Mycology

Question 1

Treatment for Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP)?

Answer 1

• causes life-threatening fungal pneumonia in HIV pts
• NO response to anti-fungal treatment
• antibiotics recommended

Question 2

Candidiasis is an ____ infection.

Answer 2

opportunistic

Question 3

Diagnosis of Candida albicans?

Answer 3

• direct microscopy — germ tube formation and chlamydospores exclusive to C. albicans
• obtain culture

Question 4

What is a unique characteristic for Candida albicans?

Answer 4

germ tubes (in presence of serum)

Question 5

What are the multiple forms of Candidiasis?

Answer 5

pseudohyphae, true hyphae, germ tubes

cutaneous, oral, thrush, and vulvovaginal are some examples

Question 6

What is the 4th leading cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections?

Answer 6

Candida species

Question 7

Virulence Factors of Cryptococcus neoformans?

Answer 7

• polysaccharide capsule (anti-phagocytic,
  immunosuppressive)
• melanin synthesis — (evades immune system)
• most infections are asymptomatic
• may present as isolated pulmonary nodule (carcinoma)
• (this fungi is very difficult to get rid of which is why may cause death in a patient!)

Question 8

Opportunistic infections are NOT:

Answer 8

thermally dimorphic

Question 9

What is the cause of desert rheumatism?

Answer 9

coccidioidomycosis

Question 10

Desert rheumatism can cause (2):

Answer 10

• severe joint pain

- meningitis

Question 11

What does Malassezia furfur cause?

Answer 11

• causes superficial mycoses

* location — trunk, neck, face, arms • disease — tinea versicolor

Question 12

What is the pathogenesis of Tinea versicolor?

Answer 12

• chronic or relapsing mycosis

- round or oval hypo- or hyper-pigmented macules covered with thin scales

Question 13

Rounded, thick walled, and quite resistant; very classic of candida albicans

Answer 13

Chlamydospores

Question 14

TRUE OR FALSE:

C. albicans can form multiple buds that do not detach during asexual reproduction.

Answer 14

True

Question 15

C. albicans produces sausage like chains called:

Answer 15

pseudohyphae (which are are used for identification)

Question 16

C. albicans can form different kinds of spores depending on the conditions, which allows them to:

Answer 16

thrive in different conditions and become pathogenic

Question 17

C. albicans = ___

Answer 17

pleomorphic

Question 18

What are the different spores that C. albicans can form?

Answer 18

• Ovoid cells
• Pseudohyphae
• Germ tube
• Filamentous

Question 19

Form different structures at different temperatures = ?

Answer 19

thermal dimorphism

Question 20

What are some examples of fungi that are thermally dimorphic?

Answer 20

• Blastomycesdermatitidis
• Coccidiodes immitis
• Histoplasma capsulatum
• Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis

Question 21

How do you diagnose zygomycosis (mucormycosis)?

Answer 21

• microscopy of tissue for presence of NON-SEPTATE
  hyphae branching at wide angle (90 degrees) and spores in sac
• no serological tests
• culture of non-sterile sites, like lungs or sinuses

Question 22

Tinea pedis = ?
Tinea capitis = ?
\_\_\_ = jock itch
\_\_\_ = onychomycosis 
Tinea corporis = ?

Answer 22

Pedis = athlete's foot
Capitis = Scalp hair infection
Cruris = jock itch
Unguium = Onychomycosis
Corporis = ringworm

Question 23

Type of pathogen that can invade and grow in a healthy, non-compromised host.

Answer 23

True pathogen

Question 24

Primary portal of entry for true pathogenic infections?

Answer 24

Respiratory

Question 25

Primary portal of entry for opportunistic infections?

Answer 25

Respiratory and Mucocutaneous

Question 26

Degree of virulence for opportunistic infections?

Answer 26

Limited (only immunocompromised ppl get it)

Question 27

Degree of virulence for true pathogenic infections?

Answer 27

Well-developed (anybody can get it)

Question 28

Dermatophytoses is also called:

Answer 28

cutaneous mycosis

Question 29

Sporothrix schneckii causes what disease?

Answer 29

Sporotrichosis

Question 30

Discuss Sporotrichosis.

Answer 30

• Thermally dimorphic
• Obtained from puncture wounds during gardening and outdoor activities
• Travels through lymph nodes; “Rose-picker” disease

Question 31

Microscopy of Sporotrichosis shows:

Answer 31

cigar-shaped budding yeast in pus or tissues