Lecture 99: Fungal Skin Infections

Question 1

What are the three molds that infect epidermis (cutaneous)

Answer 1

Microsporum - hair/skin
Trichonphyton - hair/skin/nails
Epidermophyton - skin/nails

Question 2

Function of azole

Answer 2

Inhibit fungal sterol (ergosterol) synthesis by inhibiting CYTP450 enzyme that converts lanosterol to ergosterol

Question 3

Function of echinocandins:

Answer 3

Inhibit fungal cell wall synthesis by inhibiting B-gulcan synthesis (a component in fungal cell walls)

Question 4

Polyenes function

Answer 4

Bind to ergosterol and create a pore in the cell membrane

Question 5

Immune response to fungi in endothelial cells

Answer 5

Dectin-1 is a pattern recognition molecule for B-gulcan defensins (similar to the TLR/PAMPS concept in bacteria)

Question 6

Aside from dectin-1 PRM what are two other ways that the immune system fights fungal infections

Answer 6

Neutrophil phagocytosis

Th1/Th17 responses

Question 7

Name two types of superficial mycoses

Answer 7

malassezia furfur (yeast) in pityrasis versicolor (factor in dandruff)

Trichosporon (yeast)