Candidiasis Flashcards
1
Q
What are the virulence factor of C. Albicans?
A
- Metabolic flexibility
- evasion from host cell immune system
- escape from phagocytosis
- yeast to hyphae conversion
- adherence to host surface
- biofilm formation
- countering host nutritional immunity
- phenotypic switching
- candidalysin
- hydrolytic enzymes
- Ability to growth at 37 degrees
2
Q
Benefits of phenotypic switching
A
- Respond to different env. conditions
- opaque cells more resistant to neutrophil engulfment
3
Q
What’s Biofilm?
A
Polysaccharide slime containing microcolony with channels to bring in nutrients and carry off waste
initiation-> maturation–> dispersion–> adherence
4
Q
Targets f antifungal agents
A
Azoles inhibit the synthesis of ergosterol in the endoplasmic reticulum of the fungal cell.
- Polyenes such as amphotericin B bind to ergosterol in the fungal membrane causing disruption of membrane structure and function.
- Flucytosine is converted within the fungal cell to 5-fluorouracil which inhibits DNA synthesis
