Pharmacodynamics
Clindamycin is a semisynthetic antibiotic-lincosamide, formed from lincomycin upon substitution of 7- (R) -hydroxy group by 7- (S) -chlorine, active against aerobic Gram-positive microorganisms and a wide range of anaerobic bacteria. Most of the graphogenic aerobic bacteria, including Enterobacteriaceae, are resistant to clindamycin.
Clindamycin - binds to 50S subunit of the ribosome and inhibits protein synthesis in bacterial cells, disrupting the extension of the protein chain. Clindamycin is able to inhibit the binding process of aminoacyl t-RNA and the translocation reaction that occurs after the attachment of the amino acid molecule to the ribosome.
Depending on the sensitivity of the microorganism and the concentration of the drug clindamycin can act bacteriostatically (predominantly) or bactericidal (in high concentrations).
The mechanism of resistance
Between lincomycin and clindamycin, there is complete cross-resistance. Resistance of staphylococci and streptococci is most often due to methylation of specific nucleotides in 23S RNA in 50S subunit of the ribosome, which can determine the cross-resistance to macrolides and streptograms B (phenotype MLSB). Strains of microorganisms resistant to macrolides should be tested for inducible resistance to lincomycin / clindamycin using D-test.
Methicillin-sensitive strains Staphylococcus aureus are generally sensitive to clindamycin. Clindamycin has a significant negative effect on many strains of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRSA). Nevertheless, the occurrence of a large number of clindamycin-resistant MRSA-stamps excludes the use of clindamycin against infections caused by these microorganisms without a sensitivity test. Some erythromycin-resistant strains of staphylococci in vitro quickly develop resistance to clindamycin.
The following microorganisms usually resistant to clindamycin:
Aerobic Gram-negative microorganisms:
Enterococcus faecalis;
Nocardia spp .;
Neisseria meningitidis;
Strains Haemophilus influenza (in those areas where resistance to antibiotics is observed frequently).
Checkpoints EUCAST for clindamycin (from 2014)
Pathogen | Sensitive | Resistant |
Staphylococcus spp. | ≤ 0.25 mg / l | > 0.5 mg / l |
Streptococcus group A, B. C, G | ≤ 0.5 mg / l | > 0.5 mg / l |
Streptococcus pneumoniae | ≤ 0.5 mg / l | > 0.5 mg / l |
Gram-positive anaerobes (with the exception of Clostridium difficile) | ≤ 4 mg / l | > 4 mg / l |
Gram-negative anaerobes | ≤ 4 mg / l | > 4 mg / l |
The predominance of acquired resistance
The predominance of acquired resistance may vary depending on the geographical location and time for individual species, so information about resistance in a particular area is highly desirable, especially when treating severe infections.If necessary, consult a specialist if the prevalence of acquired resistance is so widespread that the use of the drug for at least some types of infections is in doubt. Especially with severe infections or lack of success of therapy, microbiological diagnostics with pathogen verification and an assessment of its sensitivity to lincomycin / clindamycin are recommended.
The following information is available on the sensitivity of microorganisms to clindamycin, based on studies conducted in Europe:
Typically, sensitive microorganisms
Aerobic Gram-positive microorganisms
Actinomyces israeliia
Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-sensitive)
Streptococcus agalactiae
Group streptococci Viridans
Anaerobic microorganisms
Bacteroides spp. (with the exception of V. fragilis)
Fusobacterium spp.
Peptococcus spp.
Prevotella spp.
Veillonella spp.
Other microorganisms
Chlamydia trachomatis
Chlamydophila pneumoniae
Gardnerella vaginalis
Mycoplasma hominis
Microorganisms for which development of acquired resistance is possible
Aerobic Gram-positive microorganisms
Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-resistant)
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Staphylococcus haemolyticus
Staphylococcus hominis
Streptococcus pneumonia
Aerobic gram-negative microorganisms
Moraxella catarrhalisa
Anaerobic microorganisms
Bacteroides fragilis
Clostridium perfringens
Peptostreptococcus spp.
Propionibacterium spp.
Advantageously, resistant microorganisms
Aerobic Gram-positive microorganisms
Enterococcus spp.
Listeria monocytogenes
Aerobic gram-negative microorganisms
Escherichia coli
Klebsiella spp.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Anaerobic microorganisms
Clostridium difficile
Other microorganisms
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Ureaplasma urealyticum
Clindamycin can also be used to treat pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii (formerly Pneumocystis carinii) in combination with a primaquine and malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum (in combination with quinine).