Antimicrobial Pharmacology and Infectious Conditions

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering infectious diseases, parasitic infections, mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, and various antibacterial and antifungal drug classes.

Histoplasmosis

A fungal infection often found in areas with bird or bat droppings, typically treated with antifungal medications for moderate to severe cases, while mild infections may resolve on their own.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

A condition occurring when bacteria survive antibiotic treatment, often by altering their cell walls, producing deactivating enzymes, or forming protective biofilms.

Gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria that possess a thick cell wall which retains crystal violet stain, appearing purple under a microscope.

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria that possess a thinner cell wall, fail to retain violet stain, and appear pink; they are often harder to treat because their outer membrane can block some antibiotics.

Bacteriostatic antibacterial agents

Agents that slow bacterial growth, encompassing drug classes including tetracyclines, macrolides, lincosamides, sulfonamides, oxazolidinones, and chloramphenicol.

Bactericidal antibacterial agents

Agents that actively kill bacteria, encompassing drug classes such as aminoglycosides, beta-lactams (penicillins and cephalosporins), and fluoroquinolones.

Systemic fungal infection risk factors

Predisposing factors including immunocompromised states (HIV/AIDS, cancer, organ transplant, cystic fibrosis), diabetes, obesity, prolonged hospital stays, and long-term use of immunosuppressive medications.

Scabies

A condition caused by mites that presents clinically as itchy skin burrows and rashes.

Taeniasis

A tapeworm infection, frequently contracted from eating undercooked meat, that leads to digestive symptoms.

Ascariasis

An infection caused by Ascaris roundworms that typically results in abdominal discomfort and potentially blockage.

Babesiosis

A protozoal infection, often contracted via tick bites, characterized by symptoms that include fever and anemia.

Enterobiasis

A pinworm infection characterized by perianal itching, predominantly occurring at night.

Allylamines

An antifungal class that interferes with fungal cell membrane synthesis by targeting and inhibiting an enzyme necessary to produce ergosterol in the cell wall.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole / TMP-SMX (Bactrim)

A sulfonamide, anti-infective bacteriostatic antibiotic that blocks bacterial folate synthesis; commonly prescribed for UTIs, but risks side effects like rash, nausea, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and anemia.

Linezolid (Zyvox)

A synthetic bacteriostatic antibiotic in the oxazolidinone class that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis, used for resistant gram-positive infections like MRSA and VRE.

Clindamycin (Cleocin)

A lincosamide bacteriostatic antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis to treat skin, respiratory, bone, and gynecological infections; linked with adverse events like C. difficile-associated colitis.

Metronidazole (Flagyl)

A bactericidal agent used to treat bacterial and protozoal infections; requires avoiding alcohol during treatment and for $48\,\text{hours}$ afterward due to adverse reactions.

Amoxicillin (Amoxil)

A beta-lactam bactericidal antibiotic in the aminopenicillin class that inhibits cell wall synthesis; safe in pregnancy and lactation, but contraindicated for individuals with penicillin allergies.

Terbinafine (Lamisil)

An antifungal medication used for skin, nail, or scalp infections (administered topically or orally once daily for $6\text{--}12\,\text{weeks}$) that requires monitoring baseline liver function due to potential hepatotoxicity.

Ketoconazole (Nizoral)

An antifungal agent that interferes with fungal cell membrane formation; often prescribed for skin and yeast infections, taken with food to reduce stomach upset, and requiring monitoring for liver toxicity.