Fungal Infections and Antifungals Flashcards
What are fungi
Eukaryotic organisms with chitinous cell walls and ergosterol containing plasma membranes
Difference between mould and yeast
Yeast is a unicellular type of fungi whereas mould is multicellular filaments of the fungi.
How Candida infections present
Can be deep seated in the immunocompromised
Candidaemia CNS Endocarditis UTI Bone
Diagnosing Candida Infection
Culture, Mannan, Antibodies, Serology for beta-D-glucan
RF for candida
– Malignancies, esp haematological
– Burns patients
– Complicated post-op courses (eg Tx or GIT Sx)
– Long lines
Types of cryptococcus and who they infect
Encapsulated yeast
– Serotypes A&D = C neoformans
(immunodeficient)
– Serotypes B&C = C gattii (immunocompetent)
What animal is cryptococcus associated with
Pigeons
How cryptococcus infections present
Presents as meningitis with insidious onset in HIV
Diagnosing Cryptococcus
Cryptococcal Antigen in serum/CSF + india ink staining
Treatment of Cryptococcus
Rx: 3/52 amphotericin B +/- flucytosine
Treatment of Candida
fluconazole for C. albicans, amphotericin-B for invasive disease
How Aspergillous infections presents
A spectrum from allergy to invasion
-Presents as pneumonia, esp. in immunocompromised. High mortality.
Diagnosis of Aspergillosis
Cultures of mould, ELISA, PCR, β-Glucan test, grows on Czapek dox agar
Treatment of Asper
voriconazole
How PCP presents
Pneumonia in immunodeficient, haemoptysis
