Fungal and parasites of the CNS Flashcards
What are the systemic fungal infections that can cause CNS infections? (5)
Histoplasma Blastomyces Paracoccidioides Coccidioides Cryptococcus
What is the most common fungal cause of meningitis? Second most common?
- Cryptococcal
2. Coccidiodies
Are the fungi that cause systemic diseases opportunistic?
no
How are fungi infections started?
Through inhalation
What is the form that coccidioides immitis infects?
Yeast
What is the only encapsulated yeast?
Cryptococcus neoformans
Where is coccidioides immitis found in the world? Why?
Desert southwest d/t drought-rain-drought pattern
What is the morphology of coccidioides immitis?
Spherules
What are the symptoms of coccidioidomycosis?
Usually asymptomatic
Mild to moderate pulmonary disease
How does coccidial meningitis present, relative to bacterial meningitis?
Same symptoms, but much slower onset
How do you diagnose coccidioidomycosis meningitis?
Antigen detection
Serology
What is the treatment for coccidioidomycosis meningitis?
Amp B
Can you cultivate coccidioidomycosis
rarely
Which fungus is NOT dimorphic? Why?
Cryptococcus neoformans b/c it is encapsulated
India ink stain?
Cryptococcus neoformans
Where is Cryptococcus neoformans found?
Bird droppings, soil
What are the symptoms of infx with Cryptococcus neoformans usually? What about for meningeal infections?
Mild pulmonary disease (or none)
Slow meningitis symptoms
What population are we concerned about with Cryptococcus neoformans infections (cryptococcosis)?
AIDS/ immunosuppressed
How do you diagnose Cryptococcus neoformans? How sensitive is this?
India ink stain
Serology
Only 50%
What is the treatment for Cryptococcus neoformans infections of the CNS?
Long term Amp B and 5-fluorocytosine
What causes rhinocerebral mucormycosis? Who is usually infected with this?
Zygomycetes
DM pts usually get these
What are the symptoms of rhinocerebral mucormycosis?
Rhinitis
CNS symptoms
What are the three molds that cause zygomycosis?
Rhizopus
Absidia
Mucor
Are zygomycetes septate? Broad or narrow?
Broad, aseptate
How do you diagnose zygomycosis?
Culture confirmation
What is the treatment for zygomycosis?
Amp B
What is the parasite that causes GI symptoms, and can also cause CNS infections?
Entamoeba histolytica
What do entamoeba histolytica cause in the brain?
Abscesses
What does trypanosoma brucei cause?
Sleeping sickness
What does plasmodium falciparum cause?
Cerebral malaria
What causes cerebral malaria?
Plasmodium falciparum
What causes sleeping sickness?
Trypanosoma brucei
What causes neurocysticercosis?
Pork tapeworm
Tenia solium