FUNGAL PATHOGENS

Question 1

Candida spp

Answer 1

large genus of yeasts

colonizes mucosal surfaces and GI tracts

Question 2

SUPERFICIAL CANDIDA: oral mucosa

Answer 2

• young asthmatic patients who use steroid inhailers

- found in antibiotic use and neck radiotherapy / AIDS

Question 3

SUPERFICIA CANDIDA: Vulvovaginitis

Answer 3

• Thrush: affects 80% women in child-bearing years
• puritus (itch) and burning sensation
  10% women suffer from recurrent episodes

Diagnosis: grow cultures and identify.
Treatment: oral azoles apart from in pregnant women

Question 4

SYSTEMIC CANDIDOSIS

Answer 4

affects any organ in body and defined by site of infection. acquired by colonised skin and seen in compromised host. identified by blood culture

Question 5

SYSTEMIC CANDIDOSIS- oesophagitis

Answer 5

mainly in HIV/ oropharangeal disease

- pain/difficulty swallowing

Question 6

SYSTEMIC CANDIDOSIS- endocarditis

Answer 6

rare consequence of candidaemia.

- IV drug users, valve surgery. vegetation’s seen on heart valves. fever, weight loss, fatigue, heart murmur.

Question 7

SYSTEMIC CANDIDOSIS- renal

Answer 7

candida lodges in kidney tissue during filtration.

- found in immunocompromised premature neonates

Question 8

SYSTEMIC CANDIDOSIS- peritonitis

Answer 8

complication of peritoneal dialysis or bowel perforation in surgery
- fever, abdominal pain, vomitng.
diagnosed with culture form peritoneal fluid. drained and given antifungals.

Question 9

SYSTEMIC CANDIDOSIS- Urinary tract

Answer 9

ascending from genital tract infection/ colonisation from catheterisation
more common in women

Question 10

SYSTEMIC CANDIDOSIS- hepatosplenic

Answer 10

Disseminated form of candidosis. Candidaemia (when its in blood) may be detected. Liver disturbance. Fungus may be dead so cant be killed.

Question 11

DERMATOPHYTES

Answer 11

Causes of skin disease in skin, hair and nails

origin geophilic, zoophilic and anthropophilic

Question 12

Tinea pedis: athletes foot

Answer 12

more common in young sportmen.
itching, flaking an dinrerdigital.
cause = trichophyton rubrum

Question 13

Tinea unguium (nail)

Answer 13

thickening, discolouring and dystrophy of nail.

cause = trichophyton rubrum and t.interdigitale

Question 14

Tinea cruris (groin)

Answer 14

more in men than women
itching, scaling, plaques with distinct edges
cause = trichophyton rubrum

Question 15

Tinea capitis (scalp)

Answer 15

range from inflammation –> black dots / grey patches
Endothrix = spores inside hair shaft = black dots
Exothrix = spores outside hair shaft

Question 16

Tinea Corporis (body)

Answer 16

circular plaques. range of causes from human or animal

Question 17

ASPERGILLUS

Answer 17

• genus of moulds filamentous fungi producing air borne spores
• inhalation

Question 18

Aspergillosis

Answer 18

• Reaction to inhailing aspergillus into lung cavity
• allergic reaction; worse in asthma and CF –>
  allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and allergic sinus disease –> igE mediated response

Question 19

Aspergilloma

Answer 19

• patients with cavities from previous TB / surgery
• Solid fungal balls form
• often indolent, BUT MAY break up causing haemoptysis = fatal

Question 20

Chronic Pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA)

Answer 20

in COPD. chronic resp. symptoms eg cough, wheezing, breathlessness. Consolidation.
Positive culture for aspergillius in sputum

Question 21

Invasive aspergilosis

Answer 21

Halo and air cresent signs on CT. Poor prognosis. can disseminate to extrapulmonary sites.
treatment: antifungals, steroids.