What is the method of action of chloramphenicol in treating infections like typhoid fever?

Chloramphenicol primarily acts by blocking protein synthesis in bacteria. It achieves this by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, inhibiting the peptidyl transferase activity, which is crucial for the formation of peptide bonds during the translation process. This interruption prevents the synthesis of essential proteins that bacteria need for growth and reproduction, thereby exerting a bacteriostatic effect.

The action of chloramphenicol is particularly useful in treating infections such as typhoid fever, as it can effectively reach and affect bacteria in a systemic manner. This makes it a valuable antibiotic in situations where other treatments may be insufficient or where the target bacteria show resistance.

Other options describe mechanisms pertinent to different classes of antibiotics. For example, inhibiting cell wall synthesis is characteristic of beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillin. Dissolving bacterial membranes is not a common mechanism for antibiotics; instead, it can refer to actions like those of certain detergents or antifungal agents. Inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis pertains to antibiotics like fluoroquinolones, which target DNA gyrase or topoisomerase. Therefore, the specific mechanism of action of chloramphenicol as a protein synthesis inhibitor stands out in the context