28 Systemic Mucoses Flashcards
What are Primary Fungal Systemic Pathogens?
What are Opportunistic Fungal Systemic Pathogens?
P: Capable of infecting a host who has a capable immune system
O: Infect hosts who have compromised immune systems
Do Primary Fungal Systemic Pathogens have dimorphism?
Is it Classical Thermal Dimorphism?
Classical Thermal Dimorphism: Hyphae in environment. Yeast in body.
Are Primary Fungal Systemic Pathogens contagious person to person?
How does a person become infected?
No.
Spoil saprophytes grow hyphae and release conidial spores. Spores are inhaled.
Note: Systemic Fungal Pathogens are endemic
.
What is the normal host immune response to systemic fungal pathogens?
Both innate and cell mediated immunity
Macrophages can wall off the fungus and produce granulomas
If a person becomes immunocompromised, the fungus can escape the granuloma
Therefore there are latent infections.
What is Dx for LATENT systemic fungal pathogens
DTH skin test
Are Systemic Fungal Pathogens cultured?
Laboratory cultures of the mold forms are dangerous because they can release spores into the air
What pathogens cause Valley Fever aka Coccidioidomycosis?
Coccidioides immitis
Coccidioides posadasii
What are the environmental stages and host-infected stages of Coccidioidomycosis aka Valley Fever?
Environmental mycelial phase contains barrel-shaped ARTHROCONIDIA which are easily fragmented and airborne.
Host-infected stage consistes of thick walled SPHERULES containing numerous ENDOSPORES
What is a SPHERULE?
Once inhaled the fungus grows into a large sphere.
The sphere invaginates with many septa.
The sphere can form endospores which can be released into the host.
This structure is called a ______.
Where is Coccidioidomycosis endemic?
How many U.S. citizens are infected annually?
North, Central, and South America
Texas
100,000!
Coccidioidomycosis grows in “Lower Sonoran Life Zone.” What is that?
Arid climates Hot summers Low altitude Alkaline soil Sparse flora
What demographics are most at risk for infection by Coccidioidomycosis?
Dark-skined races, particularly Filipinos
Third trimester pregnant women
What is the pathogenesis of Coccidioidomycosis?
Inhaled athroconidia lodge in alveoli»_space; form spherules in tissues»_space; ruptures endospores»_space; each endospore can form into a spherule
What is the host response to Coccidioidomycosis…
Initial?
2-4 weeks later?
Initially: MACROPHAGES and NEUTROPHILS
2-4 weeks later: Cell-mediated immunity (can be detected by DTH)
Can Coccidioimycosis aka Valley Fever be killed by Neutrophils?
No
If infected, what does a positive DTH indicate in terms of prognosis?
What does a negative DTH indicate?
Positive DTH indicates a protective host response
Negative DTH indicates no protection and the endospores may gain entry into the blood stream and lodge systemically
Cocidioimycosis…
How many are symptomatic vs assymptomatic?
60% ASYMPTOMATIC
40% SYMPTOMATIC
Whart are the symptoms of Coccidioimycosis (4 sets listed)?
10% get Eyrthema Nodosum (do not contain organism and are not indicative of disseminated desease)
Lower respiratory infection and/or
Systemic illness with: Cough, Suptum, Chest Pain, Malaise, Fever, Chills, Night Sweats, Anorexia, Weakness, and Arthralgia
Chronic: Cavity formation
What is Erythema Nodosum?
an inflammation of the fat cells under the skin (panniculitis) characterized by tender red nodules or lumps that are usually seen on both shins. EN is an immunologic response to a variety of different causes.