Fungal respiratory infections

Question 1

Which fungal infection is known to cause a ‘snowstorm’ pattern of calcifications on chest imaging?

Answer 1

“Histoplasmosis can cause a ‘snowstorm’ pattern of calcifications on chest imaging

Question 2

Which fungal infection is commonly associated with AIDS patients, and what specific immune deficiency predisposes individuals to these infections?

Answer 2

“Cryptococcosis (Cryptococcus neoformans) and Pneumocystis pneumonia (Pneumocystis jirovecii). Both are associated with defective cell-mediated immunity

Question 3

Which antifungal medication is commonly used for the treatment of both histoplasmosis and invasive aspergillosis, and what is its mechanism of action?

Answer 3

“Itraconazole. It inhibits the synthesis of ergosterol

Question 4

Which diagnostic method is used to detect the presence of Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA in clinical samples?

Answer 4

“Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to detect Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA in clinical samples.”

Question 5

What is the primary function of oral corticosteroids in the management of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)?

Answer 5

“Oral corticosteroids in ABPA aim to reduce inflammation and suppress the allergic response to Aspergillus antigens

Question 6

Which environmental factor is often associated with outbreaks of histoplasmosis?

Answer 6

“Environmental disruption of Histoplasma capsulatum habitats

Question 7

Which specific mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus is known to be carcinogenic, and what type of cancer is it associated with?

Answer 7

“Aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).”

Question 8

Which fungal infection is characterized by the presence of broad, non-septate hyphae?

Answer 8

“Mucormycosis is characterized by the presence of broad

Question 9

Which antifungal medication is effective against Aspergillus infections but NOT against mucormycosis?

Answer 9

“Voriconazole is effective against Aspergillus infections but not against mucormycosis.”

Question 10

Which diagnostic test is considered the most reliable for detecting cryptococcal meningitis, and what substance is targeted by this test?

Answer 10

“Detection of capsular polysaccharide antigen in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Question 11

Which staining technique is used to visualize Pneumocystis jirovecii in clinical samples?

Answer 11

“Silver stain is commonly used to visualize Pneumocystis jirovecii in clinical samples

Question 12

Which staining technique is used to visualize the capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans, and what characteristic appearance does it create?

Answer 12

“The India ink stain is used to visualize the capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans

Question 13

Which two antifungal medications are ineffective against mucormycosis?

Answer 13

“Fluconazole and voriconazole are ineffective against mucormycosis.”

Question 14

Which diagnostic method is used to detect the presence of Histoplasma capsulatum antigen in clinical samples?

Answer 14

“The Histoplasma antigen assay is used to detect Histoplasma capsulatum antigen in clinical samples

Question 15

Which pulmonary fungal infection is commonly associated with exposure to bird droppings, and what is the most common clinical manifestation of this infection?

Answer 15

“Histoplasmosis is associated with exposure to bird droppings. The most common clinical manifestation is asymptomatic or mild pulmonary infection

Question 16

Which pulmonary fungal infection is characterized by the presence of ‘tuberculochlamydospores,’ and how are these structures visualized?

Answer 16

“Histoplasmosis. Tuberculochlamydospores are the characteristic macroconidia of Histoplasma capsulatum

Question 17

Which diagnostic test is used to detect the presence of Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA in clinical samples?

Answer 17

“Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to detect Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA in clinical samples.”

Question 18

Which two antifungal medications are commonly used in combination therapy for cryptococcal meningitis?

Answer 18

“Intravenous amphotericin B and oral fluconazole are commonly used in combination therapy for cryptococcal meningitis.”

Question 19

Which group of antifungal medications targets ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane?

Answer 19

“Polyene antifungal medications

Question 20

Which antifungal medication is used for the treatment of cryptococcosis infections that have not spread to the central nervous system?

Answer 20

“Fluconazole is used for treating cryptococcosis infections that haven’t spread to the CNS.”

