Broad-spectrum antibiotic
A broad-
Bacterial targets
Antibiotics are often grouped by their ability to act on different bacterial groups. Although bacteria are biologically classified using taxonomy, disease-causing bacteria have historically been classified by their microscopic appearance and chemical function. The morphology of the organism may be classified as cocci, diplococci, bacilli (also known as "rods"), spiral-shaped or pleomorphic. Additional classification occurs through the organism's ability to take up the Gram stain and counter-stain; bacteria that take up the crystal violet dye stain are referred to as "gram-positive," those that take up the counterstain only are "gram-negative," and those that remain unstained are referred to as "atypical." Further classification includes their requirement for oxygen (i.e., aerobic or anaerobic), patterns of hemolysis, or other chemical properties. The most commonly encountered groupings of bacteria include gram-positive cocci, gram-negative bacilli, atypical bacteria, and anaerobic bacteria.[4] Antibiotics are often grouped by their ability to act on different bacterial groups. For example, 1st-generation cephalosporins are primarily effective against gram-positive bacteria, while 4th-generation cephalosporin s are generally effective against gram-negative bacteria.[citation needed]
Empiric antibiotic therapy
Empiric antibiotic therapy refers to the use of antibiotics to treat a suspected bacterial infection despite lack of a specific bacterial diagnosis. Definitive diagnosis of the species of bacteria often occurs through culture of blood, sputum, or urine, and can be delayed by 24 to 72 hours.[5] Antibiotics are generally given after the culture specimen has been taken from the patient in order to preserve the bacteria in the specimen and ensure accurate diagnosis.[4] Alternatively, some species may be identified through a urine or stool test.[4]
Risks
Disruption of normal microbiome
There are an estimated 38 trillion microorganisms that colonize the human body.
Examples of broad-spectrum antibiotics
In
- Doxycycline
- Minocycline
- Aminoglycosides (except for streptomycin)
- Ampicillin
- Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Augmentin)[12]
- Azithromycin[13]
- Carbapenems (e.g. imipenem)
- Piperacillin/tazobactam
- Quinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin)
- Tetracycline-class drugs (except sarecycline)
- Chloramphenicol
- Ticarcillin
- Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
- Ofloxacin
In
References
- PMID 13940450.
- ISBN 978-0-8036-8313-6.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-443-05249-1.
- ^ )
- PMID 21282489.
- PMID 27541692.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-860753-3.
- PMID 19337440.
- S2CID 20085592.
- PMID 36682724.
- PMID 33911705.
- S2CID 73495617.
- PMID 26648627.