Classification of Fungi Flashcards
What is the treatment of Candida infections?
Flucanazole (azalea) and terbinafine (allylamine). Echinocandins for serious candida
What is the treatment for cryptococcosis?
Amhpoterecin B, flucanazole and flucytosine
ALL TOXIC
What are the infections caused by cryptococcosis?
Neoformans causes lung infection.
Gatti causes meningitis.
What can fungi be split into?
Yeasts or filamentous fungi (moulds)
What can fungi infect? (4)
Mammals, plants, insects, amphibians
How do fungi gain energy?
They’re chemo-organotrophic. take energy from oxidising reduced organic compounds
How do fungi gain nutrients?
They have a polysaccharide cell wall which absorbs nutrients
What is an essential part of fungi which is commonly attacked by anti-fungals?
Ergosterol - similar to cholesterol. Gives fungi permeability and fluidity
How do fungi attack a human generally?
They produce microscopic spores which we can inhale, usually pathogens or antigens. Also transmitted when comes into contact with the skin
What is mycoses? What are 3 types?
Any infection caused by fungi
superficial, submucosal or systemic disease
What are 4 common mycoses?
Candida, Aspergillosis, Cryptococcosis (systemic)
Superficial mycosis (not involved with internal organs)
What is characteristic of Candida albicans?
Yeast that lives in mouth, skin, gut, vagina, penis. Causes infection if internal environment changed, e.g. surgery or trauma allowing candida in gut to escape
What is characteristic of Candida auris and treatment?
Usually MDR, causes UTI’s. Can use echinocandins (if not resistant)
What is the treatment for aspergillosis?
Voriconazole
What is aspergillosis?
Infection that can be caused by inhaling conidia in the environment.
Aspergillosis examples
Asthma, aspergilloma (fungal ball in lung), disseminated aspergillosis (ball leaves lung and travels)
What are the three types of dermatophytic fungi?
Ringworm (tinea), Athletes foot, Malassezia
How does dermatophytic fungi grow?
Degrades keratin and uses it as nutrient source
What is significant about malassezia?
Its a yeast found on all healthy skin, particularly in sebum-rich areas, causing pimples when infected
What is the structure of a cryptococcosis?
It is yeast with a capsule and is inhaled in our environment
Candida albicans vs tropicalis
