Ceftazidime

Ceftazidime is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis and is active against susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other bacteria.

Penicillin-binding proteins: Bacterial enzymes that build and remodel peptidoglycan in the cell wall. Ceftazidime binds these enzymes and disrupts the final stages of cell-wall construction.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A Gram-negative bacterium that can cause severe infections, particularly in hospitalized or immunocompromised people. Ceftazidime is used against susceptible infections caused by this organism.
Cefepime: A fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic with activity against many Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Cefepime often offers broader Gram-positive activity and greater stability against some AmpC enzymes.
Antimicrobial resistance: The ability of microorganisms to survive or grow despite exposure to antimicrobial drugs. Resistance can erase ceftazidime’s activity and constrain its use against serious infections.
Peptidoglycan: A mesh-like polymer that provides structural strength to most bacterial cell walls. Ceftazidime prevents the cross-linking that gives this wall mesh its strength.
Antibiotic susceptibility testing: Laboratory methods that determine whether bacteria are inhibited by particular antimicrobial drugs. Testing helps establish whether an isolate is susceptible to ceftazidime.
Ceftriaxone: A third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic with broad activity against many bacteria but no reliable activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Unlike ceftriaxone, ceftazidime has clinically useful activity against susceptible Pseudomonas.
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales: Enterobacterales bacteria resistant to at least one carbapenem antibiotic. Some strains resist ceftazidime through carbapenemases or other resistance mechanisms.
Beta-lactamase: An enzyme that inactivates beta-lactam antibiotics by opening their beta-lactam ring. These enzymes can hydrolyze ceftazidime and make bacteria resistant.
Meningitis: Inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, often caused by infection. Ceftazidime can be used for selected bacterial meningitis when the pathogen is susceptible.

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