CEPHALOSPORIN ANTIBIOTIC Meaning and
Definition
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A cephalosporin antibiotic is a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat various bacterial infections. It belongs to the group of β-lactam antibiotics, which also includes penicillins and carbapenems. Cephalosporins were first isolated from the fungus Cephalosporium in the 1940s and have since become widely used in clinical settings.
These antibiotics work by inhibiting the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall, leading to cell lysis and death. They are effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, making them one of the most versatile classes of antibiotics available. Cephalosporins are commonly used to treat respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, and other types of bacterial infections.
Cephalosporins are classified into generations based on their antimicrobial spectrum and resistance to β-lactamases, enzymes produced by bacteria that can break down β-lactam antibiotics. The first generation cephalosporins are effective against mainly gram-positive bacteria, while subsequent generations are more effective against gram-negative bacteria. Higher generations also exhibit increased resistance to β-lactamases, leading to improved efficacy against resistant bacterial strains.
While generally safe and well-tolerated, cephalosporins can sometimes cause adverse effects like allergic reactions, gastrointestinal disturbances, and kidney toxicity. It is important for healthcare professionals to consider individual patient characteristics, such as age, kidney function, and allergies when prescribing cephalosporin antibiotics. Additionally, the overuse or misuse of these antibiotics can contribute to antibiotic resistance, making appropriate antibiotic stewardship crucial in managing bacterial infections.
Common Misspellings for CEPHALOSPORIN ANTIBIOTIC
- xephalosporin antibiotic
- vephalosporin antibiotic
- fephalosporin antibiotic
- dephalosporin antibiotic
- cwphalosporin antibiotic
- csphalosporin antibiotic
- cdphalosporin antibiotic
- crphalosporin antibiotic
- c4phalosporin antibiotic
- c3phalosporin antibiotic
- ceohalosporin antibiotic
- celhalosporin antibiotic
- ce0halosporin antibiotic
- cepgalosporin antibiotic
- cepbalosporin antibiotic
- cepnalosporin antibiotic
- cepjalosporin antibiotic
- cepualosporin antibiotic
- cepyalosporin antibiotic
- cephzlosporin antibiotic
Etymology of CEPHALOSPORIN ANTIBIOTIC
The word "cephalosporin" is derived from the Greek word "kephalḗ" meaning "head" or "crown" and "sphéra" meaning "a ball" or "a sphere". This name was chosen because the chemical structure of cephalosporins consists of a β-lactam ring fused to a six-membered dihydrothiazine ring, resembling a crown or a head.
The term "cephalosporin" was first introduced by the scientist Giuseppe Brotzu in 1945, who discovered the cephalosporin nucleus from the Cephalosporium fungus. It was later identified as a potential antibiotic. The term "antibiotic" comes from the Greek words "anti" meaning "against" and "bios" meaning "life", referring to substances that can inhibit the growth or destroy microorganisms.
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