mycology (fungi)

Question 1

CANDIDA (yeast):
1. ____ is the most common
2. ____ is MOH notifiable

Answer 1

C. albicans is the most common
C. auris, unusual but often ‘resistant’: Worldwide emergence, MOH notifiable

Question 2

CANDIDA:
- define candidasis,
- Predisposing factors (3),
- recurring infections in ___
- Common sign?

Answer 2

Normal flora overgrowth
Factors are:
- Antibiotics
- Immunocompromised
- Infancy, old age, pregnancy
- moisture
Recurring in HIV/AIDS
- thrush

Question 3

DERMATOPHYTES (Filamentous fungi)
- Mode of action
- Sources
- common presentations (2)
- caused by?

Answer 3

• digest keratin
• Sources: humans, animals, or environment
• ‘Ring worm’ – skin, ‘Athlete’s foot’ – soles, and toe webs, scaly skin, Hair - broken shafts, Nails – white, opaque, thick and brittle
• Moisture

Question 4

Systemic candidiasis – is common!
- predisposing factors same as for superficial candidiasis, but ___
- additional factors:___ surgery/perforation, __ line, __ neonates

Answer 4

• predisposing factors same as for superficial candidiasis, but more extensive
• additional factors: GIT perforation / surgery, Intravascular line, Preterm neonates

Question 5

ASPERGILLOSIS (filamentous fungus)
-Fungus name most common:
- spreads by: ___ releases large numbers of fungal spores into the air
- ____ aspergillosis: Immunocompromised patients can get ____

Answer 5

• Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common
• Building work releases
  large numbers of fungal
  spores into the air
• Invasive aspergillosis: Immunocompromised patients can get Neutropaenia

Question 6

CRYPTOCOCCUS (capsulated yeast)
- Common yeast (2)
- Inhaled, systemic spread can lead to… (3)
- Test by: (2 ways, M and C)

Answer 6

• Common yeast: C. neoformans, and C. gattii
• Inhaled, systemic spread can lead to Pulmonary, Skin lesions, Meningitis especially in HIV/AIDS
• M: Antigen test (serum/CSF)
• Culture (CSF, Blood, Urine, BAL, Biopsy)

Question 7

Pneumocystis jiroveci
- ___ infection in immunocompromised. common in HIV/AIDS patients with low CD4
- Does not respond to antifungal drugs –> Use ___
- Culture impossible: do ___(microscopy)

Answer 7

• Lung infections in immunocompromised. common in HIV/AIDS patients with low CD4
• Does not respond to antifungal drugs –> Use Co-trimoxazole
• Culture impossible: do PCR (microscopy)