Micro 71: Antiparasitic Agents

Clinical Deep Dives · Mar 2, 2026 · 46m

This episode examines pharmacologic strategies used to treat protozoal and helminth infections. Drawing from Murray’s Chapter 71, it explores how antiparasitic therapy must account for organism complexity, life cycle stage, and host toxicity.

Unlike bacteria, parasites are eukaryotic and often multicellular. This limits therapeutic selectivity and requires targeting unique metabolic pathways or structural vulnerabilities.

Major drug classes include:

* Antimalarials (e.g., chloroquine, artemisinin-based therapies)

* Antiprotozoals (e.g., metronidazole, nitazoxanide)

* Antihelminthics (e.g…