Antibiotics and Bacterial Resistance

These flashcards cover key terms related to antibiotics, their mechanisms of action, and issues of bacterial resistance as discussed in the lecture.

Vancomycin

A narrow spectrum antibiotic used to treat gram-positive infections, such as MRSA, that is not affected by beta-lactamase.

Cephalosporin

A class of antibiotics structurally similar to penicillin that is often used as an alternative for patients allergic to penicillin.

Broad spectrum antibiotics

Antibiotics that are effective against a wide variety of bacteria, including both gram-positive and gram-negative.

Fluoroquinolones

A class of broad-spectrum antibiotics that inhibit DNA replication by targeting accessory enzymes like DNA gyrase and topoisomerase.

Augmentin

A combination drug consisting of amoxicillin and a beta-lactamase inhibitor, extending the effectiveness of penicillin against resistant bacteria.

Beta-lactamase

An enzyme produced by some bacteria that can break down beta-lactam antibiotics, rendering them ineffective.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics, including methicillin.

Rifampin

An antibiotic used primarily for tuberculosis that has a high rate of resistance development due to its target, RNA polymerase.

Toxicity

The degree to which a substance can harm humans or animals, often a concern with broad-spectrum antibiotics due to their effects on human cells.

Drug cocktail

A combination of multiple drugs used together to enhance effectiveness and reduce the chance of resistance.

Peptidoglycan

A component of the bacterial cell wall that provides structural support and rigidity.

Bacterial ribosomes

Smaller ribosomes found in bacteria, targeted by specific antibiotics to inhibit protein synthesis without affecting human ribosomes.

Cell wall inhibitors

Antibiotics that interfere with the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall, resulting in cell lysis.