Anti-parasitic
Encyclopedia
Antiparasitics are a class of medications which are indicated for the treatment of parasitic disease
s such as nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, infectious protozoa
, and amoeba
s.
Parasitic disease
A parasitic disease is an infectious disease caused or transmitted by a parasite. Many parasites do not cause diseases. Parasitic diseases can affect practically all living organisms, including plants and mammals...
s such as nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, infectious protozoa
Protozoa
Protozoa are a diverse group of single-cells eukaryotic organisms, many of which are motile. Throughout history, protozoa have been defined as single-cell protists with animal-like behavior, e.g., movement...
, and amoeba
Amoeba
Amoeba is a genus of Protozoa.History=The amoeba was first discovered by August Johann Rösel von Rosenhof in 1757. Early naturalists referred to Amoeba as the Proteus animalcule after the Greek god Proteus, who could change his shape...
s.
Antinematodes
- MebendazoleMebendazoleMebendazole or MBZ is a benzimidazole drug developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica and marketed as Vermox, Ovex, Antiox, and Pripsen...
(for most nematode infections) - Pyrantel pamoatePyrantel pamoatePyrantel pamoate or Pyrantel Embonate , is used as a deworming agent in the treatment of hookworms and roundworms in domesticated animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, cats, dogs, and many other species. It is a combination of pyrantel and pamoic acid...
(for most nematode infections) - ThiabendazoleThiabendazoleTiabendazole is a fungicide and parasiticide.-Fungicide:...
(for roundworm infections) - DiethylcarbamazineDiethylcarbamazineDiethylcarbamazine is an anthelmintic drug that does not resemble other antiparasitic compounds. It is a synthetic organic compound which is highly specific for several parasites and does not contain any toxic metallic elements.-Uses:...
(for treatment of Lymphatic filariasis) - Ivermectin (for prevention of river blindness)
Anticestodes
- NiclosamideNiclosamideNiclosamide is a teniacide in the anthelmintic family especially effective against cestodes that infect humans...
(for tapeworm infections) - PraziquantelPraziquantelPraziquantel is an anthelmintic effective against flatworms. Praziquantel is not licensed for use in humans in the UK; it is, however, available as a veterinary anthelmintic, and is available for use in humans on a named-patient basis....
(for tapeworm infections) - AlbendazoleAlbendazoleAlbendazole, marketed as Albenza, Eskazole, Zentel and Andazol, is a member of the benzimidazole compounds used as a drug indicated for the treatment of a variety of worm infestations. Although this use is widespread in the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved...
(broad spectrum)
Antiprotozoals
- MelarsoprolMelarsoprolMelarsoprol is a medicinal drug used in the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis. It is also sold under the trade names “Mel B” and “Melarsen Oxide-BAL.”...
(for treatment of sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma bruceiTrypanosoma bruceiTrypanosoma brucei is a parasitic protist species that causes African trypanosomiasis in humans and nagana in animals in Africa. There are 3 sub-species of T. brucei: T. b. brucei, T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense.These obligate parasites have two hosts - an insect vector and mammalian host...
) - EflornithineEflornithineEflornithine is a drug found to be effective in the treatment of facial hirsutism as well as in African trypanosomiasis...
(for sleeping sickness) - MetronidazoleMetronidazoleMetronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic medication used particularly for anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. Metronidazole is an antibiotic, amebicide, and antiprotozoal....
(for vaginitis caused by TrichomonasTrichomonasTrichomonas is a genus of anaerobic protists that are parasites of vertebrates. They are included with the parabasalids.Species of Trichomonas include:*Trichomonas vaginalis, an organism generally living inside the vagina of humans...
) - TinidazoleTinidazoleTinidazole is an anti-parasitic drug used against protozoan infections. It is widely known throughout Europe and the developing world as treatment for a variety of amoebic and parasitic infections...
(for intestinal infections caused by GiardiaGiardiaGiardia is a genus of anaerobic flagellated protozoan parasites of the phylum Metamonada in the supergroup "Excavata" that colonise and reproduce in the small intestines of several vertebrates, causing giardiasis, commonly known as Beaver fever...
) - MiltefosineMiltefosineMiltefosine is a phospholipid drug.Originally developed as an antineoplastic , it is finding use as an antiprotozoal drug...
(for the treatment of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, currently undergoing investigation for Chagas disease)
See also
- Naegleria fowleriNaegleria fowleriNaegleria fowleri is a free-living excavate form of protist typically found in warm bodies of fresh water, such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It is also found in soil, near warm-water discharges of industrial plants, and unchlorinated swimming pools in an amoeboid or temporary...
- Balamuthia mandrillarisBalamuthia mandrillarisBalamuthia mandrillaris is a free-living leptomyxid amoeba which is known to cause amoebiasis in humans, especially the deadly neurological condition known as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis . Balamuthia has not been definitively isolated in nature, but it is believed to be distributed...
- Chagas diseaseChagas diseaseChagas disease is a tropical parasitic disease caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. T. cruzi is commonly transmitted to humans and other mammals by an insect vector, the blood-sucking insects of the subfamily Triatominae most commonly species belonging to the Triatoma, Rhodnius,...