Which antimicrobial target would most likely harm the host as well?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is cell membrane synthesis.
Antimicrobial agents that target the cell membrane of microorganisms have the potential to harm the host as well because both bacterial and eukaryotic cells, including human cells, possess lipid membranes. The cell membrane is a crucial structure in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, serving as a barrier that regulates the movement of substances into and out of the cell. This makes it a challenging target for selective toxicity.
For instance, antibiotics like polymyxins target the lipid membranes of bacteria, disrupting the phospholipid bilayer, and causing leakage of cellular contents, leading to cell death. While these antibiotics are effective against Gram-negative bacteria, they can also interact with the lipid membranes of human cells, especially at high concentrations. The potential damage to the host’s own cells is a significant risk when using such agents, leading to side effects such as nephrotoxicity (kidney damage) and neurotoxicity (nerve damage).
Other antimicrobial targets, like those affecting cell wall synthesis, are more selective because human cells do not have cell walls. For example, penicillins target bacterial cell wall synthesis but do not harm human cells since they lack cell walls. Similarly, targeting protein synthesis or DNA replication in bacteria is more selective, as the structures involved are typically unique to microorganisms or significantly different in humans.
In conclusion, antimicrobial agents targeting structures shared between the pathogen and the host, like the cell membrane, present a greater risk of host harm. This is why selective toxicity is such an important principle in the development of effective antibiotics.