Module 2. Pharm Learning Objectives

Module 2 Pharm Learning Objectives 1. Define selective toxicity as it applies to the general mechanisms by which antibiotics work against invading pathogens but not against host cells.  Refers to the ability of a drug to injure invading microbes without injuring cells ofthe host  Selective toxicity is toxic to microbes but harmless to the host.  Differences in cellular chemistry of mammals and microbes. We can use the differences to kill the microbes without killing the host  Disruption of bacterial protein synthesis and cell wall is a couple of ways that selective toxicity microbes work  Inhibition of an enzyme unique to bacteria is another strategy to get the microbes without doing anything to the host 2. Give a working definition of narrow-spectrum antibiotics and broad-spectrum antibiotics and state when one or the other would be preferred as a therapeutic approach and why.  Narrow- Spectrum antibiotics are active against only a few microorganisms, Narrow-spectrum are preferred when the infecting organism is known, as they target specific bacteria and cause less harm to normal flora.  Board-spectrum antibiotics are a major concern in antimicrobial therapy, they are preferred when the infecting organism is unknown, as they can cover a wide rangeof potential pathogens 3. Explain the fundamental difference between bactericidal and bacteriostatic drugs and state the host-related factors required for successful therapy with a bacteriostatic agent.  Bactericidal = Drugs are directly lethal to bacteria at clinically achievable concentrations ( kills the bacteria)  Bacteriostatic= Drugs can slow bacterial growth but do not cause cell death ( prevent bacteria from multiplying)  Host-related factors required for successful therapy with a bacteriostatic agent include a healthy immune system to help control and clear the infection, sufficienttissue perfusion to allow the drug to reach the site of infection, and proper dosing and administration of a bacteriostatic agent to maintain effective drug levels in thebody. 4. State the main mechanisms by which microbes develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Also, address the important issues of spontaneous mutations and R factors.  Microbes can develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs through mechanisms such as the genetic mutation that makes them immune to the drugs' effects and the acquisition of R factors, which are genetic elements that contain genes for drug resistance 5. Explain the general rationale and need for using antibiotics in combination as well as situations in which antibiotic combinations should be avoided.  Although combinations of antibiotics should generally be avoided they are appropriate in some situations including

1. Initial treatment of severe infections2. Infections with more than one organism3. Treatment of tuberculosis4. Treatment of an infection in which combination therapy can greatly enhance antibacterial effects 6. Describe generally accepted indications for prophylactic antimicrobial therapy.  Appropriate indication for prophylactic antimicrobial treatment includes 1. Certain surgeries2. Neutropenia3. Recurrent UTI’s4. Patients at risk of bacterial endocarditis( those with prosthetic heart valves or congenital heart disease) 7. Summarize the basic principles of how vaccines work versus an IV immunoglobulin infusion.  Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to recognize and remember specific pathogens, while an IV immunoglobulin infusion provides ready-made antibodies to immediately fight off infections