Antimicrobials

Question 1

What kind of antimicrobial are the polyenes? Give two examples.
What is their mechanism of effect?
Describe how each is administered and for what condition

Answer 1

Antifungals
Nystatin and amphotericin
Inhibit cell membrane function
Nystatin - topical treatment of candida
Amphotericin - IV treatment of systemic fungal infection (aspergillus)

Question 2

What kind of antimicrobial are the azoles and what microbes are they effective against?
What is the azoles mechanism of effect?
Give an example of an azole and what organism it is used against

Answer 2

Antifungals - yeasts and moulds
Inhibit cell membrane synthesis
Fluconazole - candida (thrush)
Posaconazole - aspergillus

Question 3

What kind of antimicrobial is aciclovir?
What is its mechanism of action?
What microbes and conditions is it prescribed against?

Answer 3

Anti-viral
Once phosphorylate it inhibits viral DNA polymerase
Herpes simplex - genital herpes, encephalitis
Varicella zoster - chicken pox and shingles

Question 4

What is the mechanism of action of tamiflu?

What influenza strains is it effective against?

Answer 4

Inhibits viral neuraminidase

Influenza A and B

Question 5

What kind of antimicrobial is metronidazole?
What is its mechanism of action?
What microbes is it effective against?

Answer 5

Antibacterial and antiprotozoal
Inhibits nucleic acid synthesis
Amoebae - dysentery and systemic
Giardia - diarrhoea
Trichomonas - vaginitis
C Diff - mild-moderate colitis