Which type of organism does Aztreonam specifically target?

Aztreonam is a monobactam antibiotic specifically designed to target Gram-negative bacteria, particularly aerobic species. This class of antibiotics works by inhibiting cell wall synthesis, which is a critical function in maintaining bacterial integrity and viability. The structure of Aztreonam allows it to effectively penetrate the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, where it binds to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and causes cell lysis.

Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and viruses do not fall under the primary target range of Aztreonam. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall that is not effectively targeted by this agent. Fungi and viruses have entirely different cellular structures and life cycles, hence they are not susceptible to the action of Aztreonam, which is specifically designed to combat the challenges posed by Gram-negative aerobes. This makes understanding the specificity of Aztreonam essential for its application in clinical settings.