Antifungal Agents: Classification, Mechanisms, and Resistance

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a major class of antifungal agents?

Accepted Answer

Sulfonamides

Answer

Polyenes

Answer

Imidazoles

Answer

Triazoles

Question 2

What is the primary mechanism of action of amphotericin B?

Accepted Answer

Disruption of cell membrane permeability

Answer

Inhibition of cell wall synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of ergosterol synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of DNA synthesis

Question 3

Which antifungal agent is a prodrug that requires activation by fungal enzymes?

Accepted Answer

Flucytosine

Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Itraconazole

Answer

Voriconazole

Question 4

What is the major target of echinocandins?

Accepted Answer

Cell wall synthesis

Answer

Cell membrane

Answer

Ergosterol synthesis

Answer

DNA synthesis

Question 5

Which of the following is a common adverse effect associated with polyene antifungal agents?

Accepted Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Answer

Neurotoxicity

Answer

Gastrointestinal disturbances

Question 6

What is the key advantage of topical antifungal agents?

Accepted Answer

Low risk of systemic toxicity

Answer

High bioavailability

Answer

Broad spectrum of activity

Answer

Rapid onset of action

Question 7

Which of the following is not considered a class of antifungal agents?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics

Answer

Polyenes

Answer

Echinocandins

Answer

Triazoles

Question 8

What is the primary mechanism of action for polyene antifungal agents?

Accepted Answer

Binding to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane, leading to pore formation

Answer

Inhibition of squalene epoxidase

Answer

Inhibition of DNA synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of cell wall synthesis

Question 9

Explain the distinct mechanisms of action between azole and echinocandin antifungal agents.

Accepted Answer

Azoles inhibit ergosterol synthesis in the cell membrane, while echinocandins inhibit glucan synthesis in the cell wall.

Answer

Echinocandins are fungistatic, while azoles are fungicidal.

Answer

Azoles are primarily used for topical fungal infections, while echinocandins are used for systemic fungal infections.

Answer

Echinocandins inhibit DNA synthesis, while azoles inhibit protein synthesis.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a class of antifungal agents commonly used in clinical practice?

Accepted Answer

Sulfonamides

Answer

Azoles

Answer

Polyenes

Answer

Echinocandins

Question 11

Which antifungal agent exerts its fungicidal activity by binding to ergosterol and disrupting the fungal cell membrane?

Accepted Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Itraconazole

Answer

Caspofungin

Question 12

Which antifungal agent is known for its potential nephrotoxicity, requiring careful monitoring of kidney function during therapy?

Accepted Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Flucytosine

Answer

Griseofulvin

Answer

Terbinafine

Question 13

Which antifungal agent is commonly used topically to treat dermatophytosis, a fungal infection of the skin?

Accepted Answer

Miconazole

Answer

Itraconazole

Answer

Caspofungin

Answer

Flucytosine

Question 14

Which antifungal agent is often used as salvage therapy for severe invasive fungal infections in critically ill patients?

Accepted Answer

Liposomal amphotericin B

Answer

Voriconazole

Answer

Posaconazole

Answer

Itraconazole

Question 15

How does biofilm formation contribute to antifungal resistance, and what strategies can be employed to overcome biofilm-related infections?

Accepted Answer

Biofilm formation impedes drug penetration, reducing antifungal effectiveness.

Accepted Answer

Combating biofilm-associated infections requires targeting biofilm formation and improving drug delivery.

Answer

Biofilm formation only affects the resistance of polyene antifungals.

Answer

Biofilm-associated infections are not a major concern in antifungal treatment.

Question 16

Which of the following is the primary mechanism of action for azole antifungal agents?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of ergosterol synthesis

Answer

Reduction of ATP production

Answer

Inhibition of DNA synthesis

Answer

Disruption of the cell membrane

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a class of antifungal agents?

Accepted Answer

Streptogramins

Answer

Polyenes

Answer

Echinocandins

Answer

Nucleosides

Question 18

Which of the following antifungal agents belongs to the polyene antifungal class?

Accepted Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Voriconazole

Answer

Caspofungin

Question 19

Which of the following antifungal agents is classified as an echinocandin?

Accepted Answer

Caspofungin

Answer

Flucytosine

Answer

Itraconazole

Question 20

What is the primary mechanism of action for echinocandin antifungal agents?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of glucan synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of protein synthesis

Answer

Disruption of the cell membrane

Answer

Inhibition of DNA synthesis

Question 21

Which of the following antifungal agents belongs to the nucleoside class?

Accepted Answer

Flucytosine

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Caspofungin

Answer

Amphotericin B

Question 22

Which of the following is not considered a class of antifungal agents?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics

Answer

Polyenes

Answer

Azoles

Answer

Echinocandins

Question 23

The primary mechanism of action of azole antifungals involves:

Accepted Answer

Inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol

Answer

Inhibiting protein translation

Answer

Damaging the cell wall

Answer

Interfering with DNA replication

Question 24

Among the following antifungal agents, which is known for its broad-spectrum activity?

Accepted Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Ketoconazole

Answer

Voriconazole

Answer

Amphotericin B

Question 25

Polyene antifungals can cause significant nephrotoxicity. Which of the following is a common manifestation of this side effect?

Accepted Answer

Elevated serum creatinine levels

Answer

Hearing loss

Answer

Jaundice

Answer

Neurological symptoms

Question 26

Resistance to azole antifungals can arise through various mechanisms. Which of the following is a well-established mechanism contributing to azole resistance?

Accepted Answer

Overexpression of efflux pumps

Answer

Formation of biofilms

Answer

Increased production of virulence factors

Answer

Alteration of the target enzyme

Question 27

Amphotericin B is a potent antifungal agent, but its use can be limited by certain factors. Which of the following is a contraindication for the use of amphotericin B?

Accepted Answer

Severe renal impairment

Answer

Pregnancy in the first trimester

Answer

Concurrent use of corticosteroids

Answer

Mild hepatic impairment

Question 28

Echinocandins are a class of antifungal agents that target a specific component of the fungal cell wall. Which of the following is an example of an echinocandin antifungal?

Accepted Answer

Caspofungin

Answer

Voriconazole

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Itraconazole

Question 29

Topical antifungal agents are commonly used to treat fungal infections affecting the skin or nails. Which of the following is an example of a topical antifungal agent?

Accepted Answer

Terbinafine

Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Caspofungin

Question 30

Individuals with certain underlying conditions are more susceptible to developing fungal infections. Which of the following is a well-established risk factor for the development of fungal infections?

Accepted Answer

Immunocompromised state

Answer

Advanced age

Answer

Obesity

Answer

Frequent antibiotic use