Vancomycin

Definition

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. It inhibits cell wall synthesis by binding to the D-alanyl-D-alanine terminus of cell wall precursor units.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Vancomycin is particularly effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile.
2. It is commonly administered intravenously for systemic infections and orally for gastrointestinal tract infections like C. difficile colitis.
3. Vancomycin resistance can occur through the acquisition of genes that alter the D-alanyl-D-alanine target, most notably seen in Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE).
4. The drug can cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity, so monitoring serum levels is important during treatment.
5. Vancomycin was originally isolated from the bacterium Amycolatopsis orientalis.

Review Questions

• What types of bacterial infections is vancomycin commonly used to treat?
• How does vancomycin inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis?
• What are some potential side effects associated with vancomycin use?

Related terms

MRSA:

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria resistant to several antibiotics including methicillin.

VRE: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci, a group of bacterial strains that have acquired resistance to vancomycin.

Nephrotoxicity: Kidney damage or impairment caused by exposure to toxic substances, such as certain drugs including vancomycin.