lactam (redirected from Lactams, macrocyclic)

lactam /lac·tam/ (lak´tam) a cyclic amide formed from aminocarboxylic acids by elimination of water; lactams are isomeric with lactims, which are enol forms of lactams.

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ß-lactam  see under antibiotic.

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lac·tam (lktm)

n.

An amide formed from amino carboxylic acids containing a keto group in a ring configuration, as seen in purines, pyrimidines, and antibiotics. It is tautomeric to lactim.

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lactam

a cyclic amide formed from aminocarboxylic acids by elimination of water; lactams are isomeric with lactims, which are enol forms of lactams.

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ß-lactam antibiotics

includes the penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems and penems. See also ß-lactam ring (below).

ß-lactam ring

an integral part of the formula of ß-lactam antibiotics. Disruption of the ring by ß-lactamase produced by some bacteria, e.g. Escherichia coli, Bacillus anthracis, destroys the antimicrobial activity of the compound.