Anti-Bacterial Drugs
There are 4 major targets of bacterial antibiotics which are commonly used. Antibiotics are either bactericidal (directly kill bacteria) or bacteriostatic (inhibit cell growth).
Target Cell Wall
The cell wall is very important in bacteria as it is needed to withstand turgor pressure.
It is made from peptidoglycan which is much thicker in Gram +ve bacteria.

The cell wall is made from a cell wall pentapeptide precursor, which is added to a peptidoglycan chain.
This peptide strands cross-link, making the cell wall strong.
This gives the bacteria the strength to withstand turgor pressure.
This uses an enzyme called transpeptidase, which first binds to the precursor pentapeptide by its D-Ala-D-Ala end.
Many antibiotics interfere with this transpeptidase enzyme, preventing synthesis of the cell wall.
Beta-lactam antibiotics – Penicillins
These have a beta-lactam ring which looks similar to the terminal D-Ala-D-Ala.
They irreversibly bind the bacterial transpeptidase and prevent cross-linking of the peptidoglycan strands.
They are bactericidal and are particularly effective against Gram-positive bacteria due to their thick cell wall.
Penicillin G
This is an early penicillin which only treats Gram +ve bacteria
Flucloxacillin
A penicillin-type antibiotic which is used mainly against Staphylococcus Aureus
Ampicillin, Amoxicillin
These are extended spectrum which treat both Gram +ve and –ve bacteria
Side effects
Hypersensitivity reaction (rash, GI upset, Steven’s Johnson syndrome) seen in 10%
Amoxicillin – gives a rash with infectious mononucleosis
Flucloxacillin, co-amoxiclav – can give cholestasis
One problem is that bacteria produce the enzyme Beta-lactamase which inactivates the antibiotic.
To overcome this, these antibiotics are often co-administered which B-lactamase inhibitors:
Clavulanic acid, sulbactam, tazobactam
These are beta-lactamase inhibitors which protect penicillins
Co-Amoxiclav = Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid
Tazosin = Piperacillin + Tazobactam
Cephalosporins
These have the same mechanism of action as penicillins.
They exist in many generations, with each successive generation increasingly resistant to penicillinases.
Cephalexin
This has activity against some Gram +ve and –ve organisms
Ceftriaxone
This has enhanced activity against Gram negative organisms.
It can also cross the bloodbrain barrier and so is used in the treatment of meningitis.
Side effects
May cause superinfection – commonest cause of hospital acquired C-difficile colitis
Alcohol intolerance
Potential cross reaction with penicillin – people with anaphylactic reactions to penicillin should avoid cephalosporins
Aztreonam
This is a beta-lactam antibiotic which is resistant to β-lactamases.
It is used to treat Gram negative infections, e.g., pseudomonas aeruginosa
Carbapenem, meropenem
These are very broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics which are used to treat severe or resistant infections.
They are often used after previous antibiotics have been unsuccessful and they can lower the seizure threshold.
Side effects
Can cause seizures
Other inhibitors of cell wall synthesis
Vancomycin/Teicoplanin
These are glycopeptide antibiotics which prevent the peptidoglycan strand from growing by binding D-Ala-D-Ala, making it unavailable to the transpeptidase enzyme.
Used in Gram +ve infections in patients allergic to penicillin and cephalosporins.
They are also used to treat antibiotic resistant C. difficile and MRSA infections.
Side effects
Anaphylactic like “red neck” syndrome – due to release of histamine
Nephrotoxicity
Ototoxicity
Thrombophlebitis
5-HT syndrome
Vancomycin resistant bacteria
There are newer antibiotics which are used to treat vancomycin resistant bacteria:
Linezolid
This binds 50s subunit to stop protein synthesis.
It has been used to treat MRSA, VRE and multi-drug resistant pneumonia
Synercid
This inhibits protein synthesis and also treats MRSA, VRE and resistant streptococci
Quinupristin/Dalfopristin
This is a combination of 2 antibiotics used to treat VRE and staphylococci
They bind different sites on the 50S ribosomal subunit inhibiting protein synthesis
Target Folic Acid Synthesis
The synthesis of tetrahydrofolate is essential, as it is required to make dTMP, which is needed to make DNA.
Bacteria must make the folate skeleton themselves, whereas humans can obtain it from their diet.
Synthesis is achieved by two key enzymes: dihydropteroate synthase and dihydrofolate reductase.
This pathway is targeted to prevent DNA synthesis, stopping bacterial replication.
Therefore, there is a group of antibiotics called sulphonamides which specifically target this pathway:

