Opportunistic pathogens Flashcards
What are the opportunistic fungal pathogens?
- Candida spp
- mucocutaneous and cutaneous infections
- systemic infections in compromised host - Aspergillus spp
- allergic response in airways (asthma)
- systemic infections in compromised hosts - Mucomycetes
- Rhinocerebral disease (diabetics)
- Mucor spp, Rhizopus spp - Cryptococcus neoformans
- cryptococcal meningitis (AIDS) - Pneumocystis jirovecii
- pneumocystis pneumonia (AIDS)
Predisposing factors for opportunistic mycoses associated with immunosuppression? (4)
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Other predisposing factors for opportunistic mycoses? (5,6)
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What are opportunistic candida species?
- C. albicans
- C. parapsilosis
- C. tropicalis
- C. krusei
- C. Galabrata
What is the most common Candida species?
C. albicans
-forms hyphae, pseudohyphae and germ tubes
What is the second most common Candida species?
C. galabrata
-does not form hyphae, pseduohyphae or germ tubes
What is a growing concern with opportunistic/nosocomial Candida species (galabrata and krusei)?
anti fungal resistance
Where is C. albicans found?
- normal flora:
- oral cavity
- lower GI tract
- female genital tract
Most C. albicans infections are what?
- endogenous
- person to person transmission from healthcare workers skin has been documented in ICUs
When C. albicans is in normal flora, how does it present?
as a yeast
What is seen with invasive disease of C. albicans?
septated hyphae and pseudohyphae
What is a diagnostic test for C. albicans?
- germ tube test (hyphae like growth)
- when cultured in serum
- diagnostic test for this strain
What is the most common cause of fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals?
Candida
4th most common blood culture isolated in hospitals?
Candida
What is responsible for 70-80% of cases of invasive candidiasis?
- C. albicans
- C. galabrata
What makes a person high risk for Candida infection? (10)
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What must happen for someone to get hospital acquired Candidiasis?
- must be at risk
- must be exposed
What types of infections can be classified as Candidiasis?
- Cutaneous/mucocutaneous infection
- systemic infection- opportunistic pathogen, compromised host
- chronic mucocutaneous- endocrine disorders and defects in T cell immunity
Where do cutaneous/mucocutaneous infections occur? who do they effect?
- skin and nails
- oropharyngeal (trush)
- vulvovaginal (yeast infection)
- can occur in both immunocompromised and non compromised hosts
Types of systemic infections?
- UTI
- Pneumonia
- Endocarditis
- Pericarditis
- CNS infection
- Ocular infection
- Bone and joint infection
- Abdominal infection
- Hematogenous infection
Common sites of dissemination of systemic disease?
- kidney
- brain
- eye
- heart
Why are systemic infections often fatal?
because patients have underlying co-morbidities
What does anti-fungal therapy select for in Candida?
- selects for resistant strains of Candida
- C. krusei, C. glabrata
What are AIDS defining illnesses associated with Candida?
- Oral thrush
- esophageal candidiasis
How many HIV patients develop oropharyngeal candidiasis?
75%
How many AIDS patients develop esophageal candidiasis?
20-40%
How many HIV women develop vulvo vaginal candidiasis?
30-40%
What is the most common human pathogen?
- Aspergillus fumigateurs
- other species include A. flavus, A. terreus, A. niger
Where and in what form is Aspergillus species found?
- ubiquitous mold in soil and on plants and decaying vegetation
- in a hospital setting- air, shower heads, water, storage tanks, potted plants
What is sick building syndrome?
- associated with aspergillus
- conidia (spores) in the air trigger an allergic response or asthma attack
In aspergillus, where do columns of conidia form?
on top of a conidiophore