Introduction to Fungi.

Question 1

What types of life can fungi infect?

Answer 1

Plants, insects, amphibians and mammals

Question 2

What is a fungus?

Answer 2

A chemo-organotrophic eukaryote that lacks chlorophyll and forms spores.

Question 3

Describe the cell wall of a fungus.

Answer 3

Its cell wall contains polysaccharides, often chitin or glucan, and it absorbs nutrients.

Question 4

What is the major sterol of the cell membrane of a fungues?

Answer 4

Ergosterol

Question 5

What is classification of a fungi based on?

Answer 5

Their morphology.

Question 6

Informally, what do we refer to as the three main types of fungi?

Answer 6

Mould, yeast or mushrooms.

Question 7

Name the three major types of fungi.

Answer 7

Basidiomycetes, Ascomycetes and Zygomycetes.

Question 8

How are Basidiomycetes, Ascomycetes and Zygomycete calssifed?

Answer 8

Depending on which sexual spore they produce.

Question 9

What can all three of Basidiomycetes, Ascomycetes and Zygomycetes cause?

Answer 9

Disease in humans

Question 10

Name one type of Zygomycetes.

Answer 10

Mucor Rhizopus

Question 11

Name one type of Basidiomytes.

Answer 11

Cryptococcus

Question 12

Name one type of Ascomycetes.

Answer 12

Candida Histoplasma

Question 13

Name two non-fatal diseases caused by fungi.

Answer 13

Athlete’s foot
Thrush

Question 14

Which species caused Athlete’s Foot?

Answer 14

Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton spp.

Question 15

Which species causes thrush?

Answer 15

Candida spp.

Question 16

What is the main dermatophyte virulence factor of fungi?

Answer 16

Enzyme(s) that degrade and utilize keratin as a nutrient source

Question 17

What is Dermatophytosis?

Answer 17

Ringworm

Question 18

What causes Dermatophytosis
?

Answer 18

Epidermophyton
Microsporum
Trichophyton spp

Question 19

What can Malassezia species cause?

Answer 19

Superficial infections in susceptible skin
Wide range of infections in immunocompromised (AIDS, transplant) and premature neonates

Question 20

What is the Malassezia species?

Answer 20

Frequent colonisers of healthy skin, especially sebum-rich areas

Question 21

What encourages growth of fungi?

Answer 21

Microenvironments.

Question 22

What kind of environment encourages growth of fungi?

Answer 22

Warm and moist.

Question 23

Whereabouts on the body might fungi grow?

Answer 23

Skin or mucous membranes.

Question 24

Name another factor which can contribute to infection.

Answer 24

Use of broad-spectrum antibacterial agents.

This is because broad-spectrum antibacterial agents reduce competition for epithelial colonization sites in the gut

Question 25

Immunosuppression can also increase fungi. Name the two types of immunosuppressant and give examples.

Answer 25

Iatrogenic: steroids anti-cancer chemotherapy solid-organ transplantation Disease processes: AIDS leukaemia endocrinopathies ->can be a combo of both types

Question 26

Name some species of Candida infections.

Answer 26

Candida auris Candida albicans Candida tropicalis

Question 27

Namediseases/infecions caused by Candida bacteria in humsnas.

Answer 27

Vaginal infection. Skin infection. Oral infection Nail infection UTI's Oesophagal infection

Question 28

Candida species are what type of organisms?

Answer 28

Yeast

Question 29

What can Candida albicans

Answer 29

Hyphae

Question 30

Name the two catergories of Candida infection.

Answer 30

Superficial Deep seated

Question 31

give examples of superficial Candida infections.

Answer 31

Infections of the- mouth, skin, nails, penis and vagina.

Question 32

Give examples of deep seated infections caused by Candida.

Answer 32

Dissempitated infectios in seriously immunocompromised hosts e.g. neotropenia, abdominal surgery, major burns.

Question 33

In which individuals can Chronic mucocutaneous Candida infection arise in?

Answer 33

Individuals with an unusual combination of endocrine and immune dysfunction

Question 34

Aspergillosis is another type of infection caused by fungus. Name some of the causative species Honestly idk how many names we are expected to remember, maybe shoudl ask

Answer 34

Aspergillus fumigatus Aspergillus flavus Aspergillus nidulans (in CGD patients) Aspergillus lentulus

Question 35

Name one disease caused by Aspergillosis.

Answer 35

Simple asthma

Question 36

What is the route of infection for Aspergillosis?

Answer 36

Inhalation of conidia

Question 37

What is Cryptococcosis caused by?

Answer 37

Caused by yeast w a capsule.

Question 38

What are the main causative species of Cryptococcosis?

Answer 38

Cryptococcus neoformans Cryptococcus gattii

Question 39

What disease does Cryptococcus neoformans cause?

Answer 39

pulmonary cryptococcosis (rare lung infection).

Question 40

What disease is caused by Cryptococcus gattii?

Answer 40

Meningitis (particularly in AIDS patients)

Question 41

If you have a weak immune response, what's the strength of the host action?

Answer 41

High

Question 42

What can happen if your body provides too strong an immune response?

Answer 42

Hyperinflammation. Tissues may get damaged.

Question 43

Why do people develop Systemic candidosis or Acute invasive Aspergillosis?

Answer 43

They have too weak of an immune response.

Question 44

Why do people develop Recurrent Candida vaginitis/Dermatophytosis?

Answer 44

They have too strong an immune response.

Question 45

Name some diagnostic techniques which can be helpful in diagnosing fungal based infections.

Answer 45

Direct detection (histopathology, high-res CT scans) PCR to detect fungal DNA

Question 46

How can you diagnose skin infection?

Answer 46

Can take skin scraping and treat with potassium hydroxide to visualise the fungal bacterial elements which are resistant to hydrogen peroxide treatment.

Question 47

What staining can be used in diagnosis regarding a direct smear?

Answer 47

PAS staining

Question 48

Name a fluorescent stain which is specific to fungi.

Answer 48

Calcofluor White stain

Question 49

Name the life saving antifungal which targets sterols.

Answer 49

Triazoles or allylamines

Question 50

Name the life saving antifungal which targets cell wall

Answer 50

Echinocandins

Question 51

Name the life saving antifungal which targets membrane

Answer 51

Polyenes

Question 52

Name the life saving antifungal which targets DNA synthesis

Answer 52

Flucytosine

Question 53

List some problems with antifungals.

Answer 53

Spectrum of activity Static or cidal IV vs oral Toxicity Resistance Cost