Azithromycin

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that binds bacterial ribosomes and inhibits protein synthesis. It is used against certain bacterial infections, including some respiratory and sexually transmitted infections.

50S ribosomal subunit: The large ribosomal subunit in bacteria, where peptide bonds form and several antibiotics bind. Azithromycin binds this subunit to disrupt bacterial protein synthesis.
Community-acquired pneumonia: Pneumonia acquired outside hospitals or long-term care facilities. Azithromycin is used in selected treatment regimens, often alongside another antibiotic.
Minimum inhibitory concentration: The lowest antimicrobial concentration that prevents visible growth of a microorganism under defined laboratory conditions. It provides a laboratory measure of bacterial susceptibility to azithromycin.
Doxycycline: A tetracycline antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding the 30S ribosomal subunit. It is preferred over azithromycin for many uncomplicated chlamydia infections.
Bacterial protein synthesis: The cellular process by which bacteria translate messenger RNA into proteins using ribosomes. This is the process azithromycin suppresses.
Chlamydia infection: A sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Azithromycin is an alternative treatment in some circumstances; doxycycline is generally preferred for uncomplicated infection.
Antibiotic: A substance that kills bacteria or inhibits their growth. Azithromycin is one member of this broader class of medicines.
Amoxicillin: A beta-lactam antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis. It acts on a different bacterial target and is preferred for some infections where azithromycin is unsuitable.
Macrolide: A class of antibiotics characterized by a large macrocyclic lactone ring and activity against bacterial ribosomes. Azithromycin belongs to this antibiotic class.
Pertussis: A contagious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. Azithromycin is used to treat pertussis and reduce transmission from infected people.

Linked from 13 pages