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Polypeptide Antibiotics (view source)
Revision as of 08:47, 24 October 2008
, 08:47, 24 October 2008→Mechanism of Action
==Mechanism of Action==
==Mechanism of Action==
This group of antibiotics function by binding to the cell membrane and then making it permeable. This will lead to swelling of the cell and then apoptosis, resulting in the antibiotic being very bactericidal and a concentration dependent killer. As they are cationic basic proteins they also act like detergents.
This group of antiobiotics also have another interesting function; they are capable of binding to bacterial endotoxin (LPS) and therefore neutralise. It is this secondary function, which is often why vets use these antibiotic as they are very useful in treating animals with '''endotoxic shock'''.
==Spectrum of Activity==
==Spectrum of Activity==