Mycology Flashcards
Fungal capsule
Only present in some yeasts
-Consists of polysaccharide structure
-Function as virulence factor -adhesion; and phagocytic evasion
Cryptococcus neoformans (encapsulated yeast)
Fungal cell wall (molecular composition)
Multilayered containing polysaccharides (~90%): polyhexoses, or polyhexosamines
Polysaccharides include different combinations of chitin, chitosan, cellulose, alpha-glucans, beta-glycans, and mannan
Fungal cell membrane
Has phospholipid bilayer that contains sterols (ergosterol, zymosterol)
Ergosterol
Major sterol in some fungi that is a target for drugs - the synthesis pathway makes a good target (not made in humans)
Fungal dimorphism
Some fungi can grow as either yeast-like or mold-like (depends on environmental conditions such as substrate, temperature, pH…etc.)
Dimorphic fungi are true, frank pathogens - immune system does not need to be supressed to become infected
Two modes of fungal sexual reproduction
Homothallic: haploid nuclei form adjoining parts of the same mycelium (thallus) resulting in an oospore
Heterothallic: thalli of different “mating strains” fuse, allowing haploid nuclei from two strains to fuse and form a zygospore
Fungal sexual reproduction
Plasmogamy
Cell fusion during sexual reproduction
Fungal sexual reproduction
Keryogamy
Nuclear fusion and subsequent meiosis
Dermatophytes
Cutaneous fungal infection in the living layer of the epidermis - may involve inflammation
Etiological agenst are called dermatophytes
Typical portal of entry for systemic fungal infection
Usually the respiratory tract (inhalation, usually spores) - initial lesions typically occurs in the lung - may progress slowly resulting in suppurative lesions or granuloma
Man-to-man transmission is rare
Metastatic lesions mayu occur in any organ or in the skin due to escape of organisms from primary lesion via the lymphatics or blood
Fungal spores
- Conidia
- Sporangiospores
Fungal asexual reproduction
- Fragmentation of hypae
- Budding
- Spores
Fragmentation of hypae
Asexual reproduction
Vegetative hyphae breaks up into individual cells
Polyenes
Target the fungal cell membrane - target ergosterol - creates holes in membrane
Fungicidal drugs
Nystatin and amphotericin B
Nystatin
Polyene
Primarily used for treating superficial fungal infections
i.e. thrush or skin infections
Applied topically
Only effective against Candida
Amphotericin B
Broad-spectrum
Used for systemic fungal infections and administered IV or intrathecally (spinal fluid)
Tx’s
Candida
Cryptococcus
and fungi responsible for:
blastomycosis
histoplasmosis
coccidoidomycosis
aspergillosis
Eliminated by liver and has a long half-life
Significant toxicity - liver disease, renal failure (in 80%), hypokalemia, phlebitis, cardiac arrest, seizures, dysrhythmias, intraslveolar hemorrhage, blood dyscrasias (agranulcytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia)