β-lactam antibiotics are a broad class of antibiotics which include penicillin derivatives, cephalosporins, monobactams, carbapenems and β-lactamase inhibitors; basically any antibiotic agent which contains a β-lactam nucleus in its molecular structure. They are the most widely used group of antibiotics available.

Clinical use

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β-lactam antibiotics are indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of bacterial infections caused by susceptible organisms. Whilst, traditionally, β-lactam antibiotics were mainly active only against Gram-positive bacteria, the development of broad-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics active against various Gram-negative organisms has increased the usefulness of the β-lactam antibiotics.

Mode of action

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β-Lactam antibiotics are bactericidal, and act by inhibiting the synthesis of the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls. The peptidoglycan layer is important for cell wall structural integrity, especially in Gram-positive organisms. The final transpeptidation step in the synthesis of the peptidoglycan is facilitated by transpeptidases known as penicillin binding proteins (PBPs).

β-lactam antibiotics are analogues of D-alanyl-D-alanine - the terminal amino acid residues on the precursor NAM/NAG-peptide subunits of the nascent peptidoglycan layer. The structural similarity between β-lactam antibiotics and D-alanyl-D-alanine facilitates their binding to the active site of penicillin binding proteins (PBPs). The β-lactam nucleus of the molecule irreversibly binds to (acylates) the Ser₄₀₃ residue of the PBP active site. This irreversible inhibition of the PBPs prevents the final crosslinking (transpeptidation) of the nascent peptidoglycan layer, disrupting cell wall synthesis. Inhibition of PBPs may also lead to the activation of autolytic enzymes in the bacterial cell wall.

Modes of resistance

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By definition, all β-lactam antibiotics have a β-lactam ring in their structure. The effectiveness of these antibiotics relies on their ability to reach the PBP intact and their ability to bind to the PBP. Hence, there are 2 main modes of bacterial resistance to β-lactams, as discussed below.

The first mode of β-lactam resistance is due to enzymatic hydrolysis of the β-lactam ring. If the bacteria produces the enzymes β-lactamase or penicillinase, these enzymes will break open the β-lactam ring of the antibiotic, rendering the antibiotic ineffective. The genes encoding these enzymes may be inherently present on the bacterial chromosome or may be acquired via plasmid transfer, and beta-lactamase gene expression may be induced by exposure to beta-lactams. The production of a β-lactamase by a bacterium does not necessarily rule out all treatment options with β-lactam antibiotics. In some instances, β-lactam antibiotics may be co-administered with a β-lactamase inhibitor.

However, in all cases where infection with β-lactamase-producing bacteria is suspected, the choice of a suitable β-lactam antibiotic should be carefully considered prior to treatment. In particular, choosing appropriate β-lactam antibiotic therapy is highly important against organisms with inducible β-lactamase expression. If β-lactamase production is inducible, then failure to use the most appropriate β-lactam antibiotic therapy at the onset of treatment will result in induction of β-lactamase production, thereby making further efforts with other β-lactam antibiotics more difficult.

The second mode of β-lactam resistance is due to possession of altered penicillin binding proteins. β-lactams cannot bind as effectively to these altered PBPs, and as a result, the β-lactams are less effective at disrupting cell wall synthesis. Notable examples of this mode of resistance include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. Altered PBPs do not necessarily rule out all treatment options with β-lactam antibiotics.

Common β-lactam antibiotics

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Penicillins

Main article: penicillin

Narrow spectrum penicillins

• benzathine penicillin
• benzylpenicillin (penicillin G)
• phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V)
• procaine penicillin

Narrow spectrum penicillinase-resistant penicillins

• methicillin
• dicloxacillin
• flucloxacillin

Moderate spectrum penicillins

• amoxicillin
• ampicillin

Broad spectrum penicillins

• co-amoxiclav (amoxycillin+clavulanic acid)

Extended Spectrum Penicillins

• azlocillin
• carbenicillin
• ticarcillin
• mezlocillin
• piperacillin

Cephalosporins

Main article: cephalosporin

First generation cephalosporins

Moderate spectrum.

• cefalexin
• cephalothin
• cefazolin

Second generation cephalosporins

Moderate spectrum with anti-Haemophilus activity.

• cefaclor
• cefuroxime
• cefamandole

Second generation cephamycins

Moderate spectrum with anti-anaerobic activity.

• cefotetan
• cefoxitin

Third generation cephalosporins

Broad spectrum.

• ceftriaxone
• cefotaxime

Broad spectrum with anti-Pseudomonas activity.

• ceftazidime

Fourth generation cephalosporins

Broad spectrum with enhanced activity against Gram positive bacteria and beta-lactamase stability.

• cefepime
• cefpirome

Carbapenems

Main article: carbapenem

Broadest spectrum of beta-lactam antibiotics.

• imipenem (with cilastatin)
• meropenem
• ertapenem
• faropenem

Monobactams

Unlike other beta-lactams, there is no fused ring attached to beta-lactam nucleus. Thus, there is less probability of cross-sensitivity reactions.

• aztreonam

Beta-lactamase inhibitors

No antimicrobial activity. Their sole purpose is to prevent the inactivation of beta-lactam antibiotics by beta-lactamases, and as such, they are co-administered with beta-lactam antibiotics.

• clavulanic acid
• tazobactam
• sulbactam

Adverse effects

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Adverse drug reactions

Common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) for the β-lactam antibiotics include: diarrhoea, nausea, rash, urticaria, superinfection (including candidiasis). (Rossi, 2004)

Infrequent ADRs include: fever, vomiting, erythema, dermatitis, angioedema, pseudomembranous colitis. (Rossi, 2004)

Pain and inflammation at the injection site is also common for parenterally-administered β-lactam antibiotics.

Allergy/hypersensitivity

Allergic reactions to any β-lactam antibiotic may occur in up to 10% of patients receiving that agent. Anaphylaxis will occur in approximately 0.01% of patients. (Rossi, 2004) There is perhaps a 5-10% cross-sensitivity between penicillin-derivatives, cephalosporins and carbapenems; but this figure has been challenged by various investigators.

Nevertheless, the risk of cross-reactivity is sufficient to warrant the contraindication of all β-lactam antibiotics in patients with a history of severe allergic reactions (urticaria, anaphylaxis, interstitial nephritis) to any β-lactam antibiotic.

References

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• Rossi S (Ed.) (2004). Australian Medicines Handbook 2004. Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook. ISBN 0-9578521-4-2.

Beta-lactam antibiotics

Β-Lactam-Antibiotika | Antibiótico betalactámico | Antibiotique bêta-lactame | Β-ラクタム系抗生物質