MICRO: Antivirals Flashcards
What are the main pathways targeted by antivirals?
- Reverse transcription
- Transcription and translation
- Release (cell lysis)
What is a virus?
- Obligate intracellular parasites
- Metabolically inert
- Rely on host cell for replication
What are some virally encoded proteins that can be targeted with DAAs?
- nucleic acid polymerases,
- proteases,
- integrase,
- CCR5,
- terminase
Viruses encode specific proteins required for cell entry, genomic replication or transcription, assembly and release of progeny virions.
What are small molecule inhibitors AKA? What is their MOA?
Small molecule inhibitors - directly-acting antivirals (DAAs)
Interfere with the function viral proteins and inhibit viral replication
What does immunomodulation depend on? Give 3 examples of immunomodulation.
Boosting the innate immune response e.g. by increasing the production of type 1 interferons (IFNs)
Examples:
- Interferon for HBV and HCV,
- IVIG for viral pneumonitis,
- Imiquimod for HPV,
- Steroids for HSE (?)
- IL-6 receptor antagonist for COVID
List the herpesviruses and their clinical syndromes. Which ones are rapid vs slow growing?
HSV1, HSV2 and VZV are rapid growing
CMV, HHV-6 and HHV-7 are slow growing
Name a complication of chickenpox and zoster in adults.
Chickenpox - Pneumonitis
Zoster - Post-herpetic neuralgia
Define prodrug.
A prodrug is an inactive precursor of a drug, that is metabolized into the active form within the body.
Which antivirals are used for HSV and VZV? What do they interfere with?
Interfere with viral DNA synthesis
1st line:
- Aciclovir (po or iv)
- Valaciclovir (prodrug of aciclovir, po, high bioavailability)
- Famciclovir
2nd line:
- Foscarnet or cidofovir for ACV-resistant virus
- Ganciclovir
What type of drug is aciclovir? What is its MOA?
Guanosine analogue
MOA - Analogue of guanosine but further elongation of the chain by the virus is impossible because acyclovir lacks the 3’ hydroxyl group necessary for the insertion of an additional nucleotide
What herpesviruses are guanosine analogues most selective for?
Susceptibility: HSV-1 > HSV-2 >> VZV
Why does aciclovir not incorporate into the host DNA?
Its affinity for herpesvirus DNA polymerase is 10- to 30- fold higher than for cellular (host) DNA polymerase for ACV-PPP
Which enzyme converts aciclovir into the active form?
- First monophosphorylated by viral thymidine kinase (TK)
- Then further phosphorylated by cellular kinases to teh active form (ACV-PPP)
IV aciclovir
What is the treatment for HSV encephalitis?
Immediate IV aciclovir 10mg/kg TDS (do not wait for test results)
Treat for 14-21days until PCR negative
Give 4 indications for treating VZV.
- Chickenpox in an adult (risk: pneumonitis)
- Zoster in >50yo (risk: post-herpetic neuralgia)
- Primary infection or reactivation in immunocompromised
- Neonatal chickenpox
The following statements concern the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. Choose the best answer
- Oseltamivir directly inhibits the influenza neuraminidase
- Zanamivir blocks binding of viral haemagglutinin to host cell sialic acid
- Oseltamivir inhibits influenza virus uncoating
- Zanamivir is usually given intravenously
- Zanamivir is usually given by nebuliser
1
The following statements concern resistance to antiviral drugs. Choose the best answer.
- Resistance of HSV to aciclovir is common in the immunocompetent
- Phenotypic resistance testing is routinely used to detect resistance of CMV to ganciclovir
- Aciclovir resistance in HSV is most commonly mediated by mutations in the viral thymidine kinase
- Aciclovir resistance in HSV is most commonly mediated by mutations in the viral DNA polymerase
- Antiviral drug resistance is most commonly associated with good adherence to treatment
3
Which cells does CMV lie latent in?
Monocytes
Dendritic cells
What are the symptoms of CMV infection in the immunocompromised?
e.g. post transplant:
- BM suppression,
- retinitis,
- pneumonitis,
- hepatitis,
- colitis,
- encephalitis
What antivirals are first line for CMV? What can be given alongside these in transplant patients with CMV pneumonitis?
1st line
- Ganciclovir GCV iv
- OR Valganciclovir (VGC) po – prodrug of ganciclovir
2nd line: Foscarnet IV/intravitreal (for retinitis)
3rd line: Cidofovir IV
Letermovir can also be used.
Transplant patients with CMV pneumonitis = add IVIG
What is the use of Letermovir in CMV?
Can be used as prophylaxis in CMV IgG+ HSCT recipients
GCV/cGCV can also be used prophylactically to prevent CMV especially in solid organ transplant patients
Which antiviral is only CMV specific (i.e. has no activity against other HHVs)? What is its MOA?
Letermovir
MOA: CMV DNA terminase* inhibitor
(* Cleavage and packaging of viral progeny DNA into capsids)
What are the side effects of Letermovir?
- Mainly safe
- GI disturbance
- Drug interactions e.g. with cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus
What is the management of SCT patients to prevent CMV?
Pre-emptive therapy used i.e. monitoring eg weekly blood CMV PCR and giving vGCV/GCV or foscarnet Rx when PCR +ve
What is the MOA of ganciclovir? What enzyme converts ganciclovir into its active form?
MOA: Guanosine analogue which inhibits viral DNA synthesis
Viral UL97 kinase
What are the side effects of GCV? How does it compare to ACV?
Less easily tolerated than ACV
- BM toxicity (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anaemia, pancytopenia) - contraindicated in those with BM suppression
- Renal and hepatic toxicity (renally excreted)