Cephalosporium acremonium

Definition

Cephalosporium acremonium is a fungus from which the first cephalosporin antibiotics were derived. Cephalosporins are a class of β-lactam antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cephalosporium acremonium was discovered in the 1940s by Italian scientist Giuseppe Brotzu.
2. The antibiotics produced by Cephalosporium acremonium are effective against a wide range of Gram-positive and some Gram-negative bacteria.
3. Cephalosporins work by inhibiting the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall, leading to cell lysis and death.
4. These antibiotics are categorized into generations, with each successive generation generally having a broader spectrum of activity.
5. Cephalosporins are often used as an alternative for patients who are allergic to penicillin.

Review Questions

Related terms

β-lactam antibiotics: A class of broad-spectrum antibiotics that include penicillins and cephalosporins, characterized by their β-lactam ring.

Penicillin:

An antibiotic derived from Penicillium fungi that also inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Antimicrobial resistance: The ability of microorganisms to withstand the effects of medications previously effective against them.