Antimicrobial Classification

1
Antimicrobial Classification

• RTH 145
• Spring 2000

2
An Ideal Antimicrobial

• Quick acting
• Few side effects
• Quick kill of the pathogen
• Broad spectrum in action
• Water soluble

3
Classification I

• Agents that either inhibits the synthesis of or
  disrupt bacterial cell wall thru enzyme
  activation
• Examples penicillins cephalosporins

4
Classification II

• Agents that act on microbe cellular membrane,
  causing internal compartment leaks
• Examples amphotericin B, polymixin

5
Classification III

• Agents that inhibit protein synthesis, through
  ribosomal disruption
• Examples chlorampenicol, erythromycin

6
Classification IV

• Agents binding to the 30S ribosomal unit,
  inhibiting protein synthesis
• Examples the aminoglycosides such as garamycin
  and gentamycin

7
Classification V

• Agents that alter the synthesis or metabolism of
  nucleic acids
• Examples rifampin, nalidixic acid

8
Classification VI

• Agents that inhibit specific metabolic activity
  of the microbe
• Examples sulfonamides

9
Classification VII

• Agents that bind to viral enzymes preventing DNA
  synthesis, thus preventing viral replication
• Examples acyclovar, vidarabine