Lecture 25 4/29/24 Flashcards
What are the general characteristics of antifungal treatment?
involves use of immunosuppressants
-treatment is typically longer than antibacterial treatment, especially in immunocompromised patients
-drugs can be fungistatic or fungicidal
-immune system must help inhibit infection
-“trial and error” approach not useful
What are the general characteristics of fungal cells?
-eukaryotic
-cell wall contains mannoproteins, glucans, and chitin
-ergosterol is required for cell membrane
How do azoles work against fungi?
-inhibit 14alpha-demethylase, which normally converts lanosterol to ergosterol
-depletion of ergosterol and accumulation of 14alpha-methylsterols disrupts the cell membrane
What is the spectrum of action for azoles?
widely used to treat a variety of mycoses
Which azoles fall into the imidazoles class?
-ketoconazole
-clotrimazole
-enilconazole
What are the characteristics of imidazoles?
-poor oral bioavailability
-used for superficial topical infections
Which azoles fall into the triazoles class?
-itraconazole
-fluconazole
-voriconazole
-posaconazole
What are the characteristics of triazoles?
-more slowly metabolized
-decreased impact on mammalian sterol synthesis
What leads to the side effects and drug interactions associated with azoles?
-cross-inhibition of mammalian P450 enzymes
-inhibition of drug transport by efflux transporter
What are the characteristics of ketoconazole?
-used in Malassezia dermatitis and feline nasal/cutaneous cryptococcosis
-has poor CNS penetration
-can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia
-given with food
-may mildly elevate liver enzymes; must monitor values
What are the characteristics of itraconazole?
-most widely used azole
-used for treatment of various fungi
-oral suspension or capsules
-not to be used compounded; may not be effective
-give capsules with meal
-does not penetrate protected sites
-accumulates in skin and claws
-possible hepatotoxicity and cutaneous ulceration
What are the characteristics of fluconazole?
-narrowest spectrum of activity for azoles
-activity limited to Candida, Cryptococcus, Malassezia, some others
-tablets only; no compounded drugs
-can be given with or without food
-accumulates in body fluids
-used for CNS or UTI
-side effects uncommon; can affect GI and liver
What are the characteristics of voriconazole?
-drug of choice for CNS and ocular infections
-active against Cryptococcus, A. fumigatus, and Candida
-treats systemic yeast and mold infections
-great oral bioavailability
-good concentration in CSF, aqueous humor, and synovial fluid
-can cause hyporexia, diarrhea, inc. liver enzymes, CNS signs, and coat/skin problems
-avoid use in cats
What are the characteristics of posaconazole?
-similar to itraconazole, but with better activity against Histoplasma, Blastomyces, and Coccidioides
-absorption improves when given with food
-typically given as delayed-release tablet
-GI side effects possible but not common
-safe and tolerated long-term
-no liver enzyme increases
What are the characteristics of amphotericin B?
-polyene macrolide
-broad spectrum
-irreversibly binds to sterols in fungal membrane to form pores/channels and lead to ion leakage
-generally fungistatic; fungicidal at high doses
-immunomodulatory/activates macrophages
-poor water solubility; not well absorbed from GI tract