Core structure of the cephalosporins.Core structure of the cephamycins.
Cephems are a sub-group ofβ-lactam antibiotics includingcephalosporins andcephamycins.[1] It is one of the most common 4-membered ring heterocycle.[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]
Researchers have developed antibiotics that include cephems and they have tried to test them clinically.[5] Many of the antibiotics that are manufactured have different efficiencies based on the amount used, their strength, and their antibacterial spectra.[5] Research was conducted on drugs that contain cephem to investigate their pharmacokinetics in the exudate of the space behind the peritoneum after radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy.[5]
^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.PMID14620395.S2CID43705118.
^Vitaku E, Smith DT, Njardarson JT (December 2014). "Analysis of the structural diversity, substitution patterns, and frequency of nitrogen heterocycles among U.S. FDA approved pharmaceuticals".Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.57 (24):10257–10274.doi:10.1021/jm501100b.PMID25255204.
