Antibiotics mechanism of action

Abstract

Antibiotics are molecules that can kill bacteria or inhibit their growth by targeting essential cellular functions. They act by inhibiting peptidoglycan synthesis (b-lactams, glycopeptides and fosfomycin); protein synthesis (aminoglycosides, macrolides - lincosamides and streptogramins -tetracyclines, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, fusidic acid, oxazolidinones-); or nucleic acid synthesis (quinolones/ fluoroquinolones and rifamycins) or interfering with key metabolic pathways such as folate biosynthesis (cotrimoxazole). However, the extensive and sometimes inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of resistance, progressively reducing their efficacy and highlighting the need for the development of new antibacterial agents. This review presents the origin, structure, mechanism of action, main clinical agents, and spectrum of activity of each class of antibiotic.