Anti-Infective Drugs

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Anti-infective agents are drugs utilized to exert effect on invading foreign organisms on the body,
especially those which can cause

Its scientific investigation started in the 1920s after Paul Ehrlich developed synthetic chemicals that
would be effective only against the certain proteins or enzyme systems used only by infecting
organism and not by human cells.

Drug resistance remains to be the major challenge in the use of antl-Infectives against infections.
Emergent strains are rapidly adapting to repel the effects of anti-intectives,
Mechanisms of Actions
Here is & table of commonly encountered anti-inftectives that would best explain the principles of anti-
infective therapy:

Drug Mechanism of Action

penicillins interferes with the biosynthesis of the pathogen cell wall

Inhibits invading organisms from using substances essential to their

sulfonamides
growth and development

antimycobactenal

timethoprim-—
sulfamethoxazole

Interferes with steps iInvolwes in protein synthesis thereby rendering cell

aminoglycosides
division non-functional

macrolides

chicramphenicoal

interferes with DAA synthesis leading to inability to divide and

flucoroquinslones
ultimately, cell death

Alteration of cell membrane permeability leading to leakage of

antifungals
essential cellular components and cell death

antiprotozoals

other antibiotics
Therapeutic Action
Anti-infective agents act on invading organisms in several different ways as mentioned above.

The goal of therapy is interference with the normal function of the invading organisms to
prevent them from reproducing and thereby causing cell death.
Narrow-spectrum anti-infectives are agents that are so selective in their action that they are
effective against only a few microorganisms.
Broad-spectrum anti-infectives are agents that interfere with biochemical reactions in many
different kinds of microorganisms.
Anti-infectives that can cause cell death are said to have bactericidal effects.
Anti-infectives that can interfere with the ability of the cells to reproduce or divide are said to
have bacteriostatic effects.
Resistance
Over time, invading pathogens develop resistance to anti-infectives.

Resistance is the ability over time to adapt to an anti-infective drug and produce cells that are no
longer affected by a particular drug. Here are a number of ways that microorganisms can develop
resistance:

Enzyme production. Strains of bacteria that were once susceptible to penicillin can now
produce an enzyme called penicillinase which inactivates penicillins before they can exert their
effect to the bacteria.
Cell membrane permeability alteration. This prevents the drug from entering the cell. Some
bacteria alter transport systems to prevent the drug from being transported actively into the
cell.
Binding site alteration. Prevents the drug from being accepted into the cell.
Chemical production. Acts as antagonist to the drug.
Vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled) is an antibiotic that interferes with cell wall synthesis in susceptible
bacteria, This was developed as a result ofa need fora drug that could be used for patients who are
allergic to penicillin and cephalosporins as well as in treatment of patients who have staphylococca
infections resistant to penicillins and/or cephalosporins. It is highly-toxic that it is reserved only for
certain situations as It can cause renal failure, ototoxicity, superinfections, and red man syndrome
(sudden and severe _Tever, chills, paresthesias, and erythema or redness of the neck and
back),
Prevention of Resistance
Drug resistance and emergence of new strains remain a public health concern. Here are a number of
ways in which nurses can facilitate prevention of resistance:

* Drug dosing. The may collaborate with the physician for around-the-clock dosing to
eliminate the peaks and valleys in drug concentration. This also helps maintain a constant
therapeutic level to prevent the emergence of resistant microbes during times of low
concentration.
Drug duration. The nurse should emphasized the importance of finishing the prescribed
duration (correct number of times each day for the full number of days) of anti-infective
therapy to ensure that microbes are completely eliminated and are not given the chance to
grow and develop resistant strains.
Indications
Here are some important aspects to remember for indication of anti-infectives:

Children

Use with caution as early exposure can lead to early sensitivity.

Use of antibiotics in pediatric ear infections (which might be a viral infection) may contribute to
development of drug resistance.
Children are susceptible to gastrointestinal (Gl) and nervous system effects of anti-infectives so
it is important to monitor their hydration and nutritional status carefully.

Adults

e This age group tend to demand for quick cure to various signs and symptoms. Therefore, drug
allergies and emergence of resistant strains can be a big problem with this group.
e Extra caution is exercised in pregnant and lactating women because many of these agents have
teratogenic effects to the fetus and can cross into breast milk.
Older adults

¢ They present with manifestations that are different than younger age groups so culture and
sensitivity tests are important to determine the type and extent of infection.
¢ They are susceptible to severe Gl, renal, and neurological effects and must be monitored for
nutritional status and hydration during drug therapy.
e Their liver function should always be taken in consideration when for anti-intective
therapy.
Adverse Effects
Use of anti-intectives may result to these adverse effects:

Kidney damage. Drugs like aminoglycosides have direct toxic effect on the fragile cells in the
kidney and can cause conditions ranging from renal dysfunction to full-blown renal failure.
Patients should be kept well-hydrate throughout drug therapy course to facilitate drug
excretion.
GI toxicity. Many anti-infectives have direct toxic effects on the cells lining the GIT causing
nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, and diarrhea. Some drugs have toxic effects on the liver
causing hepatitis and even liver failure.
Neurotoxicity. Some anti-infectives can damage or interfere with the function of nerve tissue,
usually in areas where drugs tend to accumulate in high concentrations. For example,
aminoglycoside antibiotics collect in the 8 cranial nerve and can cause dizziness, vertigo, and
loss of hearing. Chloroquine, a drug for treatment of malaria can accumulate in the retina and
optic nerve and cause blindness.
Hypersensitivity Reactions. Most agents are protein bound for transfer through the
cardiovascular system and are able to induce antibody formation in susceptible people. With
next exposure, immediate or delayed allergic responses may occur.
Superinfections. Broad-spectrum anti-infectives can destroy normal flora. Superinfections are
infections that occur when opportunistic pathogens that were kept in check by normal flora
bacteria have the opportunity to invade tissues. Common causes of superinfections are Proteus
and Pseudamonas.
 END OF DISCUSSION

Anti-Infective Drugs