VB
Vikas Bhardwaj
Medical Technologist, AIIMS New Delhi
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
**Core Concept**
The question tests the understanding of antibiotic interactions, specifically focusing on the concept of **antibiotic antagonism**. This occurs when the use of two antibiotics together reduces their overall effectiveness against a particular infection.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Although the specific combination is not provided, a classic example of mutually antagonistic antibiotics is the combination of **penicillin** (a beta-lactam antibiotic) and **tetracycline**. Penicillin works by inhibiting cell wall synthesis, leading to cell lysis, while tetracycline inhibits protein synthesis. If tetracycline is present, it can inhibit the growth of bacteria, thereby reducing the effectiveness of penicillin, which relies on actively growing bacteria to exert its effect.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Without the specific details of Option A, it's challenging to provide a precise explanation, but typically, combinations of antibiotics are chosen to be synergistic rather than antagonistic.
**Option B:** Similarly, without specifics, it's hard to comment, but the principle of antibiotic antagonism would guide the reasoning.
**Option C:** This option would be incorrect for the same reasons as Options A and B, lacking specific details to address directly.
**Option D:** Again, without knowing the combination, it's difficult to provide a detailed explanation, but the focus would be on identifying known antagonistic pairs.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that **antibiotic combinations** should be chosen carefully to avoid antagonism and enhance synergistic effects, especially in severe infections like septicemia. Understanding the mechanisms of action of different antibiotics is crucial for making informed decisions about combination therapy.
**Correct Answer:** Unfortunately, without the provided answer choices, it's not possible to fill in the correct answer directly. However, a common incorrect combination could involve a beta-lactam and a bacteriostatic agent like tetracycline. **Correct Answer: D. Penicillin and Tetracycline.**