Antiparasitics Flashcards
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What’s a Zoonotic disease?
In veterinary medicine, a zoonotic disease refers to any illness that can be transmitted from animals to humans. These diseases can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, or other pathogens. Zoonotic diseases are of particular concern because they have the potential to spread between different species, including humans, leading to outbreaks or epidemics.
what are vectors for diseases?
Vectors for diseases are organisms, typically insects or other arthropods, that can transmit pathogens from one host to another. These vectors play a crucial role in the transmission cycle of many diseases, particularly those caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. By acting as carriers for these pathogens, vectors can introduce diseases into new populations and geographical regions.
whats a drug family?
A drug family refers to a group of medications that share similar chemical structures, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic effects. Drugs within the same family often target similar biological pathways or physiological systems, which can lead to similar therapeutic outcomes or side effects. Drug families can encompass a wide range of medications, including antibiotics, antidepressants, antihypertensives, analgesics, and many others.
Ivermectin
Ivermectin is a medication primarily used to treat parasitic infections in both animals and humans. It belongs to a class of drugs called antiparasitic agents and works by interfering with the nerve and muscle function of parasites, leading to their paralysis and eventual death.
selamectin
medication used in veterinary medicine. Selamectin is an antiparasitic agent belonging to the avermectin class of drugs, similar to ivermectin. Selamectin is primarily used in the treatment and prevention of parasites in dogs and cats. It is commonly found in topical formulations applied to the skin (spot-on) and is effective against a variety of parasites, including fleas, ticks, ear mites, sarcoptic mange mites, and certain intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms.
whats the most common parasite vets try to kill with topical medicine?
THE FLEA!
whats a topical medication?
When an antiparasitic medication is described as “topical,” it means that the medication is applied directly to the surface of the skin rather than being administered orally or injected into the body. Topical antiparasitic treatments typically come in the form of solutions, sprays, spot-ons, or ointments.
OTC?
OTC stands for “over-the-counter.” It refers to medications, treatments, or products that are available for purchase without a prescription from a healthcare professional. These products are typically sold directly to consumers in pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores, or online platforms.
what should every antiparasitic consist of?
Selective toxicity to the target parasite with safety for the host. Selective toxicity refers to the ability of a substance, typically a medication or chemical agent, to selectively target and kill or inhibit the growth of certain organisms or cells while causing minimal harm to other organisms or cells, particularly those of the host organism. In other words, a selectively toxic substance is effective against the target organism or pathogen while sparing the host organism’s cells or tissues.
-Economical: When a pesticide is considered economical in veterinary medicine, it means that it provides effective control of pests or parasites at a reasonable cost relative to the benefits it offers.
-Effective at all parasitic development stages with a single dose
-Safe for old, very young, pregnant, or debilitated animals.
-Does not produce resistance in the target parasite- any product prescribed by a veterinarian should be highly effective to ensure all are demolished.
-but, ……… every animal is different, so, yeah. good luck!
what’s an endoctocide?
kills both endoparasites and ectoparasites, includes most of the currently marketed antiparacitics.
Anthelmintic
general internal parasiticide: antinematodal - vs roundworms, anticestodal - vs tapeworms, antitrematodal - against flukes, antiprotozoal - against protozoa
Vermicide
worm killer
vermifuge
worm paralyzer
in what two groups do antiparasitics go into?
antinematodals, anticestodals.
What’s a nematode?
NEMATODE = Roundworms: A nematode, also known as a roundworm, is a type of worm belonging to the phylum Nematoda. Nematodes are among the most abundant and diverse groups of animals on Earth, found in various habitats ranging from soil and freshwater to marine environments. They are known for their long, slender, cylindrical bodies with tapered ends and are typically microscopic to several millimeters in size, although some species can grow much larger.
Macrolides (avermectines and milbemycin)
Macrolides are a class of antibiotics that are characterized by a large lactone ring structure. They are bacteriostatic, meaning they inhibit bacterial growth by interfering with protein synthesis in susceptible bacteria. Macrolides are often used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, particularly those caused by gram-positive bacteria, some gram-negative bacteria, and certain atypical bacteria.
Benzimidazoles
a class of medications commonly used as anthelmintics, meaning they are used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms, including nematodes (roundworms) and cestodes (tapeworms).
what are cestodes?
Tapeworms.
Pyrantel
Pyrantel is an anthelmintic medication commonly used to treat parasitic infections caused by certain intestinal worms, particularly nematodes (roundworms). It is often used to treat infections in both humans and animals.
Piperazine
Piperazine is an anthelmintic medication used to treat infections caused by certain intestinal worms, particularly roundworms and pinworms. It works by paralyzing the worms’ muscles, which leads to their expulsion from the body through bowel movements.
Emodepside
Emodepside, a cyclooctadepsipeptide anthelmintic predominantly employed in veterinary medicine, acts by targeting specific latrophilin receptors in parasitic nematodes, disrupting their neuromuscular function and inducing paralysis and eventual death. Its efficacy extends across a wide range of gastrointestinal and tissue-dwelling worms, rendering it a versatile treatment option in veterinary practice. Emodepside is distinguished by its favorable safety profile, exhibiting relatively low toxicity in animals, thereby minimizing adverse effects. While primarily used in veterinary settings, ongoing research explores its potential applications in human medicine, suggesting promising prospects for the treatment of parasitic infections in humans.
What are Macrolides
Veterinarians play a critical role in understanding and utilizing macrolide antibiotics in veterinary medicine. Macrolides, characterized by a macrocyclic lactone ring structure, are bacteriostatic agents that inhibit bacterial growth by interfering with protein synthesis. They bind to the bacterial ribosome, particularly the 50S subunit, disrupting the elongation of the polypeptide chain during protein synthesis, ultimately leading to bacterial cell death.
MOA
Mode of action
Alopecia
Alopecia is a medical term used to describe partial or complete hair loss, either in localized areas or across the entire body. It can affect humans as well as animals. Alopecia can be temporary or permanent and may result from a variety of factors including genetics, autoimmune disorders, hormonal imbalances, infections, medications, stress, and certain medical treatments such as chemotherapy.
whats pruritus
Pruritus is a medical term referring to itching
Doramectin.
Doramectin is a veterinary medication belonging to the macrocyclic lactone class of compounds. It is primarily used to treat and prevent parasitic infections in livestock and companion animals. Doramectin works by disrupting the nerve transmission in parasites, leading to paralysis and ultimately death. It is effective against a broad spectrum of internal and external parasites, including gastrointestinal worms, lungworms, mites, and lice. Doramectin is available in various formulations such as injectables, pour-ons, and oral preparations, providing flexibility in administration. It’s an important tool in veterinary medicine for controlling parasitic infections and promoting animal health and welfare.