What does beta-lactam ring mean?

A beta-lactam (β-lactam) ring is a four-membered lactam. A lactam is a cyclic amide, and beta-lactams are named so because the nitrogen atom is attached to the β-carbon atom relative to the carbonyl. The simplest β-lactam possible is 2-azetidinone.

Which antibiotics contain the beta-lactam ring?

β-lactam antibiotics (beta-lactam antibiotics) are antibiotics that contain a beta-lactam ring in their molecular structure. This includes penicillin derivatives (penams), cephalosporins and cephamycins (cephems), monobactams, carbapenems and carbacephems.

What bacteria do beta lactams treat?

These antibiotics have activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (e.g., many Enterobacteriaceae) anaerobic organisms. They are commonly used together with beta-lactamase inhibitors. Amoxicillin (PO), ampicillin (PO/IV): Upper respiratory tract infections (sinusitis, pharyngitis, otitis media)

Why are beta lactams selectively toxic?

Antibacterial compounds exhibit selective toxicity, largely due to differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure. Cell wall synthesis inhibitors, including the β-lactams, the glycopeptides, and bacitracin, interfere with peptidoglycan synthesis, making bacterial cells more prone to osmotic lysis.

What are beta-lactamases and what do they do?

Beta-lactamase provides antibiotic resistance by breaking the antibiotics’ structure. These antibiotics all have a common element in their molecular structure: a four-atom ring known as a β-lactam.

How b lactamase can help to survive the bacteria?

Beta-lactamase provides antibiotic resistance by breaking the antibiotics’ structure.

Is vancomycin a beta-lactam antibiotic?

One common alternative to penicillins is a non-β-lactam antibiotic called vancomycin (Vancocin), which was originally approved for use in 1958.

How do β lactams destroy bacteria?

β-Lactam antibiotics inhibit bacteria by binding covalently to PBPs in the cytoplasmic membrane. These target proteins catalyze the synthesis of the peptidoglycan that forms the cell wall of bacteria.

How does beta lactam work in Gram negative bacteria?

Monobactams. The beta-lactam ring stands alone and not fused to another ring. Beta-lactamase inhibitors. They work primarily by inactivating serine beta-lactamases, which are enzymes that hydrolyze and inactivate the beta-lactam ring (especially in gram-negative bacteria).

Are there any tests that do not detect beta lactamase?

Some beta-lactamase tests (iodometric and acidometric methods) may not detect certain beta-lactamases. Many bacteria that do not produce beta-lactamase will be resistant to beta-lactams by other mechanisms. This test should not be used to detect extended-spectrum beta-lactamases.

What are enzymes that hydrolyze the beta lactam ring?

Efficacy of these enzymes in hydrolyzing the beta-lactam ring, which is necessary for activity, varies widely and the enzymes could be conceived of as a family with a spectrum of activity. Those with strong proclivity for penicillins (6-aminopenicillanic acid derivatives) are called penicillinases.

What causes the production of beta lactamase in the body?

Production of beta-lactamase may be constitutive or induced by exposure to antimicrobials. Beta-lactamases hydrolyze (and thereby inactivate) the beta-lactam rings of a variety of susceptible penicillins and cephalosporins.