Mecillinam is a broad-spectrum β-lactam antibiotic in the penicillin class, specifically an amidinopenicillin. It was first described in 1972 (Lund and Tybring) and was developed by the Danish pharmaceutical company Leo Pharmaceutical Products (now LEO Pharma). The product is effective against Gram-negative bacteria. Mecillinam is slightly soluble in chloroform.
Mechanism of Action | β-lactams interfere with penicillin binding protein (PBP) activity involved in the final phase of peptidoglycan synthesis. PBP’s catalyze a pentaglycine crosslink between alanine and lysine residues providing additional strength to the cell wall. Without a pentaglycine crosslink, the integrity of the cell wall is severely compromised and ultimately leads to cell lysis and death. Resistance to β-lactams is commonly due to cells containing plasmid-encoded β-lactamases. |
Spectrum | Mecillinam targets primarily Gram-negative bacteria. It has minimal activity against Gram-positive organisms. |
Microbiology Applications |
Mecillinam is commonly used in clinical in vitro microbiological antimicrobial susceptibility tests (panels, discs, and MIC strips) against Gram-negative microbial isolates. Medical microbiologists use AST results to recommend antibiotic treatment options. MIC values include:
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Molecular Formula | C15H23N3O3S |
References |
Lund F and Tybring L (1972) 6 -amidinopenicillanic acids -a new group of antibiotics. Nat. New Biol. 236(66):135-137 PMID 4402006 Maioli E, Debbia EA, Gualco L, Marchese A (2008) In vitro interaction between Mecillinam and piperacillin-tazobactam in the presence of azithromycin against members of the Enterobacteriaceae family and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. New Microbiol.31(1):37-46 PMID 18437840 New HC (1976) Mecillinam, a novel penicillanic acid derivative with unusual activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Antimicrob. Agents. Chemother. 9(5):793-790 Pitout JD, Sanders CC, Sanders WE (1997) Antimicrobial resistance with focus on beta-lactam resistance in Gram-negative bacilli. Am J Med 103:51 |
MIC | Aeromonas spp.| ≥1|| Bacteroides fragilis (NCTC 9343)| ≥128|| Campylobacter spp.| ≥4|| Enterobacteriaceae| 0.03 - >128|| Escherichia coli| 8 - 16|| Plesiomonas shigelloides| ≥1|| Salmonella spp.| ≥2|| Shigella spp.| ≥16|| |