MI: Antivirals Flashcards
Describe two approaches to antiviral treatment.
- Drugs targetting viral proteins
- Drugs that modulate host immune response (e.g. interferon)
How are viral infections normally detected by the immune system?
Viral genetic material and proteins are detected by pattern-recognition receptors which trigger an innate immune response leading production of anti-viral cytokines (e.g. interferon)
List some limiting factors for antiviral therapy.
- Impaired host immune response
- Adherence to treatment
- Antiviral drug resistance
- Drug toxicity
What is a possible complication of shingles?
Post-herpetic neuralgia
How might shingles present differently in immunocompromised patients?
Multi-dermatomal distribution or invasive disease
What is the main treatment option for VZV infection?
Aciclovir (PO or IV)
Outline the mechanism of action of aciclovir.
It is a nucleoside (guanosine) analogue inhibits viral DNA polymerase and also blocks strand elongation (lacks 3’ OH group)
In which 2 ways is aciclovir specific in targeting viruses?
- Requires activation by viral thymidine kinase (which is only present in host cells that are infected by the virus)
- Has a higher affinity for viral DNA polymerase than host DNA polymerase
What is the prodrug of aciclovir? How does it differ from aciclovir?
Valaciclovir - can only be adminstered orally
What are two 2nd line treatment options for aciclovir-resistant HSV/VZV infection?
- Foscarnet - viral DNA polymerase inhibitor
- Cidofovir - cytidine analogue
HSV encephalitis is a medical emergency. How should it be treated?
- IMMEDIATE treatment with IV aciclovir 10 mg/kg TDS on clinical suspicion without waiting for test results
- If confirmed, treat for 14-21 days
What are symptoms of HSV encephalitis
Fever + confusion, seizures, altered consciousness
What is HSV meningitis and how should it be treated?
Usually self-limiting
Immunocompromised patients and those who are unwell enough to require hospital admission require treatment
- IV aciclovir for 2-3 days followed by oral aciclovir for 10 days
List some indications for treatment of VZV.
- Infection in adults (high risk of pneumonitis)
- Shingles in > 50 years (risk of post-herpetic neuralgia)
- Infection in immunocompromised patients
- Neonatal infection
- If increased risk of complications (e.g. underlying lung disease)
What is CMV?
Beta-herpesvirus that causes opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients
In which cells does CMV lie dormant?
Monocyte and dendritic cells
List some consequences of CMV infection in immunocompromised patients.
- Bone marrow suppression
- Retinitis
- Pneumonitis
- Hepatitis
- Colitis
- Encephalitis
What is a characteristic histological feature of CMV infection?
Owl’s eye inclusion
What is the 1st line treatment option for CMV infection?
Ganciclovir (IV) and reduce immunosuppression
Which patient group is given ganciclovir as prophylaxis?
Solid-organ transplant patients
Describe pre-emptive therapy for CMV
Used for HSCT transplant patients
- Monitoring with weekly blood CMV PCR
- Gancicolvir/valganciclovir initiated when viral load reaches certain threshold e.g. 1000 c/ml
- This threshold is a reached a week before the onset of disease