Antibiotic Function

Antibiotics and what they are functional against

Beta-Lactam Bacteriocidal (bacteriolytic). cell wall
synthesis via inhibiting transpeptidase (NAM
sugars). e.g. Penicillin - works on Gram +ves.
Ampicillin - altered to work on Gram -ves.
Cephalosporin - resistant against Beta-
lactamases. Not effective against intrinsically
resistant mycoplasma (do not have cell wall).

Glycopeptide bacteriocidal (bacteriolytic). cell wall

synthesis via binding proteoglycan monomers.
e.g. Vancomysin - last resort for MRSA. Not
effective against intrinsically
resistant mycoplasma (do not have cell wall).

Quinolones and Fluroquinolones (for resistance to quinolones): prevent DNA

replication, bind DNA topoisomerase. Synthetic.
Enter host cells - useful against intracellular
bacteria (like recurrent UTI infections). e.g.
ciprofloxin

Sulfonamides bacteriostatic. Prevent synthesis of

tetrahydrofolic acid by inhibiting pteridine
synthase. Interferes with nucleic acid synthesis.
e.g. sulfanilamide.
Diaminopyrimidines
bacteriostatic. Prevent synthesis of
tetrahydrofolic acid by inhibiting dihydrofolate
reductase. Interferes with nucleic acid
synthesis.

Aminoglycosides
bacteriocidal. Freeze the 30s subunit of tRNA,
causing frameshift in protein synthesis by
misreading of DNA. Effective on Gram -ves. Can
be used as a synergist with penicillin - enters
cell after cell wall destruction. e.g.
streptomycin.
Tetracyclines
bacteriostatic. Broad spectrum antibiotic.
Bind to acceptor site of ribosome, 30s subunit.
e.g. tetracycline, deoxycycline.
Macrolides
bacteriostatic. Prevent translocation of the
50S subunit of tRNA from A to P site. Active
against Gram +ves and mycoplasma e.g
erythromycin, azithromycin.
Lincosamides
bacteriostatic. Broad-spectrum. Inhibits
protein synthesis.
Chloramphenicol
bacteriostatic. Broad-spectrum. Inhibits
protein synthesis. Only used for bacterial
meningitis as it can be toxic.
 Oseltamivir (Tamiflu): Interupts action of neuroaminidase
Non-Antibiotic mode of action (NA)(cleaves bond between syalic acid and
haemagluttinin (HA))

Acyclovir blocks viral DNA synthesis in herpes simplex

and varicella zoster virus.

Amphotericin B and Nyostatin Bind to ergosterol and form pores in the fungal
membrane.

Imidazole and Allyamine

inhibit enzymes in ergosterol biosynthesis.

5-flurocytosine
inhibits cytosine deaminase, inhibits fungal
protein, DNA, RNA synthesis.

Echinocandin
inhibits beta-glucan chains in the fungal cell
wall.

Novobiocin for coagulase negative Staphlococci. If resistant,

Antibiotics used in the lab (for diagnosing organism)

organism is S. saprophyticus. If sensitive, S.

epidermis and others.

Optochin
for alpha haemolytic Streptococci. If resistant,
"viridans" streptococci. If sensitive, S.
pneumoniae.

Bacitacin for beta haemolytic Streptococci. If resistant,

Lancefield groups B, C or G. If sensitive, S.
pyogenes.
 Specific Organism
Vibrio cholerae:
Bacterial
Campylobacter jejuni
Clostridium difficile:
E. coli:
E. coli ESBL
Staphylococcus aureus:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis:
Streptococcus
pyogenes/pneumoniae:
Giardia lamblia:
Plasmodium falciparum (malaria):
Chlamydia trachomatis:.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae:
Treponema pallidum (syphillis):
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (Mtb)
Treatment + Function
Deoxycycline
(only if severe): Macrolides (see above)
oral vancomysin, IV metronidazole
Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid - stops beta-
lactamases breaking down amoxil.
(extended spectrum Beta-lactamase):
Polymixin B or E (causes renal toxicity so last
resort medication)
95% resistant to penicillin, use methicillin
(90% not resistant). If resistant, vancomysin.
Some "superbugs" are resistant also to
vancomysin.
cocktail of different antibiotics (not specified).
There is often extensive resistance. Very
difficult to treat.
Penicillin. If patient is allergic, erythromycin.
Though this is not a bacteria, it can be treated
with metronidazole.
Though this is not a bacteria, it can be treated
with doxycycline. Quinine (not antibiotic).
Tetracyclines, macorlides (see above). No
evidence of resistance
penicillin initially effective, now have beta-
lactamase, ciprofloxin initially effective, now
have DNA gyrase. Use intramuscular
ceftriaxone and oral azithromycin.
penicillin. Effective treatment needs to keep
levels in blood high for at least 7days.
Intramuscular benzathine penicillin or
penicillin IV for 10days.
Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol,
Pyrazinamide, Streptomycin
 Influenza virus. preventative: vaccine containing surface
Viral antigens. Treatment: tamiflu. Both moderately
effective.

HIV:
treatments targeting: reverse transcriptase,
DNA integration, protease, HIV binding.
Vaccines difficult to develop due to mutation
(reverse transcriptase often makes mistakes).

Hepatitis B: . preventative: vaccine with recombinant yeast

derived HepB surface antigen

Herpes simplex and Varicella Zoster

virus: acyclovir

Toxoplasma gondii:. not necessary for immune competent person,

sulphadiazine and pyramethamine for CNS
abscess in AIDs

Plasmodium vivax: chloroquine and primaquine (prevent relapse).

azol creams e.g. miconazol, lamisil.

Cutaneous mycoses:

gargling with niastatin suspensions. Imidazole

Oral candidiasis: creams of lozenges.

Vaginal candidiasis: diflucan. recurrent infections: prophylactic

treatment using flucanazole.

Injection of amphotericin B, oral or IV 5-

Cryptococcal meningitis: flurocytosin

Systemic Candida infection: Fluconazole (not for those on prophylactic

azole treatment), echinocandin.