Antimicrobial Agents — Flashcards

Flashcard 371: Which drug for COVID-19 acts as a fusion inhibitor (e.g., by targeting the HR1/HR2 interaction)?

Answer: Umifenovir (Arbidol) :: EK1C4 is also a potent fusion inhibitor.

Extra: Umifenovir (Arbidol) is the drug most commonly cited as a fusion inhibitor for COVID-19 in medical exams. EK1C4 is a potent lipopeptide fusion inhibitor that targets the HR1/HR2 interaction (preventing 6-helix bundle formation). Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is classified as an entry/uncoating inhibitor because it increases endosomal pH, which prevents viral release; it is not a direct fusion inhibitor targeting HR1/HR2.

Flashcard 372: Which anti-malarial is also used for treating extra-intestinal amebiasis?_____

Answer: Chloroquine

Flashcard 373: _____ is the drug of choice for toxoplasmosis in pregnancy to prevent vertical transmission

Answer: Spiramycin

Extra: Spiramycin is used for the prevention of vertical transmission of toxoplasmosis when maternal infection is suspected or confirmed (and the fetus is not yet infected). If fetal infection is confirmed or for the treatment of cerebral/disseminated toxoplasmosis, the drug of choice is **Pyrimethamine + Sulfadiazine + Folinic acid** (Leucovorin).

Flashcard 374: _____ are a group of antibiotics that have additional anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities.

Answer: Macrolides

Flashcard 375: Prolonged use of which anti-tubercular drug may cause goitre?_____

Answer: Ethionamide

Flashcard 376: Linezolid is an example of a bacterio_____ drug.

Answer: static (cidal/static)

Flashcard 377: _____ is preferred for prophylactic therapy against bacteremia caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC).

Answer: Azithromycin

Flashcard 378: _____ are the only indication for the use of nalidixic acid

Answer: UTIs

Flashcard 379: Hydrogen peroxide is a _____ but acts as a poor antiseptic because it is rapidly degraded by the enzyme catalase in tissues.

Answer: disinfectant

Flashcard 380: Which fluoroquinolone are used for systemic infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa?_____

Answer: Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin