Antiviral and anti parasitic drugs Flashcards
What is a virus?
Nucleic acid in a protein coat
Why are viruses difficult to target?
Replicate inside host cell
Use host enzymes
Advanced stage before detection
How can vaccines be targeted outside the host cell?
Vaccines
Neuraminidase inhibitors
What are vaccines?
Given before patient comes in contact with virus
What are neuraminidase inhibitors?
Viruses that have infected one cell use neuraminidase to release themselves from this cell so they can infect others
Neuraminidase inhibitors stop them infecting other cells
How do we inhibit genetic replication and integration of viruses?
DNA polymerase inhibitors
Reverse transcriptase inhibitors
What are DNA polymerase inhibitors?
Prevent DNA making copies
Used against DNA viruses
What are reverse transcriptase inhibitors?
Prevent RNA to DNA copies
Used against RNA retrovirus
Give an example of a DNA polymerase inhibitor
Acyclovir
Used in treating herpes virus
Inhibits viral DNA polymerase
Terminates viral DNA chain extension
Give an example of reverse transcriptase inhibitors?
Used against AIDS
Nucleosides: e.g. lamivudine
Non-nucleosides e.g. efavirenz
What is integrate inhibition?
For HIV treatment
Viral DNA is incorporated into chromosomes using DNA integrate
Integrase inhibitor: raltegravir
Side effects include GI upset, rash, hepatitis
What are protease inhibitors?
AIDS
HIV mRNA is translated into 2 polyproteins
Saquinaviris a protease inhibitor
Side effects: GI, blood disorders, hyperglycaemia
What is highly active antiretroviral therapy?
2 nucleoside and 1 non neucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
What is the erythrocytic stage of malaria?
Haemoglobin source of amino acids
Haemolysis leads to fever
Parasite proteins clog blood vessels
What is chloroquine?
Prevents polymerisation of heam
Heam levels rise (toxic)
Works in the acute phase and chemoprophylaxis
