Introduction to fungi Flashcards
What 4 things can fungi infect?
Plants
Insects
Amphibians
Mammals
What is the kingdom name?
Fungi
What is mycology?
Study of fungi
Define fungus.
Chemo-organotrophic eukaryote that lacks chlorophyll and forms spores.
What do fungi walls contain and what is its function?
Polysaccharides, absorb nutrients.
What do fungi membranes contain?
Ergosterol.
What are the sexual and asexual spores of basidomycetes?
Basidiospore
Conidium
What are the sexual and asexual spores of ascomycetes?
Ascospore
Conidium
What are the sexual and asexual spores of zygomycetes?
Zygospore
Sporangiospore
Define yeast.
Fungi that favour a unicellular habit.
What are fungi a significant cause of?
Non-fatal diseases.
What is athlete’s foot caused by?
Epidermophyton
Microsporum
Trichophyton spp.
What is thrush caused by?
Candida spp.
What is pityriasis versicolor caused by?
Malassezia spp.
What is the general name for ringworm infections?
Tinea
What are the causative agents for dermatophytosis?
Epidermophyton
Microsporum
Trichophyton spp.
What do the causative agents for dermatophytosis do?
Degrade keratin as a nutrient source.
What are the causative agents for pityriasis versicolour?
Malessezia spp.
What do the causative agents for pityriasis versicolour do?
Form hyphae in infected skin.
What are the favourable micro-environments for fungal infections?
Warm, moist areas.
What reduces competition for epithelial colonization sites in the gut?
Broad spectrum antibacterial agents.
What the iatrogenic ways to immunosuppres host defences?
Steroids
Anti-cancer chemotherapy
Solid-organ transplantation
What are the disease processes to immunosuppres host defences?
AIDS
Leukaemia
Endocrinopathies
What are most candida species infections?
Endogenous
What are the main 3 candida infections?
Candida albicans
Tropicalis
Glabrata
What are the 3 main human diseases caused by candida infections?
Oral infections
Vaginal infections
Skin infections
Are candida spp yeast or bacteria?
Yeast
What can candida infections cause in immunocompromised hosts?
Disseminated infections
Where can chronic mucocutaneous candida infections arise?
In individuals with an unusual combination of endocrine and immune dysfunction.
What are the 2 main aspergillosis species?
Aspergillus fumigatus
Flavus
What are the 3 main human diseases caused by aspergillosis species?
Simple asthma
Asthma with eosinophilia
Aspergilloma
Are aspergillus spp bacteria or moulds?
Moulds
How do aspergillosis infections occur?
Inhalation of conidia.
How can aspergillosis infections be seen in the lungs?
Thread like substance.
What are the 2 main cyptococcosis species?
Cryptococcosis neoformans
Gattii
What are the 3 human diseases associated with cryptococcosis infections?
Pulmonary cryptococcosis
Meningitis
Disseminated infection
What are 2 direct detection diagnostic methods?
Histopathology
CT Scans
What are 4 diagnostic methods excluding direct detection?
Detection of circulating fungal antigens
Detection of circulating antibodies
PCR
Culture of fungus
Why are lifesaving antifungals disadvantageous?
Toxic
Resistance
Cost
Name the 3 types of antifungal agents.
Polyenes
Azoles
Echinocandins
