Basicmedical Key

Key Points D-Cycloserine (DCS) is a natural antibiotic with good oral bioavailability and activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. D-Cycloserine interferes with two enzymes in cell-wall biosynthesis:…

Key Points The quinolones are synthetic antibacterial agents which show greatest activity against Gram negative bacteria and are used in the treatment of urinary tract and respiratory infections. Resistance to…

3.2.1 Discovery Trimethoprim (Figure 3.2.1) is an example of early rational drug design; it resulted from the work of George H. Hitchings and his group at Burroughs Wellcome in the…

Key Points Isoniazid inhibits the synthesis of mycolic acids, which are the building blocks for the mycobacterial cell wall. Isoniazid is used in combination with other agents to treat active…

Key Points Linezolid is the first in a new class of antibacterial agents active against Gram positive bacteria. It has excellent bioavailability and distribution into body tissues, making it particularly…

Key Points Chloramphenicol has a broad spectrum of activity but, due to toxicity issues, its use is reserved for severe infections or for topical applications. Chloramphenicol inhibits protein synthesis through…

Key Points The rifamycins are semisynthetic antibiotics which have broad-spectrum activity. Resistance to the rifamycins arises due to mutations in the rpoB gene, which encodes the β-subunit of RNA polymerase….

Key Points Daptomycin is approved for the treatment of MRSA-linked complicated skin and skin-structure infections (cSSSIs) and bacteraemia, including right-sided endocarditis. The mode of action is not well understood, but…

Key Points Nitroimidazoles are prodrugs which are reduced in vivo to give radical species that are toxic to cells. Resistance arises due to decreased reduction by the cellular enzymes. Owing…