Question
Mention Two drugs which can be given to treat enteric fever. Explain the mechanism of action, uses and adverse effects of any one. (2+4)
Answer
Two drugs for enteric fever: Ceftriaxone, Azithromycin.
Ceftriaxone — mechanism, uses, adverse effects Mechanism: a third-generation cephalosporin; binds penicillin-binding proteins (transpeptidases), inhibiting peptidoglycan cross-linking, causing bactericidal cell wall failure — with substantially expanded Gram-negative coverage and beta-lactamase stability compared to earlier generations, giving reliable activity against Salmonella typhi including many resistant strains.
Uses: enteric fever (typhoid), bacterial meningitis, gonorrhoea, severe Gram-negative sepsis, community-acquired pneumonia.
Adverse effects: hypersensitivity reactions (partial cross-reactivity with penicillin allergy), diarrhea, biliary sludging (from biliary excretion), increased C. difficile colitis risk with broad-spectrum use.

