Lincosamides

Lincosamides are a class of antibiotics that are derived from the compound lincomycin. They are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including those caused by Gram-positive bacteria and certain types of anaerobic bacteria.

History

The first lincosamide, lincomycin, was isolated from the soil bacterium Streptomyces lincolnensis in the 1960s. Since then, several other lincosamides have been discovered, including clindamycin, which is a semi-synthetic derivative of lincomycin.

Mechanism of action

Lincosamides work by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria. They bind to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, preventing the addition of new amino acids to the growing peptide chain. This stops the production of essential proteins, leading to the death of the bacteria.

Uses

Lincosamides are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including skin infections, respiratory tract infections, and bone and joint infections. They are also used in the treatment of toxic shock syndrome, acne, and certain types of malaria.

Side effects

Common side effects of lincosamides include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash. In rare cases, they can cause serious side effects such as Clostridium difficile infection, liver damage, and allergic reactions.

Resistance

Bacterial resistance to lincosamides can occur through several mechanisms, including modification of the ribosomal target site, enzymatic inactivation of the drug, and active efflux of the drug out of the bacterial cell.

See also

• Antibiotic resistance
• Pharmacology
• Medicinal chemistry

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