Final answer:
Aminoglycosides are effective when there are aerobic conditions, a high pH level, and non-purulent conditions in the infected tissue, which facilitate their uptake and activity against bacteria. Their effectiveness can be compromised by the presence of pus or incorrect dosing, as they can be nephrotoxic, neurotoxic, and ototoxic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics that include drugs such as streptomycin, gentamicin, neomycin, and kanamycin, which are known to be potent broad-spectrum antibacterials. They work by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit in bacteria, which impairs the proofreading ability of the ribosomal complex, leading to the production of dysfunctional proteins. This results in the disruption of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane and ultimately kills the bacterial cells.
For aminoglycosides to be most effective, certain conditions are required in the infected tissue. They require highly aerobic conditions because they are uptaken into the bacterial cell through an oxygen-dependent transport system. Additionally, they require a sufficiently high pH level and non-purulent conditions (i.e., absence of pus), which can otherwise inactivate the drug. Moreover, proper dosing and route of administration are important considerations due to the potential nephrotoxic, neurotoxic, and ototoxic side effects of these medications.