General Facts and Figures Classification Presentation History Physical Exam Labs Radiology Diagnosis Criteria for diagnosis Differential Microbiology General Specific organisms Pharmacology Drug Classes Mechanism of action Resistance Treatment General Site of care Medication Duration Assessment of response Prevention References Literature cited Complete bibliography Links More...		Pharmacology Mechanism of Action cell wall synthesis inhibitors beta-lactams - 4-membered beta-lactam ring interacts with bacterial enzymes (penicillin-binding proteins - PBPs) to prevent cross-linking of peptidogylcan vancomycin - inhibits peptidoglycan synthesis; large molecule - does not penetrate outer membrane of gram-negatives cycloserine - inhibits enzymes involved in peptidogycan synthesis DNA synthesis inhibitors trimethoprim/sulfonamides - inhibit folic acid metabolism by competitively blocking biosynthesis of tetrahydrofolate (drugs act at different steps in the pathway) metronidazole - drug is reduced in bacteria and causes breaks in DNA quinolones - bind to DNA gyrase and inhibit replication Inhibitors of translation and transcription aminoglycosides - bind to 30S ribosomal subunit and inhibit protein synthesis tetracyclines - bind to 30S ribosomal subunit, prevent binding of tRNA and inhibit protein synthesis macrolides - bind to 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibit protein synthesis clindamycin - bind to 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibit protein synthesis chloramphenicol - bind to 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibit protein synthesis rifampin - binds to RNA polymerase and prevents initiation

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