Cephalosporins 3-Lactams

Vancomycin and teicoplanin display excellent activity against staphylococci and streptococci, but because of the wide availability of equally effective and less toxic drugs, they are second-line drugs in the treatment of most infections. As antistaphylococcal agents they are less effective than 3-lactam cephalosporin antibiotics, such as nafciUin and cefazoUn. They have attained much wider use in recent years as a consequence of the emergence of methicUlin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections, in particular the growing importance of Staphylococcus epidermidis infections associated with the use of intravascular catheters and in patients with peritonitis who are on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. 

Roberts J (1992) Antibiotics [(3-lactams (cephalosporins)]. Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th edn, Vol 3. Wiley, New York,... 

Finally, it has to be noted that glycopeptides only represent one option to combat infections by gram-positive bacteria. Current research is focused on other cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors (e.g., (3-lactams, cephalosporins) or even on the development of antibacterial agents (e.g., tetracyclines, ketohdes, and quinolone antibiotics) against other targets.An important drug candidate in this context is hnezolid (Zyvox), which is an entirely synthetic oxazolidinone antibiotic with in vitro and in vivo efficiency against MRS A and VRE. ... 

A variety of enzymatic mechanisms for antibiotic resistance are known. Hydrolysis of the lactam rings of /3-lactams, cephalosporins, and carbapenams destroys their ability to inhibit transpeptidases that cross-link peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls. Modification of aminoglycoside antibiotics by acetylation, phosphorylation, or adenylation interferes with their ability to bind to the 16S subunit of the ribosome. Streptogramin activity can be destroyed by acetylation or by an elimination reaction that opens the lactone ring. The enzymes responsible for these detoxification reactions evolved in response to naturally occurring antibiotics, but are easily adapted to modify semisynthetic and completely synthetic antibiotics. For example, only a few point mutations are needed to enhance the ability of TEM /3-lactamases to hydrolyze third-generation cephalosporins such as cefotaxime and ceftazidime. ... 

ANTTBIOTTCS - BETA-LACTAMS - CEPHALOSPORINS] (Vol 3) Cefepime (BMY28142) [88040-23-7]... 

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