Parasite Pharmacology - Burkin Flashcards
What are the characteristics of protozoa?
- eukaryotic
- 80S ribosomes
- cholesterol in membrane
- no cell wall
- metabolic pathways similar to animal cells
- VERY SIMILAR TO HUMAN CELLS
Name the anti-malarial drugs.
- quinine
- chloroquine
- primaquine
- antimetabolites
Name some other anti-protozoal drugs.
- metronidazole
- diloxanide
- nifurtimox
- suramin
What drugs are effective against the malaria parasite when it is in the mosquito?
The sporontocides:
- primaquine
- proguanil
- pyrimethamine
What drugs are effective against the malaria parasite when it is in human tissue?
The tissue schizontocides:
- primaquine
- proquanil
- pyrimethamine
- tetracycline
What drugs are effective against the malaria parasite when it is in human blood?
The blood schizontocides:
- chloroquine
- quinine, quinidine
- mefloquine
- artesunate
- sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine
- halofantrine
- tetracycline
What is quinine used for?
Used to treat chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum.
What is the MOA of quinine?
It blocks heme polymerization. This leads to toxic build up in RBC and destruction of the RBC.
What are the adverse affects of quinine?
- cinchonism - like an overdose effect that can cause hemolytic anemia
- curare effect - paralysis and vasodilation
- myocardial depression
- vasodilation
- hemolytic anemia
What is Chloroquine used for?
- prophylaxis
- amebiasis
- acute malarial attacks
What is the MOA of Chloroquine?
It blocks plasmodial heme polymerization, increases heme concentrations which is toxic to the parasite.
What form of the parasite is sensitive to chloroquine?
The erythrocytic form. Is not effective against hypnozoites.
What are the adverse reactions of Chloroquine?
- prophylaxis - little toxicity
- Acute - anorexia, nausea, vomiting, headache, hemolytic anemia
- Amebicidal doses - photosensitization, retinopathy , leukopenia
- do not take with anti-diarrheals because makes chloroquine less effective
What is Primaquine used for?
Used to treat latent liver forms of P. vivax and P. ovale. Also effective for blood stages of parasite.
What is the MOA of Primaquine?
Binds to DNA, damages mitochondria and inhibits protein synthesis.