Antiviral & Antifungal Infections & Medications

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering fungal and viral pathogens, distinguishing characteristics, mechanisms of action, and clinical pharmacology based on lecture notes by Lynn A. Kelso, DNP.

Dermatophytes

Fungi that cannot grow at core body temperature and consequently cause superficial mycoses of the skin and mucous membranes.

Yeast

A single-cell organism that reproduces by budding, where newly formed buds separate and mature into identical daughter cells.

Hyphae

The long, hollow branching filaments that form the structural units of molds.

Dimorphic Fungi

Fungi whose morphological growth form varies depending upon temperature, growing either as single-celled yeasts or multicellular mold filaments.

Candidiasis

An opportunistic infection caused by a yeast-like fungus normally residing in the mouth, skin, intestinal tract, and vagina; often manifests as a superinfection after antimicrobials interrupt normal flora.

Candida auris

A fungal pathogen requiring healthcare contact precautions (hand sanitizer, gowns, and gloves); noted in institutional settings for causing skin colonization without necessarily producing an active infection.

Cryptococcus

An airborne, inhaled fungal pathogen associated with bird droppings and contaminated soil that frequently manifests as meningitis, presenting the greatest danger to immunocompromised patients.

Blastomycosis

A non-opportunistic infection caused by inhalation of Blastomyces dermatitidis, endemic to the Eastern U.S., causing pulmonary and chronic cutaneous granulomatous lesions.

Azole Antifungals

A class of antifungal medications that inhibit lanosterol $14\boldsymbol{\alpha}\text{-demethylase}$, the critical enzyme needed to convert lanosterol into ergosterol.

Echinocandins

An antifungal drug class including micafungin, anidulafungin, and caspofungin that inhibits cell wall synthesis by targeting $1,3\text{-}\beta\text{-glucan synthase}$.

Allylamines

An antifungal category including naftifine, terbinafine, and amorolfine that acts by inhibiting squalene epoxidase.

Flucytosine

A pyrimidine analogue active against yeast infections that is converted into $5\text{-fluorouracil}$ by the fungal enzyme cytosine deaminase.

Griseofulvin

An antifungal agent that inhibits mitosis in dermatophytes and is ineffective when administered topically.

Amphotericin B

A polyene antifungal that binds sterols in fungal cell membranes to form pores and channels, producing leakage and death; can be fungistatic or fungicidal depending on concentration.

Amphoterrible Pre-medication Protocol

Prophylactic administration of diphenhydramine (Benadryl), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and dantrolene or meperidine (Demerol) to prevent infusion reactions and manage rigors during Amphotericin B therapy.

Ketoconazole (Nizoral)

An azole antifungal available in topical forms (gel, shampoo, cream, foam) and PO formulations; has additionally been used in the management of advanced prostatic cancer.

Miconazole (Monistat)

An azole agent formulated as a topical, a buccal tablet (Oravig), or for PO and vaginal administration.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

A double-stranded DNA herpes virus for which $80\%$ of the population tests positive for antibodies; typically asymptomatic in immunocompetent hosts but potentially severe or fatal in immunocompromised individuals.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)

The causative agent of infectious mononucleosis, presenting clinically with fever, fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands.

Herpes Zoster

An acute, unilateral, segmental inflammation of the dorsal root ganglion caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), resulting in severe neuralgia, deep pain, fever, malaise, and localized rash.

Acyclovir (Zovirax)

An antiviral agent excreted $70\%$ unchanged in urine that reaches CSF concentrations of about $50\%$ of serum levels; requires monitoring urine output for $2\,\text{hours}$ post-infusion to report any $50\%$ decrease.

Oseltamivir Phosphate (Tamiflu)

An oral influenza antiviral (capsule or suspension) whose clinical efficacy requires initiation ideally within $48\,\text{hours}$ of symptom onset; common adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, bronchitis, insomnia, and vertigo.

Zanamivir (Relenza)

An inhaled antiviral agent used for influenza that should be withheld or used with extreme caution in patients with underlying chronic respiratory conditions like COPD.

Peramivir (Rapivab)

An intravenous single-dose antiviral medication indicated for early influenza treatment in patients aged $6\,\text{months}$ and older.

Baloxavir Marboxil (Xofluza)

A single-dose oral antiviral approved for treating influenza in patients aged $12\,\text{years}$ and older, or children aged $5\text{ to }12\,\text{years}$ who have no chronic medical conditions.