Superficial (cutaneous) Fungal infections Flashcards
Which fungal genus causes Tinea Versicolor?
Malassezia
What fungal infections cause other Tinea infections (e.g. barbis, capitis, unguium, cruris, etc.) ?
Dermatophytees
What are dermatophytes attracted to?
Keratin
How are dermatophytes transmitted?
Person-to-person via fomites
Tx for dermatophytes or Tinea versicolor?
Topical antifungal treatment. Severe, refractory infections or Tinea capitis / unguium require oral antifungal therapy (e.g. terbinafine)
What causes “rose handler’s disease”? (i.e. a disease of gardners)
Sporotrichosis (Sporothrix schenchii).
What tissues does Sporotrichosis infect?
Subcutaneous tissue, following trauma (e.g. a cut) and innoculation of conidia.
What are some topical anti-fungals (for dermatophytes)?
azoles, selenium sulfide, allylamines
Where does Sporothrix germinate?
In lymph nodes.
What are immunocompromised patients at risk for with Sporotrichosis?
Dissemination.
What are COPD patients at risk for with Sporotrichosis?
Spread to lung parenchyma
What are middle-aged male alcoholic patients at risk for with Sporotrichosis?
Osteoarthritic symptoms of Sporotrichosis.
Tx for Sporotrichosis?
Itraconazole
What form is Sporothrix?
Sporothrix is a thermally dymorphic fungus (mold at RT, yeast in body).
Diagnosis of Sporotrichosis?
- Clinical presentation (papule at inoculation site, followed by nodule, ulceration and spread along lymphatic track).
- Culture (mold form).
- Biopsy (yeast form).
