Question

Which of the following classes of antibiotics would be effective in treating a Gram-positive bacterial infection in an immunocompromised patient? Select all that apply. There may be more than 1:

A. Antimetabolites that block biosynthetic pathways.

B. Ribosome inhibitors that interfere with peptide bond formation.

C. Cell wall inhibitors

D. Ribosome inhibitors that interfere with the binding of an incoming tRNA with the mRNA.

E. Ribosome inhibitors that interfere with elongation, causing misreading.

Answer 1

Answer: C. Cell wall inhibitors

Comments: Cell wall is the differential characteristics of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The cell wall of Gram positive bacteria are thick (15-80mm) consists of several layer of peptidoglycan (major component of cell wall), rich of Teichoic acid which provides the strength to cell wall of the organisms. Cell wall inhibitor is the best option for the treatment of Gram positive bacteria. Mainly the antibiotics Penicillin, cloxacillin, and erythromycin (almost 90% of total antibiotics used for the treatment of Gram positive bacteria) these are cell wall inhibitor of Gram positive bacteria.