Fungal Infections II

Question 1

cyrptococcus: where found, what does it casue

Answer 1

thick polysaccharide capsule yeast. found in soil and pigeon droppings. cause infection, esp. CNS infection, in the immunocompromised host. slowly progressive meningitis with severe headache and fever but few meningitic signs.

Question 2

cryptococcus diagnosis

Answer 2

only detectable on MRI, not CT. LP shows incr. pressure, minimal WBC, and elevated protein levels. CSF exam shows yeast with halo. antigent test available.

Question 3

Cryptococcus treatment

Answer 3

amphotericin B with 5FC. long term: fluconazole

Question 4

Asperigillis

Answer 4

molds. septate hyphae with acute angle branching.

Question 5

Aspergillis diseases

Answer 5

1. hypersensitivity in airways- allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. wheezing, infiltrates, bronchiectasis, airways with aspergillis. Tx: steroids and antifungals
2. overgrowth inside a preexisting pulmonary cavity.
3. invasive infection- usually among people with neutropenia, steroids, chronich granulmoatous disease, and other phagocyte probs. Very very rare in HIV. may disseminate to the brain, skin, liver, endocardium

Question 6

Aspergillis dx

Answer 6

stain, culture, blood antigen (but pip/tazo can give false positive). very poor prognosis

Question 7

mucormycoisis

Answer 7

lethal invasive infection caused by molds. borad, nonseptate hyphae with right angle branching. Like warm, sugary, acidic environments. Seen with deficits in phagocytes or in acidic environemtns- diabetic ketoacidosis. can erode through sinuses, bones, and nerves. This is a SURGICAL EMERGENCY.