Sulfamethoxazole
This is an analogue of paraaminobenzoate.
It inhibits dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) to stop folic acid synthesis.
Trimethoprim
This is an inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR)
It is often first-line for simple lower urinary tract infections.
It has teratogenic potential, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Co-trimoxazole
This is a combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim.
The combination causes very fast depletion of tetrahydrofolate and is very effective for pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP).
Side effects
Can cause hypersensitivity – rashes, pruritus and Stevens Johnson syndrome
Suppression of haematopoiesis – gives megaloblastic anaemia, leukopenia
Target DNA Replication
Fluoroquinolones – Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin
These drugs inhibit the bacterial topoisomerase which organise the DNA.
This leads to interference with DNA replication, stopping bacteria from multiplying.
Side effects
Cartilage toxicity – weak tendons and tendonitis
Lengthens QT interval
Lowers seizure threshold in patients with epilepsy
Rifampicin
This binds to bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase to stop RNA synthesis
Side effects
Body secretions turned orange
Hepatitis (inducer of CYP 450 enzyme)
Nitrofurantoin
This causes bacterial DNA damage by an unknown mechanism. It is used in lower urinary tract infections.
Side effects
Lower lobe pulmonary fibrosis (but can be taken during pregnancy)
Metronidazole
This inhibits DNA synthesis and is used mainly against anaerobic bacteria.
It is also useful in the treatment of intra-abdominal abscesses.
Side effects
- Disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol
Target Protein Biosynthesis
Antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis are usually bacteriostatic.
In protein translation, the 30S subunit binds mRNA to form the initiation complex.
The 50S subunit then joins with the aminoacyl-tRNA and uses the enzyme peptidyl transferase for elongation.
Antibiotics typically target the 30S or 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, which is unique to bacteria.

Aminoglycosides – Streptomycin, gentamicin
These bind to the 30S subunit in the initiation complex, which causes a misreading of the mRNA, stopping protein synthesis.
They are used to treat many Gram-negative infections.
Side effects
Ototoxicity
Nephrotoxicity
Tetracyclines – Lymecycline
These bind to the 30S subunit and stop binding of the tRNA.
They are used against both Gram negative and positive bacteria.
They should not be taken alongside milk or iron containing foods as Ca2+ and Fe2+ reduce antibiotic absorption in the gut.
Side effects
Photosensitivity
Teeth discoloration so not used in children
Chloramphenicol
This is a very broad-spectrum antibiotic which binds the 50S subunit inhibiting peptidyl transferase.
It is limited to infections that cannot be treated with other drugs.
Side effects
Aplastic anaemia
Grey baby syndrome – babies lack the enzyme to conjugate the antibiotic in the liver. Hence it builds up in the blood causing shock and cyanosis.
Macrolides – Erythromycin
These drugs also bind to the 50s subunit and inhibit bacterial protein elongation.
They are commonly used against Gram-positive organisms in people who are allergic to penicillin.
Side effects
Nausea
Inhibits CYPP450 enzyme
Prolong QT interval
Gives reaction with statin
Clindamycin
This acts very similarly to macrolides and is used mainly against anaerobic bacteria.
Side effects
C. difficile infection (diarrhoea)
Targeting Mycobacteria
Mycobacteria are a subset of bacteria which are aerobic and difficult to treat using standard antibiotics.
They do not Gram stain as they have a thick external waxy lipid coat.
They have a cell wall made of mycolic acid, unique to mycobacteria.

Isoniazid (INH)
This is a prodrug that becomes activated in M. tuberculosis.
It inhibits cell wall synthesis by stopping enzymes needed for mycolic acid synthesis.
Side effects
It inhibits formation of active pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) causing peripheral neuropathy. Therefore, it is given with prophylactic pyridoxine
Hepatitis
Inhibits CYP450 enzyme
Rifampicin
This binds to bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase to stop RNA synthesis
Used in combination to treat TB and also in prophylactic treatment of meningococci and H. Influenzae
Side effects
Body secretions are coloured orange (e.g. stains contact lenses)
Hepatitis
Induces CYP450 enzyme
Flu-like symptoms
Pyrazinamide
This inhibits mycobacterial cell wall formation by targeting mycolic acid synthesis.
It is effective in the acidic pH of phagosomes, where engulfed mycobacteria are found in macrophages.
Side effects
Hepatitis
Arthralgia
Inhibits uric acid secretion giving hyperuricaemia leading to gout (taken with probenecid)
Ethambutol
This inhibits key enzymes involved in mycolic acid cell wall biosynthesis
Side effects
Causes optic neuritis (e.g. colour blindness, visual acuity)
Important to pre-test visual acuity and continue to monitor throughout treatment, especially in renal failure, as kidney impairment can reduce the excretion of ethambutol.
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