Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

Question 1

what is the function of B-lactams

Answer 1

inhibit cell wall synthesis

Question 2

what are the two groups of B-lactam antibiotics

Answer 2

• penicillins

- cephalosporins

Question 3

what are two examples of glycopeptides

Answer 3

• vancomycin

- teicoplanin

Question 4

what is the function of glycopeptides

Answer 4

inhibition of cell wall synthesis

Question 5

what classification of bacteria do glycopeptides act on

Answer 5

gram positive

Question 6

what is the function of amino-glycosides

Answer 6

protein synthesis inhibition

Question 7

in what situation are aminoglycosides particularly useful

Answer 7

in serious gram negative (e.g. coliform) infections

Question 8

what do fluroquinolones do?

Answer 8

nucleic acid synthesis inhibition

Question 9

give an example of a fluoroquinolone

Answer 9

ciprofloxacin

Question 10

what is a limitation of a fluoroquinolone

Answer 10

as it inhibits nucleic acid synthesis it cannot be used in children

Question 11

ciprofloxacin

Answer 11

• fluoroquinolone
• effective against gram-negative organisms
• can be taken orally

Question 12

what are the 2 important methods of bacterial resistance to B-lactam antibiotics

Answer 12

• B-lactamase production

- genetically altered binding sites to which B-lactams cannot bind

Question 13

what can be used to treat B-lactamase producing micro-organisms

Answer 13

• flucloxacillin - it is B-lactamase resistant

Question 14

describe glycopeptide resistance

Answer 14

vancomycin resistance is unusual in gram + organisms, however vancomycin resistant enterococci have appeared recently

Question 15

describe the development of a C.Diff infection

Answer 15

C.Diff are a gut commensal (part of the normal flora of the gut), however when antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum antibiotics are taken, this results in a reduction of C.diffs competition. C.diff can therefore appear in vast quantities and possibly cause harm

Question 16

what can help minimise the chances of patients developing a c.diff infection

Answer 16

restriction on prescription of antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum antibiotics

Question 17

how can c.diff be treated

Answer 17

oral vancomycin can be prescribed, and if the patient is on other antibiotics, where possible/appropriate these could be stopped to enable the reintroduction of other gut commensals

Question 18

name 2 antibiotics that should be carefully monitored and why

Answer 18

vancomycin
gentamicin
to avoid toxicity

Question 19

ABZ

Answer 19

ascomycetes
basidiomycetes
zygomycetes

Question 20

TAPE

Answer 20

Polyenes
Echinocandins
Allymines
Triazoles

Question 21

function of polyenes

Answer 21

targets ergosterol

Question 22

function of echinocandins

Answer 22

inhibit synthesis of glucan polysaccharides

Question 23

function of triazoles/azoles

Answer 23

targets ergosterol

Question 24

function of allylamines

Answer 24

target ergosterol

Question 25

what class of anti fugal drug is amphotericin B

Answer 25

polyene

Question 26

what is amphotericin B used for

Answer 26

administered via IV for serious yeast and other fungal infections

Question 27

nystatin

Answer 27

• polyene

- used topically/ orally for fungal infections

Question 28

what drug is typically used to treat yeast infections, and what class of anti-fungal drug does it fall into

Answer 28

• triazole/ azole

- flucanazole

Question 29

terbinafine

Answer 29

• allyamine

- used for fungal infection of skin and nails

Question 30

in what types of infections are echinocandins used

Answer 30

serious candida and aspergillum infections

Question 31

aciclovir

Answer 31

anti-viral drug active against herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus