Microbiology

• What does it mean for GPs to prescribe antibiotics on an empiric basis?

  It means selecting an antibiotic based on experience rather than diagnostic confirmation.
• What are the advantages of prescribing antibiotics on an empiric basis?

  • Important in acute infections for prompt intervention
  • Stops the progression of diseases, especially in susceptible groups
  • Avoids costly and time-consuming diagnostic testing
  • Simplifies decision-making with large-spectrum antibiotics
• Why is empiric therapy important in acute infections?

  It ensures prompt intervention for rapidly spreading illnesses like UTIs, sepsis, and pneumonia.
• How can early antibiotic use impact mortality in susceptible groups?

  It can lessen mortality, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
• What are the financial benefits of the empiric approach to antibiotic prescribing?

  It avoids the costs and time associated with diagnostic testing, potentially preventing hospital stays.
• How does empiric therapy simplify the decision-making process for GPs?

  It allows for the use of large-spectrum antibiotics that cover a wide range of potential infections.
• What are the disadvantages of prescribing antibiotics on an empiric basis?

  • Overprescribing can promote antibiotic resistance
  • Treatment may fail if the antibiotic is ineffective against resistant strains
  • Inappropriate use without knowing the causative pathogen can be ineffective
  • Unnecessary prescriptions for self-limiting viral infections can cause side effects
• How can overprescribing antibiotics lead to antibiotic resistance?

  It kills off susceptible bacteria, allowing resistant strains to proliferate.
• What can happen if empiric therapy fails due to antibiotic resistance?

  It can lead to treatment failure if the selected antibiotic is ineffective against resistant strains.
• What is a potential issue with using empiric therapy without knowing the causative pathogen?

  It could lead to inappropriate antibiotic use, making treatment ineffective.
• What is a risk of prescribing antibiotics for self-limiting viral infections?

  It can lead to unnecessary side effects since these infections do not respond to antibiotics.
• What is one challenge associated with diagnosing infections?

  Difficulty in diagnosing can complicate treatment decisions.
• What is a significant concern related to antibiotic use?

  Antibiotic resistance is a major concern in medical treatment.
• What is a key consideration when selecting targets for antibiotics?

  Good selective targets for antibiotics should be components unique to bacteria.
• What is the significance of peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls?

  • Peptidoglycan is a key component of bacterial cell walls.
  • It is absent in eukaryotic cells.
  • Some antibiotics inhibit its biosynthesis.
• Which antibiotics are examples of those that inhibit peptidoglycan biosynthesis?

  Penicillins and cephalosporins are examples.
• How do bacterial ribosomes differ from eukaryotic ribosomes?

  • Bacterial ribosomes are 70S.
  • Eukaryotic ribosomes are 80S.
  • This difference makes bacterial ribosomes a target for antibiotics.
• How do some antibiotics interfere with bacterial protein synthesis?

  They bind to either the 30S or 50S subunit of the ribosome.
• Which antibiotics are known to interfere with bacterial protein synthesis?

  Tetracyclines and chloramphenicol are known examples.
• What is the role of DNA gyrase in bacterial nucleic acid synthesis?

  • DNA gyrase is involved in supercoiling of DNA.
  • It is a target for certain antibiotics.
• Which antibiotics target DNA gyrase?

  Quinolones such as ciprofloxacin, novobiocin, and nalidixic acid target DNA gyrase.
• What is the significance of essential metabolite production in bacteria?

  • Essential metabolite production is crucial for bacterial survival.
  • Targeting this process can inhibit bacterial growth.
• What essential metabolite production is targeted by some antibiotics?

  Folic acid production is targeted.
• Which antibiotics are examples that target folic acid production?

  Trimethoprim and sulphonamides are examples.
• What is the role of polymyxins in antibiotic action?

  • Polymyxins are lipophilic polypeptide antibiotics.
  • They target the lipopolysaccharide component of gram-negative bacteria.
  • They disrupt the integrity of the outer and inner membranes.
• What is the main topic of discussion for future pharmacists regarding bacteria?

  Strategies to reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria
• Why is it important to encourage appropriate prescribing of antibiotics?

  To ensure antibiotics are prescribed only when needed based on evidence-based guidelines
• What type of antibiotics should be advocated for to minimize the impact on the microbiome?

  Narrow-spectrum antibiotics
• Why is it important to optimize dosing regimens for antibiotics?

  To avoid underdosing, which can encourage resistance
• What public health measure should pharmacists promote to prevent bacterial infections?

  Vaccination programs
• What types of new therapies should pharmacists support to combat antibiotic resistance?

  New antibiotics, alternative therapies (e.g., bacteriophages), and diagnostic tools
• What should pharmacists discourage patients from doing with leftover antibiotics?

  Using leftover antibiotics or sharing medications with others
• What are the two types of cell wall structures that need to be differentiated?

  Gram-positive and Gram-negative cell wall structure
• Why is microbiology relevant to pharmacy?

  It helps in understanding infections and the production of medicines
• What are the main topics covered in Pharmaceutical Microbiology?

  • Production of medicines
  • Understanding infection
  • Control of microbes
  • Public health
• What is microbiology defined as?

  The study of microorganisms, a large and diverse group of microscopic organisms
• What are the general properties of microorganisms?

  They are microscopic, ubiquitous, and can exist as single cells or clusters
• What method did Koch develop for studying microorganisms?

  Pure culture methods
• What are some significant developments in microbiology?

  • Vaccines (Jenner)
  • Antiseptics/Antibiotics (Lister/Fleming)
  • Microscopy (Leeuwenhoek)
  • Sterilisation (Pasteur)
• What are the two basic cell types noted in microbiology?

  Prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells