The class of antibiotics commonly prescribed for Sue, particularly if Sue has bacterial meningitis, would be ceftriaxone (a cephalosporin) or penicillin G. These antibiotics are effective because they target the bacterial cell wall, which is crucial for growth and survival in bacteria, particularly Gram- positive bacteria. Ceftriaxone and penicillin G are often used for a treatment course of 14-28 days in meningitis cases due to their strong efficacy against the causative bacteria.
Ceftriaxone is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin effective against many bacteria causing meningitis, including Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Penicillin G is particularly effective against Gram-positive bacteria, which have a thick peptidoglycan cell wall that penicillin inhibits, leading to bacterial cell death.
Other alternatives that have been used include doxycycline and chloramphenicol, depending on the specific clinical scenario and bacterial susceptibilities, but these are less commonly first-line.
Explanation
- Penicillin and ceftriaxone inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis, which human cells lack, making them selectively toxic to bacteria.
- The choice depends on the bacteria suspected or confirmed, and the site of infection (e.g., meningitis).
- Proper prescription considers the antimicrobial spectrum, tissue penetration, and resistance patterns.
Therefore, for Sue, ceftriaxone or penicillin G would be the logical antibiotics to prescribe, with the choice depending on the exact diagnosis and clinical guidelines.