WK08AssgnGoodwinR.docx - 1 Antimicrobial Agents Rebecca...

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Antimicrobial Agents
Rebecca Goodwin
Walden University
NURS 6521N, Section 38, Advanced Pharmacology
January 19, 2019

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Antimicrobial Agents
Antimicrobials are used to treat infections that comprise bacterial, fungi, and protozoan
microorganisms. The spread of disease is prevented when the proper antimicrobial is used.
Therefore, it is essential to identify the pathogen causing the illness and determine if it is
bacterial or viral before therapy is selected. The purpose of this paper is to describe the
categories of antimicrobial agents, differentiate between viral and bacterial infections, and
explain the importance of properly identifying viral and bacterial pathogens when selecting
antimicrobial medications.
Categories of Antimicrobial Agents
Throughout the years since the first antibiotic was developed, many more have been
created to treat infections. Due to the numerous categories of antimicrobials available, it is
necessary to understand their efficacy, toxicity, pharmacokinetic profile, and cost to help select
the most appropriate therapy (Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur, & Reinhold, 2017). The categories
of antimicrobials are described below.
Penicillin
Penicillin inhibits bacterial cell growth by interfering with cell wall synthesis (Arcangelo
et al., 2017). Most penicillins must be given intravenously since they are unstable in an acid
environment (Arcangelo et al., 2017). When inflammation occurs, they penetrate the
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and have a wide distribution throughout the body (Arcangelo et al.,
2017). Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), upper and lower respiratory tract, urinary tract,
central nervous system infections are treated with penicillins (Arcangelo et al., 2017).
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are successfully treated with carboxypenicillins and
ureidopenicillins (Arcangelo et al., 2017). A maculopapular rash and urticaria can develop with

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hypersensitivity to penicillins, and gastrointestinal (GI) side effects are typical with oral
administration (Arcangelo et al., 2017).
Beta-Lactam/Beta-Lactamase Inhibitors
Beta-lactamase inhibitors such a clavulanic acid was combined with beta-lactam
penicillin resistance developed due to the beta-lactamase enzymes that are produced by bacteria
(Arcangelo et al., 2017). Beta-lactam is broken down by the enzymes; however, the beta-
lactamase inhibitors stop the breakdown from occurring by interfering with cell wall synthesis by
binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and inactivating them (Arcangelo et al., 2017).
Since beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors have a broad spectrum of activity, they are useful in
treating polymicrobial infections, intraabdominal and gynecological infections, and skin and soft
tissue infections (Arcangelo et al., 2017). Nausea and diarrhea are side effects of oral therapy
and hypersensitivity can occur for some individuals. Parenteral aminoglycosides and beta-
lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors are not compatible with each other (Arcangelo et al., 2017).