polümüksiini

Polymyxin is a class of antibiotics that are effective against a range of Gram-negative bacteria. They work by disrupting the structure of the bacterial cell membrane, leading to leakage of cellular contents and cell death. Polymyxins are cationic peptides that interact with the negatively charged lipopolysaccharide molecules found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. This interaction destabilizes the membrane, ultimately causing it to break down.

The most commonly used polymyxins in clinical practice are polymyxin B and colistin (polymyxin E). These drugs have been in use for many years but their use declined due to concerns about nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. However, with the rise of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections, particularly carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, polymyxins have seen a resurgence as a last-resort treatment option.

Polymyxins are typically administered intravenously for systemic infections or topically for certain eye or skin infections. Due to their potential for serious side effects, their use is carefully monitored by healthcare professionals. Resistance to polymyxins can develop through modifications in the bacterial cell membrane that reduce the binding affinity of the antibiotic.