Which one of the following is an antiprotozoan drug?
A Rifampin
B Miconazole
D Mefloquine
D Ivermectin
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D Mefloquine.
Explanation:
Mefloquine is an antiprotozoal drug primarily used to treat and prevent malaria, a disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Plasmodium species. Mefloquine works by interfering with the growth of the malaria parasites in the red blood cells of the human body. It inhibits the parasites’ ability to detoxify their metabolic byproducts, ultimately leading to their death. It is particularly effective against Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous malaria parasite.
Other drugs listed in the options are not antiprotozoal drugs:
- A Rifampin: This is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, especially tuberculosis and some other bacterial diseases. It works by inhibiting bacterial RNA synthesis and is not effective against protozoan infections.
- B Miconazole: This is an antifungal medication used to treat fungal infections. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, a key component of fungal cell membranes, and has no activity against protozoa.
- D Ivermectin: Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug used mainly to treat infections caused by nematodes (roundworms) and ectoparasites like lice and scabies. It does not have significant activity against protozoan infections.
Thus, Mefloquine is the only drug in the list that specifically targets protozoans, making it the correct answer for this question.