Cephamycin

Core structure of the cephamycins.

Cephamycins are a group of β-lactam antibiotics. They are very similar to cephalosporins, and the cephamycins are sometimes classified as cephalosporins.

Like cephalosporins, cephamycins are based upon the cephem nucleus. Unlike most cephalosporins, cephamycins are a very efficient antibiotic against anaerobic microbes.[citation needed]

Cephamycins were originally produced by Streptomyces, but synthetic ones have been produced as well.[citation needed]

Cephamycins possess a methoxy group at the 7-alpha position.[1]

In addition, cephamycins have been shown to be stable against extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms, although their use in clinical practice is lacking for this indication.[citation needed]

  1. ^ Oreste A. Mascaretti (2003). Bacteria Versus Antibacterial Agents: An Integrated Approach. American Society Microbiology. p. 144. ISBN 1-55581-258-9.