Beta Lactams
One sometimes finds what one is not looking for - Alexander Fleming
.jpg)
image by: The Beta Lactams
HWN Suggests
Beta lactams antibiotics: The greatest discovery, the biggest danger
The first discovered antibiotic is penicillin, which is one of the three greatest drugs in the history of medicines. Penicillin was first isolated by the Scottish Scientist Alexander Fleming from samples of mold (Penicillium notatum) that contaminated a culture dish of Staphylococcus, producing a clear ring (lack of bacterial growth) around the mold. He subsequently purified the active ingredient from "mold juice", and found that it could kill a wide range of harmful bacterial, including streptococcus, meningococcus and the diphtheria bacillus. However, Fleming did not extend his work to clinical study because he was not able to purify enough penicillin for the experiments. The use of penicillin…
Resources
Approach to beta-lactam allergy in critical care
Fortunately, allergic reactions to the core beta-lactam ring structure don't seem to exist. Therefore, if a patient is allergic to one beta-lactam, this doesn't mean that they will necessarily be allergic to all drugs in this class.
Beta Lactamases: Introduction, Its Types and Various Detection Methods
Beta Lactamases is the commonest cause of bacterial resistance to β – lactam antibiotics. These enzymes are produced by some bacteria and confer resistance to β -lactam antibacterials. These antibacterials are called so because of the four atom β – lactam ring in their molecular structure (with the ring mimicking two amino acids in the pentapeptide cross-link of the peptidoglycan bacterial cell wall). β -lactamases enzyme breaks this ring open, deactivating the molecule’s antibacterial properties.
Beta-lactam allergy in the paediatric population
It was previously believed that cephalosporin allergy occurred in 10% to 20% of penicillin-allergic individuals, and that they should avoid all cephalosporins. However, it is now understood that this occurrence rate was an overestimation, and that associated precautions were overly restrictive.
Origins of the β-lactam rings in natural products
Although penicillin was the first β-lactam compound discovered, we now recognize a whole family of natural products, unified by their possession of the distinctive four-membered β-lactam ring.
The Chemical Relationship Among Beta-Lactam Antibiotics and Potential Impacts on Reactivity and Decomposition
Beta-lactam antibiotics remain one of the most commonly prescribed drug classes, but they are limited by their propensity to cause hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., from allergy to anaphylaxis) as well as by the emergence of bacteria with a myriad of resistance mechanisms such as β-lactamases.
The Odd Couple(s): An Overview of Beta-Lactam Antibiotics Bearing More Than One Pharmacophoric Group
β-lactam antibiotics are a broad group of molecules that are naturally produced by different organisms (molds belonging to Penicillium spp. and Cephalosporium spp. for penicillins and cephalosporins, respectively, and bacteria belonging to different species for monobactams and carbapenems).
What is Beta Lactam Antibiotics?
The functional classification approach yielded three primary groups: Group 1 cephalosphorinases (Class C), Group 2 serine-lactamases (Class A and Class D), and Group 3 metallo-lactamases (Class B), each of which is further subdivided into subgroups.
Why We May Need Higher Doses of Beta-Lactam Antibiotics: Introducing the ‘Maximum Tolerable Dose’
The surge in antimicrobial resistance and the limited availability of new antimicrobial drugs has fueled the interest in optimizing antibiotic dosing. An ideal dosing regimen leads to maximal bacterial cell kill, whilst minimizing the risk of toxicity or antimicrobial resistance.
Beta lactams antibiotics: The greatest discovery, the biggest danger
With the diverse chemical structure of beta-lactams molecules and their respective antibacterial potency, semi-synthetic beta-lactam compounds have been developed continuously and systematically.
List of β-lactam antibiotics
This is a list of common β-lactam antibiotics—both administered drugs and those not in clinical use—organized by structural class.
StatPearls
Beta-lactam antibiotics are one of the most commonly prescribed drug classes with numerous clinical indications. Their advent starting from the 30s of the twentieth century drastically changed the fight against bacterial infectious diseases.
Introducing Stitches!
Your Path to Meaningful Connections in the World of Health and Medicine
Connect, Collaborate, and Engage!
Coming Soon - Stitches, the innovative chat app from the creators of HWN. Join meaningful conversations on health and medical topics. Share text, images, and videos seamlessly. Connect directly within HWN's topic pages and articles.
