Penicillins

Penicillins is a topic covered in the Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics.

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General Principles

  • Penicillins (PCNs) irreversibly bind PCN-binding proteins in the bacterial cell wall, causing osmotic rupture and death. Acquired resistance in many bacterial species through alterations in PCN-binding proteins or expression of hydrolytic enzymes has limited their use.
  • PCNs remain among the drugs of choice for syphilis and infections caused by PCN-sensitive streptococci, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Listeria monocytogenes, Pasteurella multocida, and Actinomyces.

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General Principles

  • Penicillins (PCNs) irreversibly bind PCN-binding proteins in the bacterial cell wall, causing osmotic rupture and death. Acquired resistance in many bacterial species through alterations in PCN-binding proteins or expression of hydrolytic enzymes has limited their use.
  • PCNs remain among the drugs of choice for syphilis and infections caused by PCN-sensitive streptococci, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Listeria monocytogenes, Pasteurella multocida, and Actinomyces.

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