Aspergillus

Question 1

second to candidiasis in freq of opportunistic fungal infections in pxs w leukemia and other hematologic neoplasia.

Key risk factor for invasive aspergillus

Answer 1

Neutropenia

Question 2

RF

Answer 2

prolonged steroid tx
immunosuppresive tx
GVHD
CMV

Question 3

% skin lesions

Answer 3

pulmo inv usually present

skin lesions 10% of pxs

Question 4

most common cause of disseminated aspergillus w cutaneous inv.

Answer 4

Aspergillus fumigatus.

growson media w o cycloheximide in 24 hours or longer.
organisms appear as - slender hyphae and delicate walls and bubbly cytoplasm.

45 degree branching.

deep incisional biopsies are required to distinguish invasive disease from
colonization.

Question 5

Primary cutaneous aspergillosis

Answer 5

Most cases occur at IV canulas in immunosupp pxs. hemorrhagic bullae and necrotic ulcers may be present.

A.flavus- most freq associated.

Question 6

otomycosis

ear canal may be infected by

Answer 6

aspergillus fumigatus
a flavus
a niger

p.aeruginosa

invasive dx must be treated w systemic agents.

topical clotrimazole ear drops are effective in immunocompetent pxs

Question 7

tx of choice for invasive aspergillosis

Answer 7

Voriconazole- Tx

SE; visual disturbance
photosensitivity
skin cancer
skin eruption