Which bacterial infection is commonly treated with penicillin?

Streptococcal infections are commonly treated with penicillin because these bacteria are typically sensitive to this antibiotic. Streptococcus species, especially Streptococcus pyogenes, which causes conditions such as strep throat and skin infections, are usually susceptible to penicillin. The mechanism of penicillin involves inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, which is particularly effective against Gram-positive organisms like streptococci.

In clinical practice, penicillin remains the first-line treatment for many Streptococcus-related infections due to its efficacy, low cost, and favorable safety profile. Other antibiotics may be used in cases of penicillin resistance or for certain strains not susceptible to it, but the standard recommendation continues to be penicillin for non-resistant strains. This makes penicillin a cornerstone in the treatment of streptococcal infections.

While Staphylococcal infections, Clostridial infections, and Mycobacterial infections can also be treated with antibiotics, they often require different types of medications that target their unique resistance mechanisms or pathophysiological characteristics, making them less suitable for penicillin treatment.