Antiviral Drugs: Mechanism, Types, and Resistance

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary mechanism of action of nucleoside analogues?

They inhibit the protease enzyme necessary for viral replication.

They mimic nucleosides to inhibit viral replication. (correct)

They bind to reverse transcriptase to inhibit viral replication.

They prevent the fusion of the viral membrane with the host cell membrane.

Which of the following stages of the viral life cycle is targeted by neuraminidase inhibitors?

Release (correct)

Uncoating

Translation

Transcription

What is a major factor contributing to antiviral drug resistance?

Prolonged treatment duration

Increased frequency of antiviral drug administration

Increased dosage of antiviral drugs

Poor patient adherence to treatment regimens (correct)

What is the mechanism of action of fusion inhibitors?

They prevent the fusion of the viral membrane with the host cell membrane Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of mutations in the viral genome?

Mechanism of resistance to antiviral drugs Signup and view all the answers

What is the target of protease inhibitors?

The protease enzyme Signup and view all the answers

Match the following antiretroviral therapy classes with their mechanisms of action:

NRTIs = Inhibit HIV reverse transcriptase NNRTIs = Inhibit HIV protease PIs = Inhibit HIV entry into host cells Fusion Inhibitors = Inhibit HIV reverse transcriptase Signup and view all the answers

Match the following consequences of antiviral drug resistance with their descriptions:

Reduced drug efficacy = Treatment failure Treatment failure = Transmission of resistant virus strains Transmission of resistant virus strains = Reduced drug efficacy Development of drug resistance = Ability of a virus to multiply and survive in the presence of an antiviral drug Signup and view all the answers

Match the following antiretroviral therapy classes with their targets:

NRTIs = HIV integrase NNRTIs = HIV reverse transcriptase PIs = HIV protease Fusion Inhibitors = HIV entry into host cells Signup and view all the answers

Match the following HAART treatment goals with their descriptions:

Suppress HIV replication = Improve quality of life Preserve immune function = Suppress HIV replication Improve quality of life = Preserve immune function Adherence to complex treatment regimens = Managing side effects and toxicity Signup and view all the answers

Match the following mechanisms of antiviral drug resistance with their descriptions:

Genetic mutation = Virus finds alternative ways to replicate Drug efflux = Virus pumps out the drug Alternative metabolic pathways = Virus develops genetic changes that reduce drug binding Development of drug resistance = Ability of a virus to multiply and survive in the presence of an antiviral drug Signup and view all the answers

Match the following challenges of HIV treatment with their descriptions:

Adherence to complex treatment regimens = Managing side effects and toxicity Managing side effects and toxicity = Development of drug resistance Development of drug resistance = Adherence to complex treatment regimens HAART = Combination of three or more ART drugs from different classes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definition and Mechanism

An antiviral drug is a medication that inhibits the growth or replication of viruses.
Antiviral drugs work by targeting specific stages of the viral life cycle, such as:
- Entry: Preventing the virus from entering host cells.
- Uncoating: Inhibiting the release of viral genetic material.
- Transcription: Blocking the transcription of viral genetic material.
- Translation: Interfering with the translation of viral proteins.
- Release: Preventing the release of new viral particles.

Types of Antiviral Drugs

Nucleoside analogues: Mimic nucleosides, the building blocks of DNA and RNA, to inhibit viral replication. Examples: Acyclovir, Zidovudine.
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors:Bind to reverse transcriptase, an enzyme necessary for viral replication. Examples: Nevirapine, Efavirenz.
Protease inhibitors: Inhibit the protease enzyme, which is necessary for viral replication. Examples: Ritonavir, Indinavir.
Fusion inhibitors: Prevent the fusion of the viral membrane with the host cell membrane. Examples: Enfuvirtide.
Neuraminidase inhibitors: Inhibit the release of new viral particles. Examples: Oseltamivir, Zanamivir.

Antiviral Drug Resistance

Mechanisms of resistance: Mutations in the viral genome, reduced drug uptake, or increased drug efflux.
Factors contributing to resistance:
- Inadequate dosage or treatment duration.
- Poor patient adherence to treatment regimens.
- Infection with multiple viral strains.

Antiviral Drug Classes by Virus

HIV: Nucleoside analogues, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, fusion inhibitors.
Herpesviruses: Nucleoside analogues (e.g., Acyclovir).
Influenza: Neuraminidase inhibitors (e.g., Oseltamivir).
Hepatitis: Nucleoside analogues, interferons, and direct-acting antivirals (e.g., Sofosbuvir).

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Description

Learn about antiviral drugs that inhibit the growth or replication of viruses. Understand the different types of antiviral drugs, their mechanisms of action, and how they can develop resistance. Explore the various antiviral drug classes used to treat different viruses.