A drug that is a fifth-generation cephalosporin which is the first in its class effective against MRSA is:
A.
Ceftaroline (Teflaro)
B.
Cefepime (Maxipime)
C.
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
D.
Cephalexin (Keflex)
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
A. Ceftaroline (Teflaro)
Explanation:
Ceftaroline (Teflaro) is a fifth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic and is notably the first in its class to demonstrate effectiveness against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This distinction makes it a significant advancement in the treatment of infections caused by MRSA, which is a type of bacteria resistant to many common antibiotics.
Cephalosporins are a class of beta-lactam antibiotics that work by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, leading to cell lysis and death. As cephalosporins have evolved through their generations, they have been developed to cover a broader spectrum of bacteria. The fifth-generation cephalosporins, including ceftaroline, are designed to tackle more challenging pathogens.
Ceftaroline’s mechanism of action is similar to other cephalosporins; it binds to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) on the bacterial cell wall, disrupting cell wall synthesis. However, its unique structure allows it to bind more effectively to PBP2a, an altered PBP that MRSA expresses, thus overcoming the resistance mechanisms that other cephalosporins cannot.
Other options:
- B. Cefepime (Maxipime) is a fourth-generation cephalosporin with broad-spectrum activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria but is not effective against MRSA.
- C. Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) is a third-generation cephalosporin known for its efficacy against many Gram-negative bacteria and some Gram-positive bacteria but does not cover MRSA.
- D. Cephalexin (Keflex) is a first-generation cephalosporin primarily effective against Gram-positive bacteria and is not effective against MRSA.
In summary, ceftaroline (Teflaro) represents an important advancement in the cephalosporin class due to its ability to treat MRSA infections, which are challenging to manage with many other antibiotics.