Introduction to Medical Mycology I & II

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Questions and Answers

What is the main stain used in stained preparations of fungi?

  • Methylene blue
  • Crystal violet
  • Eosin
  • Lactophenol cotton blue (correct)

Which temperature is primarily required for the growth of yeast fungi?

  • 30-35°C
  • 25-27°C
  • 37°C (correct)
  • 20-25°C

What is one diagnostic use of detecting β-D-Glucan in blood samples?

  • Detect invasive fungal infections (correct)
  • Diagnose bacterial infections
  • Diagnose systemic mycosis
  • Identify superficial fungal infections

Which method is NOT a part of laboratory diagnostic tests for fungal infections?

<p>Skin biopsies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which agent inhibits ergosterol synthesis in fungal cell membranes?

<p>Nystatin (B), Amphotericin B (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical incubation period to obtain positive cultures for fungi?

<p>7-10 days (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following fungi is known to be detected using the Galactomannan test?

<p>Aspergillus spp. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of sample is required for a wet mount preparation in fungal diagnosis?

<p>Skin scrapings (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

KOH preparation

A type of microscopic examination that uses a wet mount and a drop of potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution to dissolve skin cells and highlight fungal elements.

Lactophenol cotton blue staining

A direct microscopic examination method that uses a stain called Lactophenol cotton blue to visualize fungal structures.

Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA)

A type of fungal culture medium that is enriched and selective for the growth of fungi.

Fungal Culture

The process of growing fungal isolates from clinical specimens on culture media.

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Azoles

A type of antifungal medication that inhibits the synthesis of ergosterol, a key component of the fungal cell membrane, leading to cell death.

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Polyenes

A type of antifungal medication that inhibits the synthesis of ergosterol in fungal cell membranes.

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Caspofungin

A type of antifungal medication that inhibits cell wall synthesis in fungi.

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Flucytosine

An antifungal medication that inhibits DNA synthesis in fungi.

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Study Notes

Introduction to Medical Mycology (I & II)

  • Lecture focused on medical mycology, covering general properties, structure, morphology, classification, and human mycosis.
  • Includes a section on laboratory diagnosis of fungal infections.

Content of Lecture

  • General properties and structure of fungi
  • Morphology of fungi
  • Classification of medically important fungi
  • Human mycosis

Laboratory Diagnosis of Fungal Infections

  • Specimens: Skin scrapings, hairs, nails, respiratory secretions, and blood are used according to the infection site.
  • Laboratory Diagnostic Tests:
    • Direct microscopic examination
    • Fungal culture
    • Serological tests
    • Skin tests
    • Molecular methods (e.g., PCR)

1-Direct Microscopic Examination

  • Unstained preparations (wet mount): A drop of 10-30% potassium hydroxide (KOH) is added to skin scrapings, nails, or hairs for examination.
  • Stained preparations: Lactophenol cotton blue (main stain); Silver stain; Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain are used for visualization.

2. Fungal Culture

  • All fungi are aerobic.
  • Temperature requirements: Most fungi grow at 25-27°C; yeasts grow at 37°C; dimorphic fungi grow at both 25°C and 37°C.
  • Incubation time: Positive fungal cultures are typically obtained within 7-10 days; Candida and Aspergillus require 24-72 hours or 4 weeks depending on the fungus.
  • Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA): Used as enriched and selective media to grow fungi. Examples of fungal growth on SDA are Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus.

3. Serological Tests

  • Antigen and antibody detection:
    • Detection of β-D-glucan in blood samples can diagnose invasive fungal infections.
    • Galactomannan detection in blood samples is used to diagnose invasive aspergillosis.
    • Detecting antibodies is used to diagnose systemic mycosis.

Antifungal Therapy

  • Mechanism of action:
    • Caspofungin: Inhibits cell wall synthesis.
    • Polyenes (e.g., nystatin, amphotericin B): Inhibit ergosterol synthesis in the cell membrane.
    • Azoles (e.g., miconazole, fluconazole): Inhibit ergosterol synthesis.
    • Flucytosine: Inhibits DNA synthesis.

Key Questions and Answers

  • Component of fungi cell membrane: Ergosterol
  • Tinea pedis: Fungal infection of the toe web.
  • Antifungal agent inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis: Flucytosine.
  • Yeast fungi example: Candida albicans

References

  • Lippincott Illustrated Microbiology 4th edition, Chapters 20

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