Mycology Flashcards
What are fungi?
Eukaryotic, unicellular (yeasts) or filamentous (molds), reproduce via spores, thick carbohydrate cell wall containing chitin and glucan and cell membrane containing ergosterol.
What are coenocytic molds.
Molds with hyphae that are non-septated, multinucleated filaments.
What are dimorphic fungi?
Species of fungi that exist in either mold or yeast form. Usually mold in the cold and yeast in the heat (with exceptions).
What is KOH mount?
10% solution of KOH; digests tissue elements but leaves behind yeasts and molds to be seen under light microscope.
What is Calciflor White Detection?
A dye that binds to polysaccharides in cellulose and chitin. Under UV light calciflor white fluoresces.
What is Periodic acid-Schiff reagent (PAS)?
Periodic acid forms aldehyde from chitin monomer in fungal cell wall. Schiff reagent reacts with aldehyde to form red dye.
What is methenamine silver stain?
Stains almost all fungi strongly but only few tissue components.
How do fungi stain under Gram stain?
Purple.
What agar is used for culturing fungi?
Sabouraud’s Agar.
What is the primary site of colonization for c. albicans?
GI tract from mouth to rectum.
What are the virulence factors for Candida?
- Ability to adhere to tissues w/ help of adhesins.
- Ability to undergo the yeast-to-hypha transformation.
- Germ tube formation (secrete proteinase)
- Ability to secrete immunosuppressive toxins (gliotoxin).
What is the most frequent portal of entry for aspergillus spp.?
Respiratory tract.
What form does aspergillus spp. take?
Mold with septate, dichotomously branching hyphae.
