Lecture 34: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome and headache

Question 1

Fungal infection of people with AIDS?

Answer 1

• Candida albicans

- Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis

Question 2

Candida albicans

Answer 2

• yeast
• mouth, gut, vagina
• Overgrowth related to antibacterial therapy, hormonal effects, immune supression, foreign bodies
• Causes thrush (as well as a few other ilnesses less commonly
• topical antifungal treatment

Question 3

Cryptococcus neoformans

Answer 3

• ‘other’ yeast, much rarer
• Associated with pigeon faeces or gum trees
• organism inhaled –> pulmonary infection –> blood infection –> CSF (IN IMMUNODEFICIENT PEOPLE) –> meningitis

Question 4

Diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis?

Answer 4

• 10-100 WBCs in CSF, lymphocytes nto neutrophils, incr. protein and glucose
• Encapsulated yeast seen with india ink stain
• Cryptococcal antigen +ve in CSF

Question 5

What do dermatophytes cause?

Answer 5

-Tinea, capitis, corporis, cruris, pedis etc

Question 6

Diagnosis of dermatophytes?

Answer 6

• Under microscope branching mulitcellular fungi

- Look like molds when grown

Question 7

Treatments for dermatophytes?

Answer 7

• Topical azole

- For nails take oral agent

Question 8

What is aspergillus fumigatus?

Answer 8

• Spore bearing branching mold
• come from rotting vegetation
• rare cause of severe disease (necrotising pneumonia) in neutropenic pateients

Question 9

Antifungal drugs?

Answer 9

-Amphotericin B
Binds to ergosterol
-Azoles
Inhibits ergosterol formation