fungal infections

Question 1

What does it mean for fungal infections to be opportunistic

Answer 1

They thrive when the patients immune system is weak

Question 2

What are the main types of fungal skin infection

Answer 2

candidiasis - yeast like infection and is a uniform commensal of the mouth and the GI tract

tinea - superficial skin infection caused by dermatophytes

Question 3

What are the risk factors for candida

Answer 3

moist areas, skin folds, obesity, recent broad sprectrum antibiotics

Question 4

What is intertrigo

Answer 4

type of candida which occurs in skin folds

Question 5

What is napkin dermatitis

Answer 5

compromised skin barrier due to friction or prolonged contact with urine or faeces

Question 6

What are the symptoms of genital candidiasis

Answer 6

itch
soreness
dysuria
white curd discharge
bright red discharge

Question 7

How is genital candidiasis (vaginal thrush) diagnosed

Answer 7

clinically and vaginal swab

Question 8

What is teh treatment for genital candidiasis

Answer 8

Clotrimazole - topical anti-fungal cream
Oral flucloxacillin 2nd line

Question 9

What is non-specific balanitis

Answer 9

inflammation of glans penis which is caused by bacteria or candida

Question 10

What is the treatment of non specific balanitis

Answer 10

topical clotrimazole

Question 11

What are risk factors for oral candidiasis

Answer 11

old age or young age
broad spectrum antibiotics
inhaled or oral corticosteroids

Question 12

What are the symptoms of oral candidiasis - oral thrush

Answer 12

white or yellow plaques in the mouth
burning feeling
erythema
dysphagia

Question 13

What is the management of oral candidiasis

Answer 13

topical antifungal - nystatin or miconazole gel

Fluconazole if the thrush is further down

Question 14

What is the treatment for invasive candidiasis

Answer 14

IV/Oral antifungals

Question 15

How is tinea spread

Answer 15

Direct or indirect contact with infected animal or person

Question 16

What is the main risk factor for tinea

Answer 16

Sweaty humid environments

Question 17

How does tinia present

Answer 17

scaly itch skin
raised annular patches
asymmetrical distribution

Question 18

How is tinea diagnosed

Answer 18

clinically or skin scrapings or swab

Question 19

What is the treatment for tinea

Answer 19

topical antifungal cream:
Terbinafine
clotrimazole
miconazole

If extensive give oral terbinafine

Question 20

What can terbanifine cause in blood results

Answer 20

altered lFTs

Question 21

What is the treatment for nail fungal infection

Answer 21

oral terbinafine for 6-12 weeks for fingers and 3-6 months for toenails

Question 22

What is aspergillus

Answer 22

type of mould found in soil, dust and bedding

Question 23

How is aspergillus transmitted

Answer 23

inhalation of spores

Question 24

Who is at risk of aspergillus

Answer 24

People with chronic respiratory conditions or immunosuppressed

Question 25

What are the symptoms of aspergilluosis

Answer 25

cough SOB wheeze pyrexia malaise headache

Question 26

Who is allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis most common in

Answer 26

asthma and cystic fibrosis

Question 27

How does allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis present

Answer 27

cough for longer than 6 weeks

Question 28

How is allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis diagnosed

Answer 28

bloods sputum culture positive skin test positive serology xray of chest and CT

Question 29

What is the treatment for aspergillosis

Answer 29

Oral long term high dose oral prednisolone as well as antifungal - itraconazole

Question 30

How does chronic pulmonary aspergillosis present

Answer 30

cough for more than 3 months exacerbation not responding to antibiotics

Question 31

What is the treatment for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis

Answer 31

oral anti-fungals

Question 32

What is aspergilloma

Answer 32

fungal mass which grows in lung cavities

Question 33

how does a aspergilloma present

Answer 33

Haemoptysis - common cough and fever

Question 34

How is an aspergilloma diagnosed

Answer 34

CXR - CT scan

Question 35

What is the treatment for aspergillomas

Answer 35

surgical resection and long term antifungals

Question 36

Who is at risk of acute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis

Answer 36

neutropenic - low WBC post transplant defects in phagocytes

Question 37

How does acute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis present

Answer 37

cough SOB fever haemoptysis pleuritic chest pain congestion and sinusitis

Question 38

What is the management of acute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis

Answer 38

IV antifungals