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Questions and Answers
What does the term 'teonanacatl' translate to in English?
What does the term 'teonanacatl' translate to in English?
What is the mechanism of action of psilocybin in the brain?
What is the mechanism of action of psilocybin in the brain?
What is the primary host plant of the ergot fungus?
What is the primary host plant of the ergot fungus?
Which historical figure is associated with the trial in the 1692 painting?
Which historical figure is associated with the trial in the 1692 painting?
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Which of the following terms is associated with unintentional poisoning from a psychoactive substance?
Which of the following terms is associated with unintentional poisoning from a psychoactive substance?
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Which organism is associated with Scheele’s green?
Which organism is associated with Scheele’s green?
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What is one of the health benefits associated with Fomes fomentarius?
What is one of the health benefits associated with Fomes fomentarius?
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Which type of fungal infection is often benign and most commonly seen in immunocompetent individuals?
Which type of fungal infection is often benign and most commonly seen in immunocompetent individuals?
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What is a major health concern represented by aflatoxin?
What is a major health concern represented by aflatoxin?
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Which fungus is traditionally used to prevent or stop nose bleeds?
Which fungus is traditionally used to prevent or stop nose bleeds?
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Which category of infections are rare and can be lethal if untreated?
Which category of infections are rare and can be lethal if untreated?
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What should individuals be cautious of regarding wild mushrooms?
What should individuals be cautious of regarding wild mushrooms?
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Which of the following conditions is specifically associated with C. albicans?
Which of the following conditions is specifically associated with C. albicans?
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What is the average mortality rate of untreated candidemia?
What is the average mortality rate of untreated candidemia?
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Which fungal species is known to be encapsulated and commonly found in soils and bird droppings?
Which fungal species is known to be encapsulated and commonly found in soils and bird droppings?
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Invasive infections caused by yeasts primarily affect which group of people?
Invasive infections caused by yeasts primarily affect which group of people?
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What is the common environmental source associated with Cryptococcus sp. infections?
What is the common environmental source associated with Cryptococcus sp. infections?
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What is the commonest fungal infection of humans?
What is the commonest fungