Answer to Question #55764 in Microbiology for tony

Question

Would you expect to use amphotericin B against a bacterial infection? A fungal infection? Offer a reason why amphotericin B has severe side effects in humans.

Answer 1

Amphotericin B is an antifungal drug. It is specific only to fungal infections and cannot be used against a bacterial infection. Amphotericin B forms pores in fungal cell membranes after binding ergosterol and causes their death. At the same time, this drug forms pores in host cells membranes causing their destruction. This is a reason why amphotericin B is toxic for humans and causes severe side effects.