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An antimetabolite that is effective against the Mycobacterium that causes tuberculosis is: (a) Sulfanilamide (b) Isoniazid (c) Bacitracin (d) Naladixic acid (e) Polymyxin \(\mathrm{A}\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Isoniazid is the antimetabolite effective against the Mycobacterium that causes tuberculosis.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Term 'Antimetabolite'

First, recognize what an antimetabolite is. An antimetabolite is a substance that interferes with the normal metabolic processes within cells by mimicking a natural metabolite. This interference can inhibit processes like the synthesis of nucleic acids necessary for bacteria to multiply.
02

Identify the Disease Target

The question highlights a treatment against Mycobacterium that causes tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
03

Look at the Options

Review the list of options: - (a) Sulfanilamide - (b) Isoniazid - (c) Bacitracin - (d) Naladixic acid - (e) Polymyxin A
04

Know the Uses of Each Option

Briefly identify the antimicrobial action of each choice: - Sulfanilamide: Primarily effective against bacteria causing urinary tract infections, not specifically for tuberculosis. - Isoniazid: A well-known antitubercular medication, specifically effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. - Bacitracin: Used for skin infections caused by staphylococci. - Naladixic acid: Effective against Gram-negative bacteria, mainly for urinary tract infections. - Polymyxin A: Used mainly against certain Gram-negative bacteria, not specifically for tuberculosis.
05

Determine the Correct Option

Based on the list, Isoniazid is specifically used as an antitubercular agent. It is designed to target and inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis, making it an ideal choice in the context provided by the question.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacterium responsible for the infectious disease known as tuberculosis (TB). This bacterium is unique because it mainly affects the lungs, but it can also spread to other parts of the body. TB is a major global health issue, infecting millions annually. The bacterium spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks. Key characteristics include:
  • Resilient cell wall: Provides high resistance to disinfectants and antibiotics.
  • Slow growth: Can be slow to show symptoms, making early detection and treatment challenging.
  • Dormancy: The bacterium can remain dormant, leading to latent TB that can become active under certain conditions.
Understanding how Mycobacterium tuberculosis behaves is crucial in managing and preventing TB. Effective drug treatments are essential in mitigating its impact on public health.
Isoniazid
Isoniazid is one of the most common and effective drugs used to treat and prevent tuberculosis. It’s specifically designed to target Mycobacterium tuberculosis and works as a potent antitubercular medication. Some important aspects about Isoniazid include:
  • Mechanism: Inhibits the synthesis of mycolic acids, essential components of the bacterial cell wall.
  • Usage: Often used in combination with other drugs to prevent resistance and ensure comprehensive treatment.
  • Side Effects: Can include liver toxicity, so liver function is often monitored during treatment.
Isoniazid plays a vital role in TB control strategies, providing a specific defence against this tough-to-tackle pathogen.
Nucleic acid synthesis inhibition
Nucleic acid synthesis is a critical process for the survival and proliferation of bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antimetabolites like Isoniazid disrupt this essential process, thereby preventing the bacteria from multiplying. Here's how they work:
  • Antimetabolites mimic natural metabolites: They actively interrupt the pathways that lead to the formation of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA.
  • Bacterial replication inhibition: By disturbing nucleic acid production, bacteria find it difficult to replicate their genetic material, effectively halting their growth.
  • Target specificity: This approach allows for targeting specific bacteria without harming human cells, as these inhibitors are chosen to affect processes unique to bacterial cells.
Through inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis, drugs like Isoniazid prevent the spread of tuberculosis by effectively curtailing the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Chloroquine and primaquine are the agents most widely used to treat: (a) Malaria (b) Tuberculosis (c) Lyme disease (d) Legionnaires' disease (e Thrush

Match the following antiviral drugs and the viral infections they are used to treat: Acyclovir Ganciclovir AZT Idoxuridine Ribavirin (a) Hantavirus plus a wide variety of unrelated viruses (b) Cytomegalovirus eye infections (c) HIV (d) Herpesvirus infections of the genitals (e) Herpesvirus infections of the eyes

Doctors prescribe synergistic drug combinations to treat bacterial infections. The purpose of such treatment is to: (a) Change the bacteria with cell walls to \(\mathrm{L}\) forms lacking cell walls (b) Reduce the treatment time of the disease (c) Prevent microorganisms from acquiring drug resistance (d) Reduce the toxic side effects of the antibiotics (e) Use lower doses of antibiotics

All of the following can be side effects of antimicrobial agents EXCEPT: (a) "Superinfections" can occur with new pathogens when defensive capacity of normal flora is destroyed. (b) Host toxicity. (c) Disruption of normal microflora in host. (d) Host allergic reaction. (e) Host "superimmunity."

Match the following drug resistance terms to their descriptions: Chromosomal resistance Nongenetic resistance Synergism Extrachromosomal resistance Cross-resistance Resistance (a) Resistance against two or more similar antimicrobial agents (b) Resistance due to resistance (R) plasmids (c) Resistance due to microbial DNA (d) Microbe formerly susceptible to antibiotic action that is no longer affected by it (e) An additive effect of two antibiotics (f) Microbes that are either sequestered from antibiotic or lose their cell walls rendering them nonsusceptible to antibiotic action

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