Antimicrobials Flashcards
(136 cards)
What are the agent(s) of the folate anti-metabolites class?
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (sulfonamides and trimethoprim rarely used separately)
What is the mechanism of action of folate anti-metabolites?
Prevent production of tetrahydrofolate for synthesis of purines and thymidine
- Sulfonamide inhibits dihydropteroate synthetase
- Trimethoprim inhibits dihydrofolate reductase
What is the spectrum of activity for folate anti-metabolites?
Traditionally used for Gram negatives
Some Gram positive activity including S. aureus
Some protozoa and fungi
What are common adverse events of folate anti-metabolites?
Common: nausea, vomiting, headache, rash
Rare: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug interactions
What are the major clinical uses of folate anti-metabolites?
UTI and respiratory infections
Increasing use for S. aureus
What are the agent(s) of the quinolones (and fluoroquinolones)?
Ciprofloxacin, Moxifloxacin
What is the mechanism of action of the quinolones?
Form complex with DNA and topoisomerase II or IV, preventing the topoisomerase from fixing the DNA double strand breaks
What are the mechanisms of resistance of folate anti-metabolites?
Genetic mutation
Plasmid (containing alternate dhfr allele in the case of trimethoprim)
What are the mechanisms of resistance of quinolones?
Mutations in target enzyme (topoisomerase)
Efflux pumps
What are common adverse effects of quinolones?
Common: GI intolerance, headache, nervousness
Rare:
Seizures
May prolong QT interval in patients taking other medications that can prolong QT
Tendon rupture
What is the spectrum of activity of quinolones?
Active against most Gram negatives and “atypicals” (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Legionella, Mycobacteria)
Moxifloxacin is also active against Gram positive Strep and anaerobes
What are the clinical uses of quinolones?
GI infections
Ciprofloxacin - UTIs
Moxifloxacin - Pneumonia, mycobacterial infections, polymicrobial infections due to anaerobic activity
What is the spectrum of activity of Nitrofurantoin?
Gram-pos and Gram-neg uropathogens (Staph, Strep, Enterococcus, Klebsiella)
What are the clinical uses of Nitrofurantoin?
Only used for UTI
What agent(s) are in the Rifamycins class?
Rifampin
Rifabutin
Rifaximin
What is the mechanism of action of rifamycins?
Binds beta subunit of RNA polymerase and blocks transcription
What is unique about the pharmacology/kinetics of rifamycins?
Metabolized by P450 3A4
- Rafampin: potent induced, can increase metabolism of other drugs
- Rifabutin: levels can rise in presence of P450 inhibitors
- Rifaximin: not absorbed, only taken PO
What are common adverse events of rifamycins?
Turns secretions orange!
GI intolerance
Hematologic or hepatic toxicity
What is the spectrum of activity of rifamycins?
Very broad, includes Gram pos, Gram neg, anaerobic and mycobacterial
What are the clinical uses of rifamycins?
Prophylaxis (for Neisseria)
Used in combination with other antimicrobials, i.e. in the treatment of Mycobacterial TB infection
Rifaximin: just treats GI infections since poorly absorbed
What is the spectrum of activity of Fidaxomicin?
Only Gram-positive bacteria
But also has less dramatic effect on fecal microbiome than other agents
What are the clinical uses of Fidaxomicin?
C. diff colitis
What antimicrobials fall under the category of Beta-lactam agents?
Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Carbapenems
Monobactams
What are mechanisms of resistance of Penicillins?
Beta-lactamase
Modified Penicillin-binding proteins (e.g. e.g. PBP2A encoded by the mecA gene which results in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with a decreased affinity for β-lactam antibiotics)