Overview of Antibacterial and Antiviral Agents

Aminoglycosides

Bactericidal agents with gram-negative coverage; dosage based on patient weight, renal function, and serum blood levels; may cause hearing loss and kidney failure.

Tobramycin

An example of aminoglycosides.

Glycopeptides

Bactericidal agents that bind to a portion of the cell wall of microorganisms, preventing cell wall development; effective against gram-positive cocci.

Vancomycin

An example of glycopeptides that requires monitoring of serum blood levels.

Telavancin

A glycopeptide with a long duration, administered once daily.

Macrolides

Antibacterial agents that inhibit bacterial protein synthesis; commonly used for pulmonary infections.

Tetracyclines

Broad spectrum, bacteriostatic agents that can cause permanent tooth discoloration.

MDR TB

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis due to suboptimal treatment (inappropriate drug doses/noncompliance).

Antituberculosis Drugs

Examples include rifampin and isoniazid.

HSV

Herpes simplex virus.

Antivirals

Treatment that interferes with viral DNA synthesis, inhibiting viral replication; examples include valacyclovir.

RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus, a major cause of lung disease in children.

Ribavirin

Treatment for RSV that inhibits RNA and DNA viruses.

Folate inhibitors

Bacteriostatic agents primarily used for the treatment of UTIs; examples include sulfonamides.

Quinupristin-Dalfopristin

Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis; bacteriostatic against gram-positive bacteria; administered IV.

Daptomycin

Bactericidal against gram-positive bacteria; interferes with electrical activity of the cell membrane; useful in the treatment of MRSA.

Clindamycin

Active against gram-positive cocci and anaerobes; can be administered orally or IV, but not IM.

Metronidazole

A synthetic drug with an anaerobic spectrum of activity; inhibits bacterial protein synthesis resulting in cell death; part of a cocktail drug to treat peptic ulcer disease (PUD) due to H. pylori.

HIV

Infects cells of immune system and may progress to AIDS.

NRTIs

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., abacavir).

NNRTIs

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., efavirenz).

PIs

Protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir).

epidemiology

study of patterns, causes, spread, and effects of disease conditions (as determined by CDC)

endemic

disease continually present within a specific population/region

epidemic

disease occurs suddenly over specific geographic region

resistance occurrence may be due to

-antibiotic being destroyed by bacterial enzymes

-alteration in protein binding

-bacteria pumping antibiotic out, preventing it from destroying bacteria

-use of antibiotics when not needed

Bacteriostatic antibiotics

inhibits replications

Bactericidal antibiotics

actively destroys bacteria

broad spectrum antibiotics

effective against wide range of bacteria

Narrow spectrum antibiotics

used after specific organism is identified

Beta-lactam antibiotics

-chemically related drugs

-inhibit materials needed for bacterial cell wall synthesis

-ex: penicillins, cephalosporins, monobactams, carbacephems, carbapanems

Quinolones antibiotics

-block two enzymes responsible for DNA growth, leading to breakage of DNA, which results in bactericidal activity

-prolonged use may cause superinfection

-may cause tendon inflammation with rupture, even after medication is discontinued

-ex of fluoroquinolones: ciprofloxacin (cipro)

Fungi

Two basic forms of fungi in humans: yeasts and molds.

Local Fungi

Fungi that affect a specific area.

Systemic Fungi

Fungi that affect the entire body.

Ergosterol

Substance whose production is prevented by antifungal treatments.

Nystatin

An antifungal agent available in oral or topical cream form.

Miconazole

An antifungal agent available in topical form.

Immunity

Immune response produces antibodies against foreign microbes; can be inherited, acquired, or induced.

Passive Immunity

Short-lived immunity through administration of immunoglobulins.

Active Immunity

Long-lasting immunity produced artificially (vaccination) or naturally (by contracting illness).

Disease

Body fails to function properly due to numerous causes, many of which are infections.

Sign

Objective, measurable, and definitive indication of a disease.

Symptom

Subjective indication based on perception that cannot be measured consistently.

Syndrome

Specific grouping of signs and symptoms (S/S).

Diagnosis

Identification of disease and cause of disease.

Prognosis

Prediction of outcome of disease process.

Chief Complaint

Concern that caused the patient to seek medical help.

Chronic Condition

A long-term health condition.

Acute Condition

A short-term health condition.

Remission

Signs and symptoms of chronic disease may subside.

Relapse

Recurrence of signs and symptoms.

Exacerbation

Acute return of signs and symptoms.

Mortality

Measure of deaths attributed to a specific disease.

Morbidity

Measure of disability or problems related to illness.

Pandemic

Disease spreads throughout a country or worldwide.