Fungal Infections

Question 1

Classifying fungal infections

Answer 1

Yeast - during infection
Mould - in nature
Superficial (skin, hair, nails)
Deep-seated (systemic)

Question 2

Tinea

Answer 2

Superficial - use woods lamps

Dermatophyte e.g. Tricophyton rubrum: RIngworm, Athlete’s foot

Question 3

Pityriasis

Answer 3

Superficial - use woods lamps

Malassezia globosa/furfur: Seborrhoeic dermatitis, T versicolor (pigmentation in dark skinned)

Question 4

Candida

Answer 4

Deep seated - use clinical details, lab results, and imaging for diagnosis
Assoc with immunocompromise
Dx: Culture, Mannan, Antibodies

Question 5

Aspergillus

Answer 5

Deep seated - use clinical details, lab results, and imaging for diagnosis
Spectrum from allergy to invasion
Presents as pneumonia esp in immunocompromised
High mortality
Dx: ELISA, PCR, Beta-Glucan test

Question 6

Cryptococcus

Answer 6

Deep seated - use clinical details, lab results, and imaging for diagnosis
Immunocompromised
Presents as meningitis with insidious onset in HIV
Dx: Cryptococcal antigen in serum/CSF
Tx - amphotericin B

Question 7

Targets cell membrane integrity

Yeast

Answer 7

Polyene

eg Amphotericin

Question 8

Targets cell membrane synthesis

Yeast

Answer 8

Azole

eg Fluconazole

Question 9

Targets cell membrane
In Mould (vs dematophytes)

Answer 9

Terbinafine

Question 10

Targets DNA synthesis

Answer 10

Flucytosine

Question 11

Targets the cell wall

Yeast

Answer 11

Echinocandin
eg caspofungin
Less toxic SE