Final answer:
Antimicrobial agents such as penicillin, cephalosporins, isoniazid, rifampin, and bedaquiline are used to inhibit cell wall synthesis and cellular processes in mycobacteria, which are protected by a waxy mycolic acid layer. These drugs require careful administration to manage side effects and prevent drug resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antimicrobial Agents Against Mycobacterium Species
Antimicrobial agents that target acid-fast bacteria like the genus Mycobacterium function by interfering with various cellular processes. Specifically, these agents can inhibit cell wall synthesis, which is critical for the bacteria's survival. Penicillin and cephalosporins, for example, hinder the cross-linking of peptides on the mucosaccharide chains of bacterial cell walls, causing an influx of water into the cells and leading to their rupture. However, these antibiotics are less effective against mycobacteria due to the protective mycolic acid layer in their cell envelope.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the pathogen that causes tuberculosis (TB), requires a special staining procedure called acid-fast stain due to this waxy mycolic acid. To combat these pathogens, drugs like isoniazid are employed, which specifically inhibit the synthesis of mycolic acid. Another example is rifampin, which impedes RNA polymerase activity, affecting mycobacterial RNA transcription. Bedaquiline, a newer antimicrobial agent, targets ATP synthase, which is essential for ATP production in mycobacteria.
Despite their efficacy, these drugs can have side effects and are often used in combination to prevent the development of drug-resistant mycobacteria strains.