Fungi

Question 1

Dermatophytosis

Answer 1

fungal infection of skin (aka tinea or ringworm); metabolize keratin
treated with topical drugs (miconazole and clotrimazole)

Question 2

Dermatophytosis types:

Answer 2

Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton

Question 3

Fungal keratitis

Answer 3

fungal infection of the cornea; rare but could lead to blindness; contaminated contact lenses; diagnosed with clinical picture and culture
treated with topical antifungal for several weeks-months (natamycin, voriconazole, amphotericin)

Question 4

Fungal keratitis types:

Answer 4

Fusarium, Aspergillus, Candida

Question 5

Histoplasma capsulatum

Answer 5

dimorphic fungus (yeast or mold); causes histoplasmosis; acquired from airborne conidia in areas with bird/bat droppings (aerosolized); fever, cough, fatigue, chills; forms lung lesions; most cases are asymptomatic and usually self limiting
treated with amphotericin B or itraconazole

Question 6

Histoplasma capsulatum types:

Answer 6

Yeast present at warmer (body) temp; mold present at cooler temps

Question 7

Blastomyces dermatitidis

Answer 7

dimorphic fungus; causes blastomycosis; present in decaying organic matter like wood or leaves; acquired via inhalation of airborne conidia; asymptomatic in most cases but fever, cough, night sweats, joint pain, etc. can last 3 weeks- 3 months after exposure; in severe cases- fungi can disseminate to the skin, bones, and CNS
treated with amphotericin B or itraconazole

Question 8

Cryptococcus neoformans

Answer 8

causes cryptococcosis; present in decaying wood, soil, and bird droppings; acquired through inhalation or spores from the environment; infection may be cleared, become latent, cause pulmonary infection, or disseminate to other parts of the body (CNS); most cases asymptomatic but usually affects the lungs first, can spread to brain (cryptococcal meningitis), most dangerous for immunocompromised patients.
treated with fluconazole

Question 9

Candida albicans

Answer 9

yeast; normal flora of the skin and some mucous membranes (mouth, genitourinary tract); hundreds of other species of Candida that are normal flora too; candidiasis is abnormal overgrowth resulting when abx suppress competing bacteria, or change occurs in mucosal pH; thrush (overgrowth in oral cavity); can cause fulminating disease in immunocompromised
treated with topical clotrimazole, miconazole, or nystatin

Question 10

Candida albicans types:

Answer 10

mouth/throat: white patches on inner cheeks, tongue, roof of mouth, throat; redness/soreness; cottonmouth; loss of taste; pain while eating/swallowing; vaginal: yeast infection; vaginal itching/soreness; pain during sex; pain/discomfort peeing; vaginal discharge

Question 11

Trichophyton rubrum

Answer 11

fungal infection of the skin of the foot (aka athlete’s foot)