Opportunistic mycoses Flashcards
The most virulent of the Candida spp is ___
Candida albicans
Name the virulence factors of Candida albicans
Surface receptors
Cell wall can act as an immunomodulator
Hydrolytic enzyme activity – acid protease, phospholipases
Host mimicry – production of a surface complement C3D receptor
Germ tube formation
**I see you on the surface, your walls try to modulate my immunity but I have hydrolytic enzymes and I can make you mimi-cry. Better get a germ tube and save yourself**
In addition to the other virulence factors, what is one feature of Candida albicans that allows it to adhere to and proliferate on the surfaces of plastic and prosthetic material?
Also forms a biofilm (releases dna into the environment then uses host response – fibrinogen etc to form biofilm)
*think - you’remaking a film from several candids*
T/F: The host response to invasive candidiasis involves acute and chronic inflammation as well as granula formation
Nah. Acute and chronic inflmammation yes but Candida is handled by neutrophilic infiltrate (no granuloma)
What happens with Candida infection in the case of neutropenia?
Neutropenia: the hyphae cut right thru tissue and exhibit extensive infiltration
The two clinical forms of candidiasis are __
Mucocutaneous
Invasive
What mucocutaneous candidiasis infection is an AIDS defining illness?
Mucocutaneous candidiasis: Oropharyngeal/esophageal candidiasis (HIV/AIDS defining illness)
What are the risk factors for gettig mucocutaneous candidiasis)
underlying diseases (HIV, diabetes)
corticosteroids,
pregnancy,
age,
antibacterial antibiotics
A common manifestation of Candidiasis in babies is ___
How can you tell that Candida is likely causing the infection?
Diaper dermatitis
Satellite pustules – indication of Candida infection in diaper dermatitis (keeping a dry diaper helps)
__ and __ of the esophagus is characteritic of esophageal candidiasis, seen in HIV patients
Cobble stoning effect and thickening of Candida bugs on non-keratinizing squamous epithelium
What is the Rx for esohageal candidiasis?
Fluconazole/Amphotericin B
How does neonatal oropharyngeal candidiasis develop?
Begins in the neonatal stage
Can be contracted from mom’s birth canal
*Angular kelitis (break down of corners of mouth)*
How do you Rx neonatal oropharyngeal candidiasis?
Rx: topical drugs (topical nystatin or clotrimazole)
___ is an inherited disorder of cellular immunity to Candida with concomitant polyendocrinopathies
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidosis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED): autosomal recessive inheritance
The most common manifestation of invasive candidiasis is ___
How woud you be able to Dx this?
Candidemia
Blood culture on Chrome agar **note that many pts actually have negative cultures**
What is one common manifestation of candidemia that can help you Dx it even if blood cultures are negative? (hint: its all about the eyes)
Candida endophthalmitis
**
Any pt with candidemia needs a dilated eye exam
Choroid is behind the blood vessels; bug adheres to choriocapillaris and causes chorioretinits (Rx systemically)
If not treated or Dx late, you’ll have permanent vision loss due to destruction of fovea
Name 4 other manifestations of invasive candidiasis
(hint: systems involved - heart, liver/spleen, kidney, brain)
Endocarditis (the tricuspid hills_
Hepatosplenic candidiasis (chronic disseminated candidiasis)
Renal candidiasis
Candida meningoencephalitis