Mycology (fungi) Flashcards

1
Q

3 key points about Fungi

A
  • Nosocomial infections
  • Opportunistic infections
  • Few are primary pathogens
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2
Q

Chitin

A

Used to create the cell wall in fungi

- “Calcofluor white” when stained with calcium

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3
Q

Ergosterol

A

Sterol in fungi cell membrane (human equiv = cholesterol)

  • Regulates passage of molecules through membrane
  • Antifungal drugs (Amphotericin B) aim to affect ergosterol synthesis
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4
Q

Describe the types of fungi

A

Mold, Yeast, Thermally dimorphic

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5
Q

Mold

A
  • Body of fungus/masses of hyphae = “thallus”

- ex. Aspergillus

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6
Q

Yeast

A
  1. Reproduces by budding
    - “Pseudohyphae” when it fails to detach
    - Ex. Candida albicans invades as pseudohyphae
  2. Can be non-pathogenic
    - Ex. Saccharomycens (ethanol for wine, CO2 for bread)
  3. Capable for facultative anaerobic growth
    * Important for invasiveness
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7
Q

What is Cryptococcus neoformans and its virulence factor?

A
  • A yeast

- VF: polysaccharide capsule

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8
Q

Thermally dimorphic fungi

A
  • Can grow as mold (20C) or yeast (37); temperature dependent
  • Ex. Sporothrix (rose gardener’s disease)
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9
Q

Sporothrix

A

Rose Gardener’s Disease

  • Subcutaneous infection by a dimorphic fungi
  • Fungal spores are introduced into wound after trauma
  • Commonly results in lymphangitis on arms + legs
  • Causes ulcer formations as it progresses
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10
Q

How do bacteria reproduce?

A

Formation of spores called “conidas”

- Also important for identification

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11
Q

Nutritional demands of fungi

A
  • Less nutritionally demanding than bacteria
  • Grow better than bacteria in extreme conditions
  • Most are aerobic + grow best @25-30C
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12
Q

Mycosis (pl. mycoses)

A

Fungal diseases

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13
Q

Superficial mycoses

A
  • Infects the surface of hair shafts + outer skin layer

- Mild infections: Black & White Piedra; Malassezia furfur

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14
Q

Cutaneous mycoses

A
  • Infects deeper layers of epidermis (ex. athletes foot, ringworm)
  • Caused by dermatophytes (uses keratin as carbon source/food)
  • 3 different moulds, same MOP
  • Clinical diseases are called “tineas”
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15
Q

Systemic mycoses

A
  • Infections in the deep tissues
  • Caused by primary + opportunistic pathogens
  • Most severe
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16
Q

Black and white piedra

A

A superficial mycosis

- Hair gets brittle and breaks off

17
Q

Malassezia furfur

A

Superficial mycosis

- Discolorization of skin (commonly due to yeast)

18
Q

Dermatophytes

A
  • Causes cutaneous fungal infections

- Degrades + uses keratin as carbon source/food

19
Q

Tineas

A

Clinical cutaneous fungal infections

20
Q

Candidasis albicans

A

Opportunisitic fungus, yeast-like

  • Causes vulvo-vaginal candidasis + thrush in mouth and throat
  • Common cause of mouth + throat infections in neonates + immunocomp.
  • Can be treated with broad-spectrum ABs
  • Normal flora in the gut + mouth
21
Q

Antiseptic + example

A

Disinfectant used on the skin

- Hand sanitizer, mouthwash

22
Q

Disinfectant

A

Chemicals used to destroy many microorganisms + viruses

- SURFACES

23
Q

Pasteurization

A

Brief heat treatment used to reduce the # of organisms + kill pathogenic organisms

24
Q

Sanitization

A

Reduction of the # of organisms to a level that meets public health standards
- Ex. Washing clothes

25
Q

Sterilization

A

destruction of all forms of microorganisms + inactivation of spores

26
Q

Describe the types of isolation rooms

A

Negative pressure: room air can’t go outside

Positive pressure: corridor air can’t get inside the room

27
Q

HEPA

A

High efficiency particulate air ventilation used in OR

28
Q

Describe 4 ways in which sterilization can be achieved.

A
  1. Heat (hot air for 1-2 days; Autoclaving to inactivate bacterial spores)
  2. Irridation - Gamma or UV (expose food to ionizing radiation to destroy microorgs)
  3. Filtration
  4. Chemicals
29
Q

Autoclaving

A

Spore Test: sterilization of bacterial spores

  • Ampule of nutrient media + spores of non-pathogenic bacteria are autoclaved w/ object to be sterilized (instruments), then ampule is incubated
  • Growth is indicated by change in pH of ampule (=change in color)
30
Q

What determines the efficiency of sterilization?

A

If the object is free of organic matter (blood, fecal material, etc.)
- If not, plaque formation

31
Q

What are halogens?

A

They are chemical agents that sterilize if appropriate amount is used + prolonged time of exposure

CHLORINE

  • Strong oxidizing agent (ex. Chlorox)
  • Good for backpackers for decontaminating water (5-10 min)

IODINE
- Available as tincture (dissolved in alcohol) or as an iodaphor (combo w/ organix matter that slowly release iodine)

32
Q

Viruses with envelopes are more sensitive to disinfectants than naked viruses. True or False?

A

TRUE because it is a lipid envelope

33
Q

Why are alcohol-based sanitizers inappropriate for naked viruses + endospore-containing organisms?

A

They kill bacteria + fungi, but don’t deactivate endospores + non-enveloped viruses.

34
Q

Alcohols

A
  • Kill bacteria + fungi, but don’t deactivate endospores + non-enveloped viruses
  • Protein denaturation + disruption of lipid membrane
  • Used for skin degerming
  • Not good for treating wounds b/w they cause coagulation of proteins (creates enviro where bacteria can grow inside scab)
  • Optimal [ethanol] = 70%
  • Isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) > ethanol because it doesn’t evaporate as fast
35
Q

What is the least and most susceptible towards chemical agents?

A

Least: Prions
Most: enveloped viruses