2 - cephalosporins .
β-lactam ring highlighted in red
Beta-lactam antibiotics (β-lactam antibiotics, β-lactams) are a group of antibiotics that are united by the presence of a β-lactam ring in the structure.
Beta lactams include subgroups of penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems and monobactams. The similarity of the chemical structure determines the same mechanism of action of all β-lactams (impaired synthesis of the bacterial cell wall), as well as cross-allergy to them in some patients.
Penicillins, cephalosporins and monobactams are sensitive to the hydrolyzing action of specific enzymes - β-lactamase , produced by a number of bacteria. Carbapenems are characterized by significantly higher resistance to β-lactamases.
Given the high clinical efficacy and low toxicity, β-lactam antibiotics form the basis of antimicrobial chemotherapy at the present stage, taking the leading place in the treatment of most infections.