Endemic Fungi Flashcards
What fungus comes from the southwest?
Coccidiomycosis
What form is Coccidiomycosis?
Thermally dimorphic fungus. Arthroconidia are inhaled. Spherules (pomegranate section) inside of body.
What starts the infection?
Arthroconidia are inhaled.
What is the treatment of mild infection with Coccidiomycosis?
No treatment.
What is the treatment of severe infection with Coccidiomycosis?
amphotericin B + prolonged Azole course.
What is the treatment in the case of CNS involvement in a Coccidiomycosis infection?
lifelong Fluconazole treatment to prevent relapse.
Which fungus grows near Beaver dams?
Blastomycosis
What histological feature distinguighes Blastomycosis?
A broad-based bud (pair of breasts)
What are the extrapulmonary sites of infection with blastomycosis?
Skin (ulcerative lesions). Bone (osteomyelitis). GU tract (prostatitis and epididymitis)
What is the treatment for moderate blastomycosis?
Itraconazole.
Where in the US is Blastomycosis found?
In a North-South band of the Eastern US (from Wisconsin down through Tennessee).
Where is Histoplasmosis found?
In bat caves, in chicken coops, in the south-east US.
Where does Histo love to hide? Along what route does it like to hitch?
In macrophages, in which it circulates along the reticuloendothelial system.
Histoplasmosis diagnosis?
Histo antigen in urine/blood.
Fungal stains.
Culture.
What is the difference in Histoplasmosis treatment between a moderate and severe presentation?
Start with amphotericin B before Itraconazole vs. just Itraconazole.
