Antibiotic resistance Flashcards
(14 cards)
How must antimicrobial drugs be effective?
They must act inside the host, so their effect on the host’s cells and tissues is important.
What is the narrow spectrum of activity?
Narrow-spectrum activity only targets a limited number of microbial types when identified.
What is a broad spectrum of activity?
Broad-spectrum drugs impact a large variety of microbes if the identification of pathogen is not found.
Are there disadvantages to using broad-spectrum drugs?
Broad-spectrum drugs not only target the pathogen, but also the host’s normal microbial community (flora).
How does antibiotic resistance form?
Resistance happens when the bacteria evolve or change to protect themselves from antibiotics. This makes infections harder to treat.
How do cell wall inhibitor antibiotics work against bacteria? Add example
Example: Glycopeptides
CWI bursts and kills bacteria by preventing them from building their protective outer wall
How do cell membrane-disrupting antibiotics work against bacteria? Add example
Example: Polypeptides
CMD causes leakage of essential contents and kills bacteria by disrupting the bacterial membrane
How do folate synthesis inhibitor antibiotics work against bacteria? Add example
Example: Sulfones
FSI prevents bacteria from making folate, which they need for growth and multiplication
How do DNA gyrase inhibitor antibiotics work against bacteria? Add example
Example: Fluorouinolone
DNA gyrase inhibitors prevent bacteria from uncoiling their DNA, which they need for reproduction and repair
How do RNA synthesis inhibitors antibiotics, work against bacteria? Add example
Example: Ansamycins
RNA synthesis inhibitors prevent bacteria from making RNA, which they need for the production of proteins and survival
How do protein synthesis inhibitor antibiotics work against bacteria? Add example
Example: Macrolides
PSI disrupts the machinery that the bacteria need to build proteins for growth and function.
How do bacteria evolve antibiotic resistance?
Bacteria can become resistant through mutations or structural rearrangements. They can exchange their genetic material with other bacteria. They can interact with other organisms and their environments. They can migrate between different environments or parts of the same host.
What are the specific mechanisms bacteria perform to grow resistance?
- Mutation: Has changes in its DNA sequence
- Structural rearrangement: Has inversions or duplications of entire segments of its DNA
- Transformation: Take up free DNA from their environment
- Transduction: Transferring DNA between bacteria
- Conjugation: Transferring DNA with other bacteria through a pilus
