Macrolide

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Macrolide

Macrolide (pronunciation: /ˈmakrəˌlīd/) is a class of antibiotics derived from Saccharopolyspora erythraea, a species of bacteria. The term "macrolide" is derived from the macrocyclic lactone ring that these antibiotics share in their structures.

History

Macrolides were first discovered in the 1950s, with the isolation of erythromycin from the bacteria Saccharopolyspora erythraea. Since then, several other macrolides have been discovered and synthesized, including clarithromycin, azithromycin, and roxithromycin.

Mechanism of Action

Macrolides work by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria. They bind to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, preventing the addition of new amino acids to the growing peptide chain.

Clinical Use

Macrolides are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and sexually transmitted infections. They are particularly useful in patients who are allergic to penicillin.

Side Effects

Common side effects of macrolides include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, they can cause serious side effects such as hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity.

Resistance

Resistance to macrolides can occur through several mechanisms, including modification of the antibiotic target, efflux of the antibiotic out of the cell, and enzymatic inactivation of the antibiotic.

External links

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