their own. They rely on host cells to provide the necessary machinery and resources for replication and survival.  Viruses have very few organelles: Viruses are much simpler in structure compared to cells. They typically have very few organelles, if any at all. This limited number of organelles means that there are fewer potential targets for antiviral drugs to act upon.  Viruses live inside host cells: Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they can only replicate and survive inside host cells. This makes it difficult for antibiotics to reach and target the virus  z How bacteria become resistant to antibiotics  The process of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics involves several key steps:  Incomplete course of antibiotics: When people do not complete the full prescribed course of antibiotics, it can leave behind a reservoir of bacteria. Some bacteria may survive the antibiotic treatment, allowing them to potentially develop resistance.  Mutation: The remaining bacteria have the potential to mutate, which can lead to the development of resistance. Mutations can occur spontaneously in the bacterial DNA, resulting in changes that allow the bacteria to survive in the presence of antibiotics.  Survival and reproduction: Bacteria that have acquired resistance through mutation are more likely to survive in the presence of antibiotics. These resistant bacteria can then reproduce and pass on the genetic information for resistance to their offspring, leading to the spread of antibiotic resistance within bacterial populations. z  z  Consequences of antibiotic resistance The consequences of antibiotic resistance include:  Decreased ability to treat infections: Antibiotic resistance makes it more difficult to effectively treat bacterial infections. As bacteria become resistant to commonly used antibiotics, healthcare providers may need to resort to more expensive or less effective treatment options, leading to prolonged illness and increased risk of complications.  Increased human illness and mortality: Antibiotic resistance can result in more severe and prolonged infections, leading to increased rates of illness and mortality. When antibiotics are no longer effective, infections can spread more easily and become more difficult to control, posing a significant threat to public health.  Increased cost and length of treatments: Treating antibiotic-resistant infections can be more expensive and time- consuming. Patients may require longer hospital stays, additional diagnostic tests, and more expensive medications. This can place a significant financial burden on individuals, healthcare systems, and society as a whole.  Adverse effects from alternate treatments: When antibiotics are no longer effective, healthcare providers may need to use alternative treatments, such as stronger or more toxic medications. These alternative treatments can have more severe side effects and may not be as effective in treating the infection, further compromising patient health.  Lack of availability of clinically effective antibiotics: As antibiotic resistance continues to increase, there is a risk of running out of effective antibiotics to treat certain infections. This can lead to a lack of treatment options for serious bacterial infections, leaving patients vulnerable to potentially life-threatening illnesses.  z Steps that can be taken to reduce the impact of antibiotic resistance  The steps that can be taken to reduce the impact of antibiotic resistance are as follows:  Avoid using antibiotics for trivial reasons or to treat viral infections. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, so using them unnecessarily can contribute to antibiotic resistance  Complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by a healthcare professional. It is important to take the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve, as stopping early can lead to the survival of stronger bacteria that are more resistant to antibiotics.  Use a combination of antibiotics when necessary. Combining different antibiotics can help prevent the development of resistance by targeting bacteria in different ways.  Avoid using antibiotics as preventative medicine. Antibiotics should only be used to treat existing bacterial infections, not as a preventive measure.  Use wide-spectrum antibiotics only when the specific pathogen causing the infection is not known. Wide-spectrum antibiotics can kill a wide range of bacteria, including both harmful and beneficial ones. Using them unnecessarily can contribute to antibiotic resistance.  Rotate antibiotics to avoid using the same ones all the time. This helps prevent the overuse of specific antibiotics, reducing the likelihood of bacteria developing resistance to them.  Avoid using the same antibiotics for animals and humans. The use of antibiotics in animal agriculture can contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It is important to use different antibiotics for animals and humans to minimize the risk of transmission.  Do not sell antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription. This helps ensure that antibiotics are only used when necessary and under the guidance of a healthcare professional. z  THANK YOU