Pharm - GI Parasites Flashcards
gram positive, spore forming, anaerobic rod
- antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous diarrhea and colitis
C. difficile
which C. diff toxin is an enterotoxin, causing diarrhea?
toxin A
which C. diff toxin is a cytotoxin -> cytotoxic to the colonic cells?
toxin B
what does C. diff infection in the colon lead to?
red inflamed mucosa with areas of white exudate (pseudomembranes on the surface) of the large intestine
what antibiotics are frequently associated with C. diff infection?
- fluoroquinolones
- clindamycin
- cephalosporins
- penicillins
what antibiotics are rarely associated with C. diff infection, and thus can be used as treatment?
- vancomycin
- metronidazole
- fidaxomicin
- NOTE: aminoglycosides, tetracyclines mentioned on table
what is the preferred treatment for severe C. diff infection?
vancomycin
what is the preferred treatment for mild C. diff infection?.
metronidazole
- has disulfrum-like effect (pt will throw up if taken with alcohol) KNOW THIS
- also causes metallic-taste in mouth
what is the preferred treatment for recurrent C. diff infection?
fidaxomicin
- spares many anaerobic colonic flora
what is the most common cause of duodenal ulcers ad chronic gastritis?
H. pylori
what are the key drugs used to treat H. pylori infection?
- omeprazole (PPI)
- metronidazole
- tetracycline
- bismuth subsalicylate
“classic amoeba”
- trophozoites invade intestinal mucosa -> portal blood circulation -> liver abscesses
Entamoeba histolytica
what is the life cycles of entamoeba histolytica?
trophozoite -> binucleated precyst -> tetranucleated cyst (what is pathogenic)
what drugs are used to eliminate the invading trophozoites?
metronidazole or tinidazole
what drugs are used to eradicate intestinal carriage of the organism (luminal amebicide)
- *paromomycin** or iodoquinol
- no effect on extraintestinal organisms
when would you use luminal amebicide agents?
for asymptomatic carriers (cysts or trophozoites without internalized red blood cells in the cytoplasm)
NOTE: both metronidazole and tinidazole still given with luminal amebicide, to ensure eradication of infection)
what luminal amebicide is contraindicated in a patient with an iodine allergy/sensitivity?
iodoquinol
- used as luminal amebicide, no effect against extraintestinal organisms
what is the MOA of iodoquinol?
halogenated hydroxyquinoline
- 90% is retained in the intestine and excreted in the feces
what are the adverse effects of iodoquinol?
diarrhea, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, rash, pruritis
kite-shaped trophozoite, 5% of US adults and infected (mostly asymptomatic)
- coat small intestine, interfering with fat absorption
- do NOT invade the intestinal wall -> do NOT cause bloody stool
- gassy, frothy diarrhea
- must examine stool for cytst
giardia lamblia
what are the pharmacological agents used to treat giardia lamblia?
tinidazole (first line agent)
- or nitazoxanide
this drug inhibits the pyruvate-ferredoxin oxidoreductase enzyme (which is essential to anaerobic energy metabolism)
- is a prodrug, what is it’s active metabolite?
nitazoxanide
- active metabolite is tizoxanide
- rapidly absorbed, excreted in urine and feces
what are the adverse effects of nitazoxanide?
nausea, anorexia, flatulence, increased appetite, enlarged salivary glands, yellow eyes, dysuria, bright yellow urine
oocyst with 4 motile sporozoites
- life cycle occurs within intestinal epithelial cells (causing diarrhea and abdominal pain)
- self limiting if immunocompetent
- can be life threatening if immunocompromised (3-17 L/day)
cryptosporidium parvum
what is the treatment for cryptosporidium parvum?
- antidiarrheal AND antimicrobial
- antidiarrheal: loperamide (Sheehy’s favorite, the failed opioid that’s just a diarrhea med now)
- antimicrobial: nitazoxanide (preferred), or paromomycin
what drug therapy is given for cryptosporidium parvum treatment in HIV patients?
antiretroviral therapy + nitazoxanide
- the main goal is to restore immune function