Diagnostic Microbiology
Antimicrobial Agents
Mechanism of Pathway(s) affected Drug Type Drug Name(s) Notes
Antimicrobial Action (Class)
Cell Wall Synthesis -Blocks final step in cross-linking of the -Beta-Lactams -Penicillins (end with -Cell walls consist of sheets of
Inhibition peptidoglycan layer “illin”) “NAM” and “NAG”
(Highest selective -Blocks early steps in peptidoglycan -Cephalosporins (begin -Beta-lactamase inhibitors
toxicity, only affects synthesis with “cep” or “cef”) (clavulanic acid / clavulanate)
growing cells) -Transpeptidases AKA Penicillin Binding -Monobactams have high affinity for (soak up)
Proteins (PBPs) connect peptide chain to (aztreonam) enzymes, used in conjuction with
NAM -Carbapenems beta lactam drugs
-Drugs bind to transpeptidases causing the (imipenem - broadest
bacterial cells to burst due to osmotic spectrum)
pressure because the integrity of the cell wall
is not maintained
Cell Wall Synthesis -Blocks early steps in peptidoglycan -Glycopeptides & -Vancomycin -GramPOS spp.
Inhibition synthesis Glycolipopeptides -MRSA
(Highest selective -prevents peptide cross-bridges from being
toxicity, only affects made
growing cells)
Cell Wall Synthesis -Blocks early steps in peptidoglycan -Cycloserine
Inhibition synthesis
(Highest selective -prevents peptide cross-bridges from being
toxicity, only affects made
growing cells)
Cell Wall Synthesis Blocks early steps in peptidoglycan synthesis -Bacitracin (found in
Inhibition -Interferes with enzymes used in transfer of Neosporin, topical)
(Highest selective building blocks to cell wall from cytoplasm
toxicity, only affects
growing cells)
Cell Wall Synthesis -Isoniazid -Against Mycobacterium
Inhibition -Ethambutol tuberculosis
(Highest selective
toxicity, only affects
growing cells)
Antimicrobial Agents
Mechanism of Pathway(s) affected Drug Type Drug Name(s) Notes
Antimicrobial Action (Class)
Cell Wall Synthesis -Blocks final step in cross-linking of the -Beta-Lactams -Penicillins (end with -Cell walls consist of sheets of
Inhibition peptidoglycan layer “illin”) “NAM” and “NAG”
(Highest selective -Blocks early steps in peptidoglycan -Cephalosporins (begin -Beta-lactamase inhibitors
toxicity, only affects synthesis with “cep” or “cef”) (clavulanic acid / clavulanate)
growing cells) -Transpeptidases AKA Penicillin Binding -Monobactams have high affinity for (soak up)
Proteins (PBPs) connect peptide chain to (aztreonam) enzymes, used in conjuction with
NAM -Carbapenems beta lactam drugs
-Drugs bind to transpeptidases causing the (imipenem - broadest
bacterial cells to burst due to osmotic spectrum)
pressure because the integrity of the cell wall
is not maintained
Cell Wall Synthesis -Blocks early steps in peptidoglycan -Glycopeptides & -Vancomycin -GramPOS spp.
Inhibition synthesis Glycolipopeptides -MRSA
(Highest selective -prevents peptide cross-bridges from being
toxicity, only affects made
growing cells)
Cell Wall Synthesis -Blocks early steps in peptidoglycan -Cycloserine
Inhibition synthesis
(Highest selective -prevents peptide cross-bridges from being
toxicity, only affects made
growing cells)
Cell Wall Synthesis Blocks early steps in peptidoglycan synthesis -Bacitracin (found in
Inhibition -Interferes with enzymes used in transfer of Neosporin, topical)
(Highest selective building blocks to cell wall from cytoplasm
toxicity, only affects
growing cells)
Cell Wall Synthesis -Isoniazid -Against Mycobacterium
Inhibition -Ethambutol tuberculosis
(Highest selective
toxicity, only affects
growing cells)
