Amantadine and oseltamivir are used to treat which type of pathogen?

Amantadine and oseltamivir are used to treat which type of pathogen?

• A. Bacteria
• B. Virus
• C. Fungi
• D. Parasites

Answer: (B)

Antiviral action is what these drugs share. Amantadine and oseltamivir target stages of the viral life cycle, specifically influenza viruses. Amantadine blocks the M2 ion channel in influenza A, which prevents the virus from uncoating and releasing its genetic material inside the cell. Oseltamivir inhibits neuraminidase, an enzyme needed for the release of new viral particles from infected cells, curbing the spread of infection. Because bacteria, fungi, and parasites have different biology and are treated with antibiotics, antifungals, and antiparasitics, these medications don’t work against those types of pathogens. So the pathogen type these drugs treat is virus.

Antiviral action is what these drugs share. Amantadine and oseltamivir target stages of the viral life cycle, specifically influenza viruses. Amantadine blocks the M2 ion channel in influenza A, which prevents the virus from uncoating and releasing its genetic material inside the cell. Oseltamivir inhibits neuraminidase, an enzyme needed for the release of new viral particles from infected cells, curbing the spread of infection. Because bacteria, fungi, and parasites have different biology and are treated with antibiotics, antifungals, and antiparasitics, these medications don’t work against those types of pathogens. So the pathogen type these drugs treat is virus.