Antiprotozoals Flashcards
What are examples of anti-malarials used to treat acute attacks?
- Quinoline-methanols
- Artemisinin
- Sulfadoxin
- Pyrimethamine
What is the mechanism of action of quinoline-methanols?
The quinolone-methanols accumulate inside food vacuoles and inhibit formation of haemozoin, thus causing haem toxicity to the plasmodium
What are examples of quinoline-methanols?
- Quinine
- Chloroquine
- Mefloquine
What is the mechanism of action of artemisinin?
- Prodrug with dohydroartemisinin as active compond
- Mechanisms of action could include:
1. Generation of ROSs in food vacuole through formation of peroxide bridge
2. Inhibition of parasite electron transport chain
3. Inhibition of SERCA pump
4. Inhibition of Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (trafficking of Hb to food vacuole)
What is the mechanism of action of solfadoxin?
- Analogue of sulfamethoxazole
- Inhibits DHPS in the folate synthesis pathway
What is the mechanism of action of pyrimethamine?
- Analogue of trimethoprim
- Inhibits DHFR in the folate metabolism pathway
What is fansidar?
- Analogous to co-trimoxazole
- Combination of sulfadoxin and pyrimethamine
What are examples of anti Trypanosoma drugs used to treat African sleeping sickness?
- Melasoprol
- Suramin
What is the mechanism of action of melasoprol?
- Prodrug that is metabolised to the active melarsen oxide in the parasite
- Arsenic compound that inhibit lipoic acid-dependent enzymes and dithiol containing metallo-enzymes
- Many of these enzymes are involved in respiratory chain, so ATP synthesis is affected
What is the mechanism of action of suramin?
May act by inhibiting glycolytic enzymes
What antibiotics can be used to treat protozoal infections?
- Tetracyclines
- Lincomycin
What anti-fungals can be used to treat protozoal infections?
- Amphotericin B
- Miconazole