Question 21

Which fungal infection is known to mimic tuberculosis in the Philippines, and what clinical features contribute to this misdiagnosis?

Answer 21

“Aspergilloma. It can mimic tuberculosis due to its predilection for colonizing pre-existing lung cavities

Question 22

Which fungal infection is characterized by the presence of spherules containing endospores, and how are these structures visualized?

Answer 22

“Coccidioidomycosis. Spherules containing endospores are characteristic of Coccidioides species and can be visualized microscopically in tissue samples or cultures.”

Question 23

Which staining technique is used to visualize the capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans, and what characteristic appearance does it create?

Answer 23

“The India ink stain is used to visualize the capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans

Question 24

Which fungal infection causes a disease known as blastomycosis, and where is it most commonly found?

Answer 24

“Blastomycosis

Question 25

Which environmental factor is associated with the risk of acquiring coccidioidomycosis?

Answer 25

“Exposure to dust in endemic areas

Question 26

Which treatment is recommended for a patient diagnosed with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis?

Answer 26

“Long-term antifungal therapy with itraconazole or voriconazole is recommended for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.”

Question 27

Which diagnostic test is used to detect the presence of Coccidioides species in a clinical sample?

Answer 27

“Serology (detecting antibodies) and PCR are used to detect the presence of Coccidioides species in clinical samples.”

Question 28

Which systemic antifungal medication is most commonly used to treat severe systemic candidiasis?

Answer 28

“Echinocandins such as caspofungin are often the first line of treatment for severe systemic candidiasis.”

Question 29

Which fungal infection is commonly associated with ‘rose gardener’s disease’, and what is its primary clinical manifestation?

Answer 29

“Sporotrichosis

Question 30

Which form of Cryptococcus neoformans is responsible for causing infections in immunocompromised individuals?

Answer 30

“The encapsulated form of Cryptococcus neoformans is responsible for causing infections

Question 31

Which treatment is used for a severe case of mucormycosis?

Answer 31

“Treatment for severe mucormycosis typically involves surgical debridement and intravenous amphotericin B.”

Question 32

Which antifungal medication is used for the treatment of superficial fungal infections like tinea corporis?

Answer 32

“Topical antifungals

Question 33

Which group of patients is most at risk for contracting Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)?

Answer 33

“Patients with weakened immune systems

Question 34

Which condition is a common complication of untreated Cryptococcus neoformans infection?

Answer 34

“Untreated Cryptococcus neoformans infection can lead to meningitis

Question 35

Which fungal infection is commonly associated with paranasal sinus involvement, and what is the preferred treatment?

Answer 35

“Mucormycosis is commonly associated with paranasal sinus involvement. The preferred treatment is amphotericin B

Question 36

Which diagnostic test is considered the gold standard for diagnosing candidiasis?

Answer 36

“Culture of the organism from a clinical specimen (such as blood or tissue) is considered the gold standard for diagnosing candidiasis.”

Question 37

Which fungal infection is most likely to cause a ‘tree-in-bud’ appearance on chest imaging?

Answer 37

“Pneumocystis pneumonia (Pneumocystis jirovecii) is most likely to cause a ‘tree-in-bud’ appearance on chest imaging

Question 38

Which fungal infection is characterized by the formation of granulomas and cavitary lesions in the lungs?

Answer 38

“Tuberculosis-like fungal infections such as histoplasmosis and blastomycosis are often characterized by the formation of granulomas and cavitary lesions in the lungs.”

Question 39

Which antifungal agent is often the drug of choice for treatment of candidemia?

Answer 39

“Fluconazole is often the drug of choice for treating candidemia

Question 40

Which fungal infection is most commonly associated with farmers and those working with soil?

Answer 40

“Histoplasmosis is most commonly associated with farmers and those working with soil

Question 41

Which fungal infection is most likely to result in meningitis in immunocompromised individuals?

Answer 41

“Cryptococcosis (Cryptococcus neoformans) is most likely to result in meningitis