Lippincott Chapter 44: Anthelmintic Drugs Flashcards
44.1 A 48-year-old immigrant from Mexico presents with
seizures and other neurologic symptoms. Eggs of
T. solium are found upon examination of a stool specimen.
A magnetic resonance image of the brain shows many
cysts, some of which are calcified. Which one of the
following drugs would be of benefit to this individual?
A. Ivermectin.
B. Pyrantel pamoate.
C. Albendazole.
D. Diethylcarbamazine.
E. Niclosamide.
Correct answer = C. The symptoms and other findings
for this patient are consistent with neurocysticercosis.
Albendazole is the drug of choice for the treatment of this
infestation. The other drugs are not effective against the lar-
val forms of tapeworms.
44.2 A 56-year-old man from South America is found to be
parasitized by both schistosomes and T. solium—the
pork tapeworm. Which of the following anthelmintic
drugs would be effective for both infestations?
A. Albendazole.
B. Ivermectin.
C. Mebendazole.
D. Praziquantel.
Correct answer = D. Praziquantel is a primary drug for the
treatment of trematode and cestode infestations. Although
albendazole is effective in cysticercosis, it is not active
against flukes, and this patient has no evidence of cysti-
cercosis. Ivermectin and mebendazole treat nematode
infestations.
44.3 Which of the following medications inhibits the
phosphorylation of adenosine diphosphate?
A. Albendazole.
B. Mebendazole.
C. Niclosamide.
D. Praziquantel.
Correct answer = C. Niclosamide inhibits the parasite’s
mitochondrial phosphorylation of adenosine diphosphate
(ADP), which produces usable energy in the form of ade-
nosine triphosphate (ATP).
44.4 Which of the following medications used to treat river
blindness targets chloride channels and can cause a
Mazzotti reaction?
A. Ivermectin.
B. Praziquantel.
C. Pyrantel pamoate.
D. Albendazole.
Correct answer = A. Ivermectin targets the parasite’s gluta-
mate-gated chloride channel receptors. Chloride influx and
hyperpolarization occur, resulting in paralysis of the worm.
