<prompt> A 6-year-old girl is diagnosed with meningitis. A lumbar puncture reveals numerous neutrophils and gram-negative diplococci. She is admitted to the hospital for antibiotic treatment, which is complicated by the fact that she is known to be allergic to b-lactams. What is the mechanism of action of the alternative drug of choice to treat this infants meningitis?Blocks tRNA binding to the A siteCauses misreading of mRNAInhibits formation of the peptide bondPrevents translocation  <response>: The girl in the vignette most likely has Neisseria meningitidis meningitis. The drug of choice is ceftriaxone, which is contraindicated by the childs known b-lactam allergy due to cross-hypersensitivity. The alternative drug of choice is chloramphenicol, which inhibits formation of the peptide bond c through inhibition of the transpeptidase reaction. Meropenem, a second alternative, is also a b-lactam with cross-hyper-sensitivity. Tetracycline, which blocks tRNA binding to the A site a, is not used to treat meningitis and should not be used in children under 10. Aminoglycosides, which cause misreading of mRNA b and result in premature termination e of translation, as well as blocking initiation of protein synthesis, are not generally used to treat meningitis except in cases caused by Listeria. Macrolides prevent translocation d and are not used to treat meningitis. 