Questions and Answers
What is the definition of 'mycotic'?
Of, relating to, or caused by a fungus.
What are the original antifungals?
Amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine (flucytosine, 5-FC).
What are the four main classes of antifungal drugs?
Polyenes, Imidazoles, Triazoles, Echinocandins.
What is the most commonly used antifungal drug in the Polyene class?
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What is the mnemonic for the class Triazoles?
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What does 'fungistatic activity' refer to?
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What is 'minimum inhibitory concentration' (MIC)?
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What is 'fungicidal activity'?
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What are some examples of commonly used antifungals?
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How do mold and yeast differ?
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What is antifungal spectrum?
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What are antifungal combinations used for?
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Study Notes
Antifungal Agents Overview
- Mycotic refers to conditions or diseases caused by fungi.
- Treatment of mycotic diseases has evolved from older, more toxic agents to newer, safer alternatives.
Original vs. Contemporary Antifungals
- Original antifungals include amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine (flucytosine, 5-FC).
- Newer antifungal agents offer comparable or superior efficacy with reduced toxicity.
Classes of Antifungal Drugs
- Four main classes of antifungal drugs:
- Polyenes
- Imidazoles
- Triazoles
- Echinocandins
Polyene Class
- Amphotericin B is the primary antifungal in this class.
- Utilizes a unique mechanism of action, although specifics are not provided in this context.
Imidazole Class
- Key imidazole antifungals include:
- Ketoconazole
- Miconazole
- Clotrimazole
- Mnemonics available for easily remembering each drug.
Triazole Class
- Represented by drugs like fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole.
- "Class with the triangular hole" serves as a mnemonic for Triazoles.
- Specific mnemonics for fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole aid in recall.
Echinocandins Class
- Caspofungin is notable within this class.
- Mnemonic: "Caspo Fungus" highlights its name and function.
Commonly Used Antifungal Agents
- Other antifungals include griseofulvin, terbinafine, and flucytosine.
- Memorable mnemonics for griseofulvin (grizzly), terbinafine (wind turbine), and flucytosine (thermometer showing flu with stubbed toe) facilitate learning.
Mold vs. Yeast
- Mold structures consist of multicellular filaments called hyphae, forming colonies with multiple nuclei.
- Yeasts are unicellular fungi, comprising only a single cell.
Antifungal Spectrum
- The antifungal spectrum describes the range of fungi affected by an antifungal agent.
- Broad-spectrum antifungal agents target various fungi, whereas narrow-spectrum ones are limited to a few.
Fungistatic and Fungicidal Activity
- Fungistatic activity refers to the suppression of fungal growth, measured as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).
- Fungicidal activity indicates the ability to kill fungi, determined by minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC).
Antifungal Combinations
- Antifungal combinations may enhance effectiveness against persistent infections, widen treatment spectrum, or prevent the emergence of resistance.
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Description
Explore key terms and concepts related to antifungal agents through this informative quiz. Learn about mycotic definitions, the spectrum of antifungal activity, and metabolic pathways involved in ergosterol synthesis. Perfect for students studying pharmacology or microbiology.
