Parasites and Fungi Flashcards
What are macroconidia?
Large Multicellular Spores (e.g. Microsporum sp.)
What are microconidia?
Small Single Celled Spores (e.g. Penicillium sp.)
What is a Sporangium?
the Spore Sac
What are hyphae?
Threadlike structures
why do culture media for the isolation of fungi ad yeast often contain a chemical agent such as chloramphenicol or gentamicin?
these agents inhibit/stop bacterial growth on the media ensuring that only the yeast is able to grow.
What groups/types of people would be considered to be immunocompromised?
Young, elderly and sick persons (esp. those with immune disorders like AIDS or following chemotherapy).
Why are the lungs, the primary site of infection for many fungal diseases?
Due to inhalation of spores that settle in the lungs.
What is a dimorphic fungi?
Can either be yeast-like or have a filamentous form
Can be a mix of both moulds and yeasts
How would you report the presence of yeast cells in a Gram stain?
We report the colour and the shape as well as the size of the cell. This is NOT reported as Negative or Positive as yeast lacks peptidoglycan.
What is the name of the process by which yeast cells divide?
Budding
How is the role of a fungal spore different to a bacterial spore?
Fungal spores are a product of sexual and asexual reproduction in fungi, whereas in bacteria they are mechanism of survival if the bacterial organism is destroyed.
What is the technical name given to microconidia contained inside a spore sac?
Sporangiospores
List 4 general growth conditions that fungi prefer?
- high moisture content
- dark environment
- low pH (acidic)
- High glucose content
List the three fungal types? Give one example (genus + species) from on of these groups (name the group/type that it belongs to).
- Moulds
- Yeasts and yeast-like fungi - e.g. Candida albicans
- Dimorphic Fungi
What is the difference between aerial hyphae and vegetative hyphae?
Aerial hyphae - portion projecting above the surface, usually giving rise to reproductive spores
vegetative mycelium - Nutrient absorbing and water exchanging portion of fungus that penetrates media/tissue
In host parasite relationships, what is meant by the term definitive host?
An animal in which the parasite passes its adult existence and/or undergoes a sexual reproductive phase.
Name the geographical factors that can affect the distribution of parasites?
- Climate
- soil type (sand, lime)
- Coprozoic organisms (beetles, earthworms, slugs)
- surface water
- vegetation
Name the socio-economic factors that can effect the distribution of parasites?
- Housing
- Coprophagic animals (animals that consume faeces)
- Urbanisation
- Economic activities
- Domestication of animals
- Migration, wars, tourism
What is the common name for Enterobius vermicularis?
Pinworm
In the lifecycle for E. vermicularis, in what location do the eggs become infective?
Eggs become infective outside the the body in 4-6 hours
Which protozoan parasite is responsible for causing diarrhoea, mucus secretion and flatulence?
Giardia lamblia
What is the definitive host for Taenia saginata?
Humans
What is the intermediate host for Taenia solium?
Pigs
What is the intermediate host for Taenia saginata?
Cows
List 4 ways that a parasite can harm a host?
- Mechanical injury (hookworm attaches to mucosa which causes damage)
- Obstruction (round worm can obstruct GIT)
- Metabolic products toxic to host (whip worm releases a toxin)
- Host reactions/response esp. if parasite dies. (immune system gets overactive).
List 4 ways that a parasite may gain entry to the host?
- Oral (faecal/oral route)
- Percutaneous (through the skin)
- Inhalation
- Sexual intercourse
- Transplacental
List the scientific names for the three groups of worms (flukes, tapeworms and roundworms)? name a genus and species from one of these three groups and indicate which group it belongs to.
- Flukes - Trematodes
- Tapeworms - Cestodes
- Roundworms - Nematodes
What is a Platyhelminth?
A Flat worm
Name the three types of parasites
- Helminths - worms
- Protozoa - malaria, toxoplasmosis
- Arthropods- louse, ticks, mites
What is the definition of a parasite?
A parasite is an organism living in close association with a larger organism (the host) of a different species to gain nutrition and other benefits to the detriment of the host.
What is an Intermediate host?
Where the parasite spends some time, but not as an adult, and with no sexual reproductive phase.
Name the 3 main species of Schistosomiasis
- Schistosoma haematobium
- Schistosoma japonicum
- Schistosoma mansoni
What are the two less common species of Schistosomiasis?
- Schistosoma mekongi (SE Asia only)
2. Schistosoma intercalatum (stool only)