export_cns fungi Flashcards
Which fungi can cause CNS infections?
Systemic fungi - Histoplasma, Blastomyces, Paracoccidioides, Coccidioides, Cryptococcus
What is the leading cause of fungal meningitis?
Cryptococcal
Coccidioides immitis important feature
Dimorphic; molds in environment, yeast in tissues
Cryptococcus neoformans important feature
Encapsulated yeast in both environment and man
Coccidioides immitis life cycle
Mold spores inhaled, then converts into a spherule, which produces hundreds of single nucleated spores
Coccidial meningitis
Develops slowly
Headache, fever, stiff neck, other neurological signs
Treatment for C. immitis
Amphotericin B
Cryptococcus is commonly found where?
In soil contaminated with bird droppings
Cryptococcal meningitis symptoms
Develops slowly
Bouts of headaches, irritability, dizziness, other CNS
May present over weeks or months
Cryptococcus diagnosis
India Ink stain
Treatment for Cryptococcal meningitis
Long term treatment of Amphotericin B and fluconazole
Relapse in AIDS patients is common, may require suppressive therapy
Rhinocerebral zygomycosis most commonly affects?
Primarily diabetic patients
Symptoms of rhinocerebral zygomycosis
Nasal congestion, blood-tinged rhinorhhea, tender sinuses, headache, fever
Can progress to altered mental status, coma, and death
Diagnose zygomycoses
Hyphal elements (broad, aseptate, branching at right angles) in clinical material Culture
Treatment for zygomycoses
Amphotericin B
Main parasitic infections
Entamoeba histolytica
Trypanosoma brucei
Plasmodium falciparum
Protozoa
Helminth
What does entamoeba histolytica cause in the CNS?
Brain abscesses