Introduction to fungi

Question 1

What 4 things can fungi infect?

Answer 1

Plants
Insects
Amphibians
Mammals

Question 2

What is the kingdom name?

Answer 2

Fungi

Question 3

What is mycology?

Answer 3

Study of fungi

Question 4

Define fungus.

Answer 4

Chemo-organotrophic eukaryote that lacks chlorophyll and forms spores.

Question 5

What do fungi walls contain and what is its function?

Answer 5

Polysaccharides, absorb nutrients.

Question 6

What do fungi membranes contain?

Answer 6

Ergosterol.

Question 7

What are the sexual and asexual spores of basidomycetes?

Answer 7

Basidiospore

Conidium

Question 8

What are the sexual and asexual spores of ascomycetes?

Answer 8

Ascospore

Conidium

Question 9

What are the sexual and asexual spores of zygomycetes?

Answer 9

Zygospore

Sporangiospore

Question 10

Define yeast.

Answer 10

Fungi that favour a unicellular habit.

Question 11

What are fungi a significant cause of?

Answer 11

Non-fatal diseases.

Question 12

What is athlete’s foot caused by?

Answer 12

Epidermophyton
Microsporum
Trichophyton spp.

Question 13

What is thrush caused by?

Answer 13

Candida spp.

Question 14

What is pityriasis versicolor caused by?

Answer 14

Malassezia spp.

Question 15

What is the general name for ringworm infections?

Answer 15

Tinea

Question 16

What are the causative agents for dermatophytosis?

Answer 16

Epidermophyton
Microsporum
Trichophyton spp.

Question 17

What do the causative agents for dermatophytosis do?

Answer 17

Degrade keratin as a nutrient source.

Question 18

What are the causative agents for pityriasis versicolour?

Answer 18

Malessezia spp.

Question 19

What do the causative agents for pityriasis versicolour do?

Answer 19

Form hyphae in infected skin.

Question 20

What are the favourable micro-environments for fungal infections?

Answer 20

Warm, moist areas.

Question 21

What reduces competition for epithelial colonization sites in the gut?

Answer 21

Broad spectrum antibacterial agents.

Question 22

What the iatrogenic ways to immunosuppres host defences?

Answer 22

Steroids
Anti-cancer chemotherapy
Solid-organ transplantation

Question 23

What are the disease processes to immunosuppres host defences?

Answer 23

AIDS
Leukaemia
Endocrinopathies

Question 24

What are most candida species infections?

Answer 24

Endogenous

Question 25

What are the main 3 candida infections?

Answer 25

Candida albicans Tropicalis Glabrata

Question 26

What are the 3 main human diseases caused by candida infections?

Answer 26

Oral infections Vaginal infections Skin infections

Question 27

Are candida spp yeast or bacteria?

Answer 27

Yeast

Question 28

What can candida infections cause in immunocompromised hosts?

Answer 28

Disseminated infections

Question 29

Where can chronic mucocutaneous candida infections arise?

Answer 29

In individuals with an unusual combination of endocrine and immune dysfunction.

Question 30

What are the 2 main aspergillosis species?

Answer 30

Aspergillus fumigatus | Flavus

Question 31

What are the 3 main human diseases caused by aspergillosis species?

Answer 31

Simple asthma Asthma with eosinophilia Aspergilloma

Question 32

Are aspergillus spp bacteria or moulds?

Answer 32

Moulds

Question 33

How do aspergillosis infections occur?

Answer 33

Inhalation of conidia.

Question 34

How can aspergillosis infections be seen in the lungs?

Answer 34

Thread like substance.

Question 35

What are the 2 main cyptococcosis species?

Answer 35

Cryptococcosis neoformans | Gattii

Question 36

What are the 3 human diseases associated with cryptococcosis infections?

Answer 36

Pulmonary cryptococcosis Meningitis Disseminated infection

Question 37

What are 2 direct detection diagnostic methods?

Answer 37

Histopathology | CT Scans

Question 38

What are 4 diagnostic methods excluding direct detection?

Answer 38

Detection of circulating fungal antigens Detection of circulating antibodies PCR Culture of fungus

Question 39

Why are lifesaving antifungals disadvantageous?

Answer 39

Toxic Resistance Cost

Question 40

Name the 3 types of antifungal agents.

Answer 40

Polyenes Azoles Echinocandins