Antifungal

Question 1

Fluconazole

Answer 1

Azole

Impair the synthesis of ergosterol in fungal cell membranes leading to their breakdown; cell leakage and death occur by lytic activity of the host defence system.

Narrowest spectrum

Question 2

Isavuconazole

Answer 2

Azole

Impair the synthesis of ergosterol in fungal cell membranes leading to their breakdown; cell leakage and death occur by lytic activity of the host defence system.

Question 3

Itraconazole

Answer 3

Azole

Impair the synthesis of ergosterol in fungal cell membranes leading to their breakdown; cell leakage and death occur by lytic activity of the host defence system.

Question 4

Miconazole

Answer 4

Azole

Impair the synthesis of ergosterol in fungal cell membranes leading to their breakdown; cell leakage and death occur by lytic activity of the host defence system.

Question 5

Posaconazole

Answer 5

Azole

Impair the synthesis of ergosterol in fungal cell membranes leading to their breakdown; cell leakage and death occur by lytic activity of the host defence system.

Broasest spectrum

Question 6

Voriconazole

Answer 6

Azole

Impair the synthesis of ergosterol in fungal cell membranes leading to their breakdown; cell leakage and death occur by lytic activity of the host defence system.

Question 7

Anidulafungin

Answer 7

Echinocandin

Inhibit 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase, inhibiting synthesis of 1,3-beta-D-glucan in the fungal cell wall, which alters cell membrane permeability. Fungicidal against Candida spp. and fungistatic against Aspergillus spp.

Question 8

Caspofungin

Answer 8

Echinocandin

Inhibit 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase, inhibiting synthesis of 1,3-beta-D-glucan in the fungal cell wall, which alters cell membrane permeability. Fungicidal against Candida spp. and fungistatic against Aspergillus spp.

Question 9

Micafungin

Answer 9

Echinocandin

Inhibit 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase, inhibiting synthesis of 1,3-beta-D-glucan in the fungal cell wall, which alters cell membrane permeability. Fungicidal against Candida spp. and fungistatic against Aspergillus spp.

Question 10

Amphotericin B

Answer 10

Binds irreversibly to ergosterol in fungal cell membranes causing cell death by altering their permeability and allowing leakage of intracellular components.

Question 11

Flucytosine/5‑FC/5‑fluorocytosine.

Answer 11

SAS product

Flucytosine is converted by cytosine deaminase to fluorouracil in fungal cells; after phosphorylation fluorouracil inhibits fungal DNA synthesis and is also incorporated into fungal RNA, affecting protein synthesis.

Question 12

Griseofulvin

Answer 12

Disrupts fungal cell microtubule function. May produce defective DNA preventing cell replication.

Question 13

Nystatin

Answer 13

Binds to ergosterol in fungal cell membranes altering their permeability and allowing leakage of intracellular components.

Question 14

Pentamidine

Answer 14

Not fully understood and may differ in different organisms. May include inhibition of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation and effects on folate metabolism.

Question 15

Terbinafine

Answer 15

Fungicidal against dermatophytes and some other organisms, fungistatic against C. albicans; inhibits fungal ergosterol synthesis by inhibiting squalene epoxidase, leading to membrane disruption and cell death.