Infection: Antimicrobials Flashcards Preview

ESA 3 > Infection: Antimicrobials > Flashcards

Flashcards in Infection: Antimicrobials Deck (14)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

How are antibacterials classified?

A

Bactericidal (kill bacteria) or bacteriostatic (inhibit growth)
Broad or narrow spectrum
Target site
Chemical structure

2
Q

What are the 4 different mechanisms of action of antibacterials? Give an example for each

A

Most important
Inhibit cell wall synthesis - beta lactams and glycopeptides (penicillin and vancomycin)
Inhibit protein synthesis - tetracyclines
Inhibit nucleic acid synthesis - quinolones, rifampicin
Inhibit cell membrane function
Least important

3
Q

What bacteria is vancomycin effective against?

A

gram +ves

has a narrow therapeutic window so needs close monitoring

4
Q

What are the mechanisms of resistance of antimicrobials?

A
  • Drug inactivating enzymes that destroy the antibiotic before it can work eg beta lactamases destroy beta lactams
  • Altered target eg the target enzyme has a lower affinity for the antibacterial
  • Altered uptake, either decreased permeability or increased efflux
5
Q

What bacteria are penicillins effective against?

A

Mainly active against streptococci and gram negatives

6
Q

Name some penicillins are what they are effective against

A

Penicillin - steptococci
Amoxicillin - gram +ves with some activity against g -ves
Flucloxicillin - streptococci and staphylococci
Co-amoxiclav - mixture of amoxicillin and some g-ve

7
Q

What bacteria is cetriaxone effective against?

A

Broad spectrum

Has good activity in cerebral spinal fluid so good for use in meningitis

8
Q

What condition is meropenem used for?

A

Used for life threatening sepsis with an unknown cause - very broad spectrum

9
Q

What bacteria is doxycycline effective against?

A

Broad spectrum but commonly used for g+ve in penicillin allergy
Used for atypical pneumonia

10
Q

What bacteria is gentamycin effective against?

A

Profound activity against g-ves (so reserved for severe gram negative sepsis)
can be potentially nephrotoxic

11
Q

What is erythromycin used for?

A

Alternative to penicillin in mild g+ve infection

Active against atypical respiratory pathogens

12
Q

What is ciprofloxacin effective against?

A

Very active against g-ves and atypical pathogens

High risk of C difficile

13
Q

What is trimehtoprim used to treat?

A

UTIs

14
Q

What is antimicrobial stewardship?

A

A program that promotes the appropriate use of antimicrobials, improves patient outcomes, reduces microbial resistance, and decreases the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.

Decks in ESA 3 Class (96):