betalactàmic

Betalactàmic refers to a class of organic compounds characterized by a four-membered beta-lactam ring. This ring structure is a central feature of a major group of antibiotics, known as beta-lactam antibiotics. These antibiotics are widely used in medicine to treat bacterial infections. The beta-lactam ring is crucial for their mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. By interfering with the enzymes responsible for cross-linking peptidoglycans, the essential component of bacterial cell walls, beta-lactam antibiotics weaken the wall and lead to cell lysis.

Common examples of beta-lactam antibiotics include penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and monobactams. While they share the core beta-lactam structure, these subclasses differ in their specific chemical side chains and spectrum of activity against various bacteria. Resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics can develop in bacteria through various mechanisms, most notably the production of enzymes called beta-lactamases, which can hydrolyze and inactivate the antibiotic ring. The development and discovery of beta-lactam antibiotics have been a significant advancement in combating infectious diseases, though the rise of antibiotic resistance poses an ongoing challenge in their effective use.