Intro to Clinical Mycology Flashcards
Define Mycology
The study of fungi (yeasts and molds)
T/F Fungi are eukaryotic
True
How do fungi obtain nutrients?
Absorption
What does “Mycoses” mean?
Fungal infections
What is another name for Kingdom Fungi?
Myeteae
T/F Fungi are Chemotrophs
True
What is a chemotroph?
Oragnism that requires organic compounds for both carbon and energy sources
What is the most common fungi we will come across in dentistry?
Candida spp.
Define Saprophyte
Organisms that live off decaying matter
Name the 3 targets of anti-fungal therapy
- Ergosterol
- (1-3) Beta-D glucan synthase
- 14 Alpha-demethylase
Name the main classes of drugs used in anti-fungal therapy, what their targets are, how they work, and lisit examples of each
- POLYENES
- Target: Ergosterol
- Example: Amphotericin products
- Binds to ergosterol and disrupt osmolaric integrity of cell membrane
- AZOLES
- 14 a Demethylase
- Examples: itraconazole, voriconzole, posaconazole
- inhibits its target resulting in a loss of normal fungal sterols and accumulation of 14a-demethyl sterols within the fungus
- ECHINOCANDINS
- (1-3) B-D-glucan synthase
- Examples: capsofungin, micafungin, anidulafungin
- They inhibit their target and block cell wall synthesis
What is Flucytosine and how is relevant to fungi?
- It is a drug used to treat fungal infections especially from members of teh candida and cryptococcus
- It is selectively converted by fungi to active metabolites and inhibits fungal RNA and DNA synthesis
What are the components of the fungal cell wall?
- Mannan
- Beta-glucans
- Chitin
Describe the phenotypic morphology of yeasts vs. molds
YEASTS:
- Single cells
- Colonies in Culture
- Single
- Creamy, mucoid
- Facultative anaerobes
MOLDS:
- Multicellular, filamentous
- Hyphae: thread like filaments
- Mycelium: Hyphae interweave
- Colonies in culture:
- Fuzzy, Velvety
- Obligate aerobes
What is microscopic vs. macroscopic morphology?
Microscopic: Arrangement of reproductive bodies in culture, tissue histopathology
Macroscopic: culture
Define Blastoconidia
Yeast buds
Define Pseudohyphae
A chain a blastoconidia
Which produces true hyphae, yeast or mold?
Mold