What are carbapenems?
Q: What are carbapenems?
A: Carbapenems are a class of antibiotics that have a broad spectrum of activity against many types of bacteria.
Q: Why are carbapenems considered one of the "antibiotics of last resort"?
A: Carbapenems are considered one of the "antibiotics of last resort" because they are effective against many types of bacteria that are resistant to other types of antibiotics.
Q: What is the structure of carbapenems?
A: The structure of carbapenems is difficult for bacterial enzymes to break down, which makes them effective in treating bacterial infections.
Q: What are some bacterial infections that carbapenems are used to treat?
A: Carbapenems are used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Q: What is an "Indian superbug"?
A: An "Indian superbug" is a strain of bacteria that is resistant to carbapenems, which was discovered in Delhi.
Q: What is the mechanism of action of carbapenems?
A: The mechanism of action of carbapenems is that they inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by blocking the formation of peptidoglycan.
Q: Are there any new antibiotics in development to replace carbapenems?
A: Currently, there are no new antibiotics in development to replace carbapenems, but some older antibiotics may be effective in treating bacteria that are resistant to carbapenems.
