Antibiotic classification

    Antibiotic classification refers to the categorization of antibiotics based on their chemical structure, mechanism of action, and spectrum of activity. Antibiotics are drugs that are used to treat bacterial infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

 

1. Cell wall synthesis inhibitors: These antibiotics target the bacterial cell wall, which is essential for bacterial growth and survival. Examples of antibiotics in this class include penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and monobactams.

 

2. Protein synthesis inhibitors: These antibiotics target the ribosome, which is responsible for synthesizing proteins in bacteria. Examples of antibiotics in this class include macrolides, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and chloramphenicol.

 

3. DNA synthesis inhibitors: These antibiotics target the enzymes responsible for replicating bacterial DNA. Examples of antibiotics in this class include quinolones and metronidazole.

 

4. RNA synthesis inhibitors: These antibiotics target the enzymes responsible for transcribing bacterial RNA. Rifampin is an example of an antibiotic in this class.

 

5. Metabolic inhibitors: These antibiotics target the metabolic pathways that bacteria use to synthesize essential molecules. Examples of antibiotics in this class include sulfonamides and trimethoprim. 

    Antifolates are a class of antimetabolite medications that antagonise (that is, block) the actions of folate (vitamin B9). Folate primary function in the body is as a cofactor to various methyltransferases involved in serine, methionine, thymidine and purine biosynthesis. Consequently, antifolates inhibit cell division, DNA/RNA synthesis and repair and protein synthesis. Some such as proguanil, pyrimethamine and trimethoprim selectively inhibit folate's actions in microbial organisms such as bacteria, protozoa and fungi. The majority of antifolates work by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR).