Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and pathogenic yeasts

Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and pathogenic yeasts represent a broad spectrum of infectious microorganisms rather than a single molecular target. Gram-positive bacteria are characterized by a thick peptidoglycan layer, while Gram-negative bacteria feature a complex cell envelope with an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides (StatPearls, 2023: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430935/). Pathogenic yeasts, such as Candida species, are eukaryotic fungi that can cause systemic or localized infections, particularly in immunocompromised hosts (CDC, 2023: https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/index.html). Because this category encompasses diverse biological domains, drugs targeting them act on various essential processes, including cell wall biosynthesis, nucleic acid replication, and protein translation (Merck Manual, 2024: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/bacteria-and-antibacterial-drugs/overview-of-antibacterial-drugs). This classification is typically used to describe the antimicrobial spectrum of broad-spectrum agents rather than a specific drug-receptor interaction. The clinical relevance of these organisms is significant due to their role in hospital-acquired infections and the rising global threat of antimicrobial resistance (WHO, 2023: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance).

Other names

Broad-spectrum microbial pathogensBacterial and fungal pathogensGram-positive/negative bacteria and fungi

Drugs targeting this group of organisms act through diverse mechanisms: beta-lactams and glycopeptides inhibit cell wall synthesis; aminoglycosides, macrolides, and tetracyclines inhibit protein synthesis; fluoroquinolones inhibit DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV; and polyenes and azoles disrupt fungal cell membrane integrity (Merck Manual, 2024: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/bacteria-and-antibacterial-drugs/overview-of-antibacterial-drugs).