Antifungals and Antivirals Flashcards
does fungal infections are increasing or decreasing in prevalence
Fungal infections are increasing in prevalence, e.g. in patients with HIV infection & in patients being treated for malignancy (i.e., opportunistic infection)
how fungal infections present in immunosuppressed patients?
In immunosuppressed patients, infections may present insidiously or late, leading to a poor response to treatment
are fungi prokaryotes?
NO
Fungi = eukaryotes (i.e. have same cellular structure as host/human cells) versus bacteria = prokaryotes: greater challenges in developing non-toxic antifungal agents
what it is more difficult to develop human non-toxic antifungals
Fungi = eukaryotes (i.e. have the same cellular structure as host/human cells) versus bacteria = prokaryotes: greater challenges in developing non-toxic antifungal agents
does C. Albicans intrinsically resistant to azoles?
no, it acquires resistance
1) Candida krusei—–intrinsically resistant to fluconazole)
2) Candida albicans—-susceptible to fluconazole BUT can also acquire resistance to fluconazole
3) Candida Auris (emerging species)—-associated with infection outbreaks in hospitals – most resistant to fluconazole, with variable resistance to other antifungal classes
4) Aspergillus fumigatus—acquired azole resistance
what are the candida species that intrinsically resistant to azoles?
Candida krusei-----intrinsically resistant to fluconazole) Candida Auris (emerging species)----associated with infection outbreaks in hospitals – most resistant to fluconazole, with variable resistance to other antifungal classes
what is the mechanism of action of antifungals?
azoles and amphotericin B act on cell membrane:
act on sterols, including ergosterol, in the fungal cell membrane, causing increased permeability & leakage of cell constituents
e.g. polyenes such as amphotericin B inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis which causes leakage of cellular constituents
what antifungals act on cell wall?
interfere with synthesis of glucan in the cell wall
e.g. echinocandins
how do azoles work?
Inhibit fungal cytochrome P450, which decreases fungal synthesis of ergosterol from lanosterol
how do amphotericin B works?
Bind to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane, which forms pores that disrupt electrolyte balance
how do echinocandins work?
Inhibit synthesis of β-glucan (a component of the fungal cell wall)
which antifungal interfere with DNA and RNA synthesis?
5-fluorocytosine
onverted to 5-fluorouracil by fungal cytosine deaminase, which then inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis
which antibiotic interferes with folate metabolism and used for PCP treatment?
. co-trimoxazole
what are the members of polyenes?
Amphotericin B & nystatin
how terbinafine works?
Inhibit fungal squalene epoxidase, which decreases ergosterol synthesis
how polyenes are administered?
Topical-nystatin mouthwash
systemic- amphotericin B lipid formulation (intravenous)
what are the signs of amphotericin toxicity?
–Toxicity can cause arrhythmias → cardiac arrest
–Nephrotoxicity
–Fever, chills
–Hypotension
–IV phlebitis (“amphoterrible”)
–Hypokalemia
–Hypomagnesemia
–Anemia
–Hearing loss
–Neuropathy
Lipid formulations have fewer side effects but more expensive, e.g. liposomal amphotericin B (Ambisome) or amphotericin B lipid complex
what are the routes of azole administration?
– topical: miconazole
– systemic (oral & parenteral)
– fluconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, isavconazole
what is the spectrum of activity of azoles?
Fluconazole: Candida albicans (not C. krusei) but no activity against moulds
Voriconazole: all Candida & Aspergillus spp.
Posaconazole: Candida, Aspergillus & Mucorales spp.
do azoles work on C krusei?
no
what are the side effects of azoles?
1) Hepatotoxicity
- Inhibits cytochrome P-450 → ↑ concentration of many drugs metabolized by P-450 (e.g., warfarin, simvastatin, cyclosporine, theophylline, etc.)
2) Gastrointestinal upset
3) Gynecomastia
4) QT prolongation → torsade de pointes
5) Hypokalemia
6) Additionally in ketoconazole
- -Adrenal cortex insufficiency
- -Topical use: local burning, reaction, and/or pruritus
7) Additionally in voriconazole
- -Dose-dependent, reversible visual disorders
- -Photosensitivity
echinocandins can be administered orally. True/False
Fale
intravenous only
echinocandins work on?
Candida spp., Aspergillus spp.
what are the side effects of echinocandins?
- -flushing
- -Hypotension
- -Hepatotoxicity
- -Gastrointestinal upset
- -Phlebitis/pain at injection site
- -Fever, shivering
what are the uses of terbinafine?
– For the treatment of tinea (ringworm) and fungal nail infection (onychomycosis)
– Oral or topical
– Mechanism of action-interferes with ergosterol synthesis
– Accumulates in keratin- good for treating dermatophyte infections
– Few interactions (monitor LFTs on oral therapy)
o Generally well- tolerated
why terbinafine is good for dermatophyte infections?
Accumulates in keratin
what are the agents of choice in superficial fungal infections?
1) Superficial infections—topical antifungals for 1 - 4 weeks
2) Extensive skin or nail infection—oral antifungals for 2 - 10 weeks
3) Onychomycosis (nail infection) – duration is until the nail grows out, terbinafine: 6-12 weeks, itraconazole for 1 week every month for 3 months
4) Candidiasis (thrush): topical azoles/polyenes +/- oral agents
what are the treatment options for systemic or opportunistic mycoses?
- Amphotericin B for unknown or unidentified invasive fungal infection
- Caspofungin for invasive infection due to Candida spp, pending susceptibility data, were available - empiric treatment
- Fluconazole for invasive infection caused by Candida albicans& other susceptible strains
- Voriconazole for invasive aspergillosis
- Amphotericin B & flucytosine for cryptococcal meningitis
ampho B and flucytosine are used for?
cryptococcal meningitis
how P. jiroveci (carinii) infection is treated?
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) is the drug of choice, high dose IV
- Dapsone or clindamycin may be used
- Adjunctive corticosteroids are indicated if there is severe hypoxia
what antifungals are used for prophylaxis of fungal diseases in patients with HIV?
• Anti-candida prophylaxis
- Fluconazole
• Following treatment of cryptococcosis
- long term fluconazole
• Anti-PCP
- e.g. PO co-trimoxazole nebulized pentamidine
N.B. Patients on HAART with viral suppression do not need long-term prophylaxis
what antifungals are used for prophylaxis of fungal diseases in hematology and oncology patients?
- -Anti-candida prophylaxis: oral fluconazole
- -Anti-aspergillus prophylaxis: oral posaconazole for at-risk patients (also protects against candida)
e. g., AML, allogeneic HSCT, at-risk inpatients if proximity to demolition, construction, renovation work
what azole is used for aspergillus prophylaxis?
posaconazole
what are the challenges in developing antiviral agents?
- Intracellular pathogens not extracellular
- Latency, i.e. dormant for years (HSV, VZV, CMV, EBV)
- Lack of culture systems for some viruses
- Uncertainty regarding many viral genetic functions & pathogenic properties