CA - Mycology (TB) Wk 4

Question 1

What is candida and candidiasis?

Answer 1

Candida - A type of Yeast/Thrush
Candidiasis - Normal flora overgrowth

Question 2

What are the predisposing factors of candidiasis?

Answer 2

1. Antibiotics -> eradicates healthy flora -> candida takes over
2. Immunocompromised
3. Infancy, old age, pregnant

Question 3

What increases a patient’s risk of systemic candidiasis?

Answer 3

1. GIT perforation/ surgery
2. IV
3. Preterm neonates

Question 4

Whats the treatment & management of systemic candidiasis?

Answer 4

1. Stop antibiotics -> restore normal gut flora -> fight with candidiasis
2. Remove central lines
3. Treat early
   - Anticipate candida in ICU: fevers, negative cultures for bacteria, no response to abx
4. Must do echocardiogram of the heart & eye specialist checkup

Question 5

What are dermatophytes? Give 2 examples.

Answer 5

• filamentous fungi (NOT YEASTS!!)
• ring worm
• athlete’s foot

Question 6

What are the names of 3 diseases caused by dermatophytes?

Answer 6

Tinea pedis – foot
Tinea capitis – head
Tinea unguium - nail/nail bed

Question 7

Who are at risk of invasive aspergillosis?
How do they attack the body?

Answer 7

1. Immunocompromised pts
   - ESP Patients with neutropenia: low neutrophils (WBCs) in blood
   - low chance of curing these pts

• invade BVs -> blood clots

Question 8

How do we diagnose fungi?

Answer 8

• MC&S
• S: not done for all fungi