PROTEIN INHIBITORS
A protein inhibitor drug interferes with the pathogen’s capability to synthesize
protein. The commonly used protein inhibitor drugs follow.Aminoglycosides
Aminoglycosides are a group of antibiotics that were the first to attack gram-
negative bacteria. Their disadvantage is that they can cause permanent damage
to the auditory nerve and cause kidney damage. Commonly used members of
this group of antibiotics are:- Streptomycinis used as a secondary treatment to tuberculosis. It was dis-
covered in 1944 and today is used sparingly because of its toxic effect on
humans and the fact that bacteria quickly become resistant to it. - Neomycinis a topical antibiotic used for superficial infections.
- Gentamicin is an antibiotic used to combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa
infections.
Tetracyclines
Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that attacks both gram-positive
and gram-negative bacteria. Tetracyclines are able to combat pathogens that
invade cells because they can enter body tissues. They are used against uri-
nary tract infections, rickettsial infection, and chlamydial infections. Tetra-
cyclines are also used as the secondary treatment for gonorrhea and syphilis.
The disadvantages of tetracyclines are discoloration of teeth in children and
liver damage in pregnant women. Common members of the tetracycline group
of antibiotics are:- Oxytetracyclineis a commonly used form of tetracycline that is also known
as Terramycin. - Chlortetracylineis another commonly used form of tetracycline that is also
known as Aureomycin. - Doxycyclineis a semisynthetic form of tetracycline that has a longer-lasting
effect than the natural form of tetracycline. - Minocyline is a semisynthetic form of tetracycline.
(^240) CHAPTER 16 Antimicrobial Drugs