Cephem

Cephems are a sub-group of β-lactam antibiotics including cephalosporins and cephamycins.^[1] It is one of the more common 4-membered ring Heterocyclic compounds in the clinic.^[2] Produced by actinomycetes, cephamycins were found to display antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria, including those resistant to penicillin and cephalosporins.^[3] The antimicrobial properties of cephem include the attachment to certain penicillin-binding proteins that are involved in the production of cell walls of bacteria.^[4]

Core structure of the cephalosporins.

Core structure of the cephamycins.

Further reading

• Hamilton-Miller JM (November 2003). "Chemical and microbiologic aspects of penems, a distinct class of beta-lactams: focus on faropenem". Pharmacotherapy. 23 (11): 1497–1507. doi:10.1592/phco.23.14.1497.31937. PMID 14620395. S2CID 43705118.
• Ito K, Hayasaki M, Tamaya T (June 1990). "Pharmacokinetics of cephem antibiotics in exudate of pelvic retroperitoneal space after radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy". Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 34 (6): 1160–1164. doi:10.1128/AAC.34.6.1160. PMC 171777. PMID 2393276.