Microbial Chemotherapy and Bacterial Genetics

Brief historical perspective of chemotherapy. Fundamental principles of rational chemotherapy-selective toxicity principle. Classification of antimicrobial agents with special reference to mechanism of action and chemical structures. Drugs inhibiting cell wall synthesis (beta lactam antibiotics). Inhibitors of protein synthesis (aminoglycosides, macrolides, tetracycline). Drugs which interfere with cell membrane integrity. Inhibitors of RNA and DNA synthesis (quinolones). Miscellaneous antimicrobials e.g. sulphonamides, trimethoprim, fusidic acid, clindamycin, lincomycin, chloramphenicol. Antifungal agents, Antiviral agents, Interferon and interferon inducers. Development of resistance to antibiotics by microorganisms: plasmid mediated and biochemical basis. Control of emergence of resistance. Introduction to bacterial genetics and genetic engineering. Current drug therapies for HIV/AIDS and its associated opportunistic infections. The psychological aspects of HIV pharmaceutical services will be discussed with emphasis on the role of the pharmacist as HIV/AIDS counselor/editor. Infections, mechanism of infections, host-parasite relationship, and infection patterns of Gram negative and Gram-positive organisms. Urinary tract, GIT and respiratory tract infection.