Invasive Fungal Infections Flashcards
Unicellular, reproduce by budding
yeasts
multicellular, filamentous colonies
molds
Yeast classification
- candida spp
2. cryptococcus spp
Molds classifcation
- aspergillus spp
- coccidioidomycoses
- histoplasmosis
- blastomycosis
- mucormycosis
most common cause of invasive fungal infections especially in hospitals and ICU
candida
What are healthcare associated infections of candida (4)?
- broad spectrum antibiotic exposure
- corticosteroids
- dialysis
- prolonged use of intravascular catheters
What are 5 different species of candida?
- candida albicans
- candida glabrata
- candida parapsilosis
- candida tropicalis
- candida krusei
Most common and susceptible candida
candida albicans
Most common candida in immunocompromised patients and organ transplant recipients
candida glabrata
A multi drug-resistant germ that spreads in healthcare facilities and behaves more like Nosocomial Bacteria than traditional Fungi (i.e., it is more difficult to contain and decontaminate than most Fungi)
candida auris
Challenges of Diagnosing Invasive Candidiasis (IC)
- nonspecific clinical signs and symptoms
- colonization vs infections
- candida endopthalmitis
- skin lesions
- muscle soreness
Risk factors for getting candida (8)
- ICU stay of 7 or more days
- central IV lines
- neonates
- broad spectrum abx
- hemodialysis
- glucocorticoid use
- IV drugs use
- abdominal surgery
Gold standard for diagnosing candida
blood cultures
3 disadvantages of blood cultures for candida
- slow turn around time 2-3 days
- antifungal sensitivities can takes 7 or more days
- false negatives occur in 40-75% of cultures
Disseminated candida
Candida likes to travel to highly perfused organs such as the Liver, Kidneys, and the Spleen, resulting in nodules
Problems with Diagnosing Invasive Fungal Infections
- Poor Diagnostic Tools with long turnaround times
- Empiric Antifungal Therapy is often delayed, putting patients at a
heightened risk for mortality
low resistance to Fluconazole (Diflucan®), making Fluconazole the drug of choice for this candida infection
candida albicans
What has an Acquired Resistance to
Triazoles like Fluconazole (Diflucan®)
candida glabrata
What has the highest rate of resistance to Fluconazole (above 80%),
but its’ high resistance does NOT confer cross-resistance to other Triazoles
candida krusel
2nd most common Fungi seen in hospitals
Aspergillosis
universal and occurs via inhalation
Aspergillosis
found in soil, plants, and indoors (i.e., black mold in showers)
Aspergillosis
most common invasive mold infection
Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis resistant to amp B
A. terreus