Lincosamine

Lincosamine

Lincosamine is a class of antibiotics that includes clindamycin and lincomycin. These antibiotics are derived from cultures of Streptomyces bacteria and are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.

History

The first lincosamine antibiotic, lincomycin, was discovered in the 1960s. It was isolated from a strain of Streptomyces lincolnensis and was found to be effective against a range of Gram-positive bacteria. Clindamycin, a semi-synthetic derivative of lincomycin, was developed a few years later and has a broader spectrum of activity.

Mechanism of Action

Lincosamine antibiotics 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 bacterial death.

Clinical Use

Lincosamine antibiotics are used to treat a variety of infections, including skin infections, respiratory tract infections, and bone and joint infections. They are particularly useful in treating infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.

Side Effects

Common side effects of lincosamine antibiotics include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. More serious side effects can include allergic reactions and Clostridium difficile infection, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause severe diarrhea and colitis.

Resistance

Resistance to lincosamine antibiotics can occur through several mechanisms, including mutation of the ribosomal target site, enzymatic inactivation of the drug, and active efflux of the drug from the bacterial cell.