Which antibiotic class is commonly used to treat pertussis?

Which antibiotic class is commonly used to treat pertussis?

• A. Penicillins
• B. Macrolides
• C. Cephalosporins
• D. Aminoglycosides

Answer: (B)

Macrolide antibiotics are the preferred treatment for pertussis because Bordetella pertussis responds best to this class, and using them early helps reduce contagiousness. They inhibit protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit, blocking translocation and stopping bacterial growth. In pediatrics, azithromycin or clarithromycin are commonly used because they are better tolerated and require shorter courses than erythromycin, which has more GI side effects and can cause pyloric stenosis in infants. The goal is to lessen transmission and shorten illness, especially when started in the catarrhal or early paroxysmal phase. Penicillins and cephalosporins target cell wall synthesis and are not reliably effective against Bordetella pertussis, so they’re not the preferred treatment. Aminoglycosides aren’t indicated for pertussis due to limited activity against this pathogen and less favorable safety and dosing considerations in children.

Macrolide antibiotics are the preferred treatment for pertussis because Bordetella pertussis responds best to this class, and using them early helps reduce contagiousness. They inhibit protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit, blocking translocation and stopping bacterial growth. In pediatrics, azithromycin or clarithromycin are commonly used because they are better tolerated and require shorter courses than erythromycin, which has more GI side effects and can cause pyloric stenosis in infants. The goal is to lessen transmission and shorten illness, especially when started in the catarrhal or early paroxysmal phase. Penicillins and cephalosporins target cell wall synthesis and are not reliably effective against Bordetella pertussis, so they’re not the preferred treatment. Aminoglycosides aren’t indicated for pertussis due to limited activity against this pathogen and less favorable safety and dosing considerations in children.