Antiprotozoal Drugs Flashcards
What does P. falciparum infect?
RBCs of all ages
What does P. vivax infect?
Reticulocytes
What 2 forms of plasmodium cause relapsing malaria?
P. vivax and ovale
What causes relapsing malaria?
The hypnozoite form of the parasite resides in the liver and is then released to cause a relapse
What is the Malaria parasite life cycle?
- Sporozoite injected by mosquito and goes to liver 2. Merozoite formed in liver 3.(Hypnozoite formed in P. vivax and ovale) 4. Merozoite invades, divides, ruptures RBCs, reinvade 5. Sexual stage produced by gametocytes which is taken up by mosquito
What drugs kill the sporozoites?
There are no drugs to kill sporozoites. You cannot prevent infection
What are the exoerythrocytic schizonticides?
Primaquine, Atovaquone, and Artemisinins
What are the Erythrocytic Schizonticides?
Chloroquine, Mefloquine, Artemisinins, Quinine, Doxycycline (Tetra), and Clindamycin
Dosing Regimen: Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate
Start 1-2 wks prior and continue 4 wks post (Used Sensitive Areas)
Dosing Regimen: Atovaquone + Proguanil
Start 1-2 d prior and continue 7 d post (All Areas)
Dosing Regimen: Mefloquine
Start >2 wks pre and continue 4 weeks post (Mefloquine sensitive areas
Dosing Regimen: Primaquine
Start 1-2 d pre till 7 ds post (in P. vivax areas)
Dosing Regimen: Doxy
Start 1-2 d pre and continue 4 wks post (All areas)
What is the treatment of choice for uncomplicated malaria caused by P. vivax or ovale that is chloroquine sensitive?
Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine PLUS Primaquine
What does Primaquine fight?
It conquers the hypnozoite stages in the liver
What is the treatment of choice for uncomplicated malaria caused by P. vivax or ovale that is chloroquine resistant?
1) Quinine Sulfate + doxycycline or Tetracycline + Primaquine 2) Atovaquone + Proguanil + Primaquine 3) Mefloquine + Primaquine
What is the treatment of choice for uncomplicated malaria from P. malariae or knowlesi?
Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine
What is the treatment regimen for complicated/severe malaria?
IV Quinidine gluconate + Doxy or Tetra or Clindamycin
What do you need to monitor with the severe malaria (Quinidine gluconate IV + Doxy) Regimen?
- Blood Pressure, 2. Cardiac Function, 3. Blood Glucose
What is another option for treatment of severe malaria?
Artesunate if quinidine gluconate is not available or not tolerated
What is the active group of Artemisinin?
Endoperoxide bridge is the active group and Fundamental to the drug’s function
What does Artemisinin fight against?
It is a rapid blood schizonticide, but does not affect liver stages. It is good for all species
What is the most successful Artemisinin Combination Therapy?
Pair Artemisinin (Short t1/2) with a longer t1/2 drug. Artemisinin provides rapid knockdown and other drugs gets remaining parasites
What are some common combinations with Artemisinin?
Artemether + Lumefantrine, Artesunate + mefloquine, Dihydroartemisinin + Piperaquine
What is the mechanism of action of the 4-substituted quinolines?
They are thought to accumulate in the food vacuole and inhibit heme polymerization
Why is it advantageous to block heme polymerization when fighting malaria parasites?
The parasites ingest Hbg from the host RBCs. The free heme is toxic so the parasite polymerizes it into hemozoin which is non-toxic. If you prevent this, then you maintain toxic heme in the cells.
Why do the pharmakokinetics of Chloroquine make it the drug of choice as an antimalarial?
- It is formulated for oral use and is well absorbed. 2. It has a very large Vd so it is slowly released from tissues. 3. Initial t1/2 = 3-5 d; Terminal t1/2 = 1-2 mos
What is the mechanism of Chloroqine resistance?
- Mechanism: Mutations in PfCRT1 which causes a reduced accumulation of chloroquine in the food vacuoles; 2. Mechansim: over-expression of PfMDR1 transporter
When is Chloroquine contraindicated?
Pts. with psoriasis or porphyria, Retina or visual field abnormalities, Myopathies
What should pts not take along with Chloroquine?
Antidiarrheal agent Kaolin and Calcium/Mg containing Antacids