How antibiotics work?
The construction of a bacterium determines whether an antibiotic will or will not work. The inside of the bacterium is protected by a wall. The composition of the wall can vary from a thin flexible membrane, to more membranes or cell wall. The wall and the content of a bacterium is continuously adjusted in order to make. Possible growth and division At roughly four different antibiotics can kill bacteria or inhibit the growth:
Each type of antibiotic needs it's own point of application. For example, penicillin disturb the alignment of the cell wall so that the bacteria can not grow and eventually dies. Bacteria that have no cell wall (Mycoplasma's) are, by definition, insensitive to penicillin. The properties which have bacteria naturally (biological variation) is that they can be for antibiotic insensitive. This is also called natural resistance.
- by inhibition of the construction of the wall;
- by damaging the cell membrane;
- by interfering with the function of genetic material and metabolism
- by inhibiting the production of building materials (proteins)
Each type of antibiotic needs it's own point of application. For example, penicillin disturb the alignment of the cell wall so that the bacteria can not grow and eventually dies. Bacteria that have no cell wall (Mycoplasma's) are, by definition, insensitive to penicillin. The properties which have bacteria naturally (biological variation) is that they can be for antibiotic insensitive. This is also called natural resistance.
Efficacy
The efficacy of antibiotics is determined by the target in bacteria and can be divided into four groups of mechanisms:
Because each antibiotic is a specific point of application is in or on the bacterium, it can also easily resist the action of the antibiotic, for example, to pass through. This point of application to As a result of this is that the antibiotic is less good or not can be attached, the bacteria is resistant.
- inhibition of the synthesis of the cell wall (beta-lactam antibiotics, vancomycin, bactitracine);
- damaging the cell membrane (polymyxins, polyenes);
- interference with the function of the nucleic acid as part of the chromosomal DNA (nitroimidazoles, nitrofurans, quinolones, rifampin) or intermediate nucleic acid metabolism (sulfonamides, trimethoprim);
- inhibition of protein synthesis by affecting the ribosome (aminoglycosides, feicolen, lincosamides, macrolides, streptogramins, pleuromutilins, tetracyclines)
Because each antibiotic is a specific point of application is in or on the bacterium, it can also easily resist the action of the antibiotic, for example, to pass through. This point of application to As a result of this is that the antibiotic is less good or not can be attached, the bacteria is resistant.