Fungal Pathogens

Question 1

Dimorphic

Answer 1

Applied to fungi that have both yeast-like phase of unicellular growth and filamentous phase of multicellular growth. Usually dictated by temperature

Question 2

Histoplasma

Answer 2

• a soul fungus associated with bay and bird guano
• inhaled as spores and grows as yeast in the alveoli of the lungs and then through the lymphatic system to the other organs
• pulmonary or disseminated

Question 3

Azole drugs

Answer 3

• fluxonazole

- inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis, leads to membrane distinction therefore inhibits fungal growth

Question 4

Polyenes drugs

Answer 4

• binds to ergosterol and weakens the cell membrane

- at high doses will bind to cholesterol as well and therefore kills our cells

Question 5

Echinocandins drugs

Answer 5

• inhibits beta1,3 glutamate synthesis, meaning fungus can’t make cell wall
• fewer side effects than other drugs

Question 6

Coccidiodes

Answer 6

• filamentous growth in desert souls
• grows in humans as spherules
• person inhales the spores which then germinate 1-3 weeks later and can cause pneumonia or disseminate to the test of the body causing infection