Nitrofurantoin: An Antibiotic For Urinary Tract Infections

 The urinary system is made up of kidneys, ureters, the bladder, and the urethra. Any infection in the urinary system is referred to as a urinary tract infection (UTI). The bladder and urethra are the most commonly infected parts of the urinary tract. Bacteria that can enter the urinary tract through the urethra and spread to the bladder cause UTIs. The urinary system is intended to keep bacteria out, but sometimes defences fail.

Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic used to treat urinary tract infections. An antibiotic is a compound produced by a microorganism that, at specific concentrations, can kill or inhibit other microorganisms.

Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin is a synthetic antibiotic created from furan with a nitro group added and a hydantoin-containing side chain.



Nitrofurantoin is effective against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Nitrofurantoin is bactericidal against the majority of common urinary tract pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Enterococci, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Enterobacter. Shigella, Salmonella, Citrobacter, Neisseria, Bacteroides, Group B Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis are also susceptible. It works by either killing or preventing the growth of bacteria. This medication, however, will not treat colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Mechanism Of Action

Nitrofurantoin exerts antimicrobial activity through a variety of mechanisms. Bacterial intracellular flavoproteins absorb nitrofurantoin and convert it to reactive intermediates. This reduction produces intermediate metabolites that bind to bacterial ribosomes and inhibit bacterial enzymes involved in the synthesis of DNA, RNA, cell wall protein synthesis, and other metabolic enzymes. The lack of acquired bacterial resistance to nitrofurantoin may be explained by its broad-based mechanism of action. However, nitrofurantoin resistance in Escherichia coli may be caused by mutations in nfsA and nfsB.

The primary use of nitrofurantoin has remained the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections. Nitrofurantoin is advantageous because it concentrates in the lower urinary tract, keeps serum concentrations low, and has no effect on bowel flora.

TM Media Manufacturer Of Antibiotic Sensitivity Discs

TM Media is a market leader in the production of antibiotic discs. TM Media has over 70 antibiotic sensitivity discs as per CLSI concentration. Antibiotics such as Amikacin, Azithromycin, Cephalothin, and many more are available in three different packaging formats to meet your experimental needs: blister pack, cartridge, and vial.

Antibiotic combinations for gram-positive organisms, gram-negative organisms, Pseudomonas species, and UTI pathogenic microorganisms are available at TM Media.

Aside from Antibiotic Sensitivity Discs, TM Media offers Culture Media, Ready-to-Use Culture Media, Lab Consumables, and other products that aid the clinical and pharmaceutical industries in the fight against microbial infections.

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