Karbapenemier

Karbapenemier is a class of beta-lactam antibiotics that are highly resistant to beta-lactamase enzymes, which are produced by many bacteria to inactivate beta-lactam antibiotics. This resistance is due to the unique structure of karbapenems, which includes a carbapenem ring that is not easily hydrolyzed by beta-lactamases. Karbapenemier are often used as a last resort in the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii.

The most commonly used karbapenem antibiotics are imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem. Imipenem is often combined with cilastatin, an inhibitor of renal dehydropeptidase I, which is responsible for the degradation of imipenem in the kidneys. Meropenem and ertapenem are not metabolized by renal dehydropeptidase I and are therefore not affected by cilastatin.

Karbapenemier are typically administered intravenously and have a broad spectrum of activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. However, they are not effective against anaerobic bacteria and some Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The use of karbapenemier has increased significantly in recent years due to the rise of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. However, the overuse and misuse of these antibiotics have led to the emergence of carbapenem-resistant bacteria, which are a significant public health concern. Therefore, the use of karbapenemier should be carefully considered and reserved for infections that are resistant to other antibiotics.