Amphotericin B is best described as which class of antifungal?

Amphotericin B is best described as which class of antifungal?

• A. Azole
• B. Polyene
• C. Echinocandin
• D. Allylamine

Answer: (B)

Amphotericin B is a polyene antifungal. Polyenes work by binding to ergosterol in fungal cell membranes due to their large, conjugated polyene structure. This binding creates pores in the membrane, causing leakage of ions and other cell contents, which disrupts the membrane’s integrity and leads to fungal cell death. This mechanism is different from azoles, which inhibit ergosterol synthesis; echinocandins, which inhibit beta-1,3-glucan synthesis in the cell wall; and allylamines, which inhibit squalene epoxidase in the sterol synthesis pathway. So, amphotericin B fits best with the polyene class.

Amphotericin B is a polyene antifungal. Polyenes work by binding to ergosterol in fungal cell membranes due to their large, conjugated polyene structure. This binding creates pores in the membrane, causing leakage of ions and other cell contents, which disrupts the membrane’s integrity and leads to fungal cell death. This mechanism is different from azoles, which inhibit ergosterol synthesis; echinocandins, which inhibit beta-1,3-glucan synthesis in the cell wall; and allylamines, which inhibit squalene epoxidase in the sterol synthesis pathway. So, amphotericin B fits best with the polyene class.