The glycopeptide antibiotics include avoparcin, teicoplanin, and vancomycin. They inhibit cell wall synthesis in gram-positive bacteria by binding strongly to cell wall precursors. Prior to a ban, avoparcin was found to select for vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Resistance to vancomycin is generally uncommon except in enterococci, while resistance to teicoplanin is also uncommon. Vancomycin is used to treat life-threatening gram-positive infections resistant to less toxic antibiotics, while teicoplanin treats gram-positive infections resistant to vancomycin.

1. Antibiotics Groups
Glycopeptides

2. Glycopeptide Group
The glycopeptide antibiotics include:
1. Avoparcin
• Produced by Amycolatopsis coloradensis
2. Teicoplanin (Targocid)
• Is a mixture of six closely related compounds produced
by Streptococcus teichomyetius.
3. Vancomycin
• Produced by Streptococcus orientalis.

3. Mechanism of Action - Spectrum
 The glycopeptide antibiotics inhibit cell wall synthesis by
binding strongly with cell wall precursors.
 Gram positive

4. Resistance
 Prior to the ban on its use in food-producing species,
avoparcin was found to be selected for vancomycin-resistant
enterococci (VRE).
 Bacterial resistance to vancomycin is generally uncommon,
with the exception of Enterococcus species.
 Development of resistance to teicoplanin (Targocid) is also
uncommon.

5. Indications
Vancomycin
 For the treatment of life-threatening Gram-positive infections
that are unresponsive to less toxic antibiotics.
 The worldwide emergence of vancomycin-resistant
enterococci (VRE) is a major concern for public health and
stimulated the debate concerning the use of avoparcin in
agriculture and whether this contributed to VRE in humans.
Teicoplanin (Targocid)
 For treatment of infections with Gram-positive bacteria,
especially bacteria resistant to vancomycin.