bacterial cell wall/membrane disruptors

• cell wall dynamics

  • cell walls are not fixed once the bacteria is formed
  • the cell wall must be opened and expanded for growth, cell division andd capping after cell division
  • once opened, the wall must be re-closed by transpeptidases
  • when the cell wall synthesis is inhibited by beta lactam antibiotics, the auto-degradation of the cell wall will lead to the lysis of the bacilli
• oral antibiotics

  • less expensive to prepare and administer
  • more convenient for most patients
  • more convenient for long term care
  • risk of disturbing normal intestinal flora
  • impractical for patients in coma w/ serious infections
  • often tough for pediatric practice
• parenteral antibiotics

  • quicker onset of action
  • easier to control the plasma drug level
  • higher bioavailability
  • better pt compliance if given in clinic
  • better pt monitoring
  • easier for the design of medications against serious infections
  • expensive
  • hard to obtain from outside the hospital