Question
A 50 years old lady complains of pain in the throat and has been diagnosed to
have streptococcal tonsillitis. Answer the following:
(a) Name two appropriate drugs for it. 1 mark(s)
(b) Name two bactericidal and two bacteriostatic drugs 1 mark(s)
(c) Explain briefly the mechanism of action of penicillins 2 mark(s)
(d) What are the adverse effects of amino glycosides. 2 mark(s)
Q1 6 marks Essays ★ ✓
Answer
(a) Two appropriate drugs for streptococcal tonsillitis
Penicillin V (or Amoxicillin)
Erythromycin (alternative in penicillin allergy)
(b) Bactericidal and bacteriostatic drugs
Bactericidal: Penicillin, Aminoglycosides (e.g., Gentamicin)
Bacteriostatic: Erythromycin, Tetracycline
(c) Mechanism of action of penicillins
Bind irreversibly to penicillin-binding proteins (transpeptidases), inhibiting the cross-linking (transpeptidation) of peptidoglycan chains in the bacterial cell wall
This weakens the cell wall, and combined with activation of autolytic enzymes, leads to bacterial cell lysis and death (bactericidal), particularly in actively dividing organisms
(d) Adverse effects of aminoglycosides
Ototoxicity (vestibular and auditory, often irreversible)
Nephrotoxicity (reversible)
Neuromuscular blockade (can worsen myasthenia gravis)
Hypersensitivity reactions
1 Beta Lactam Antibiotics
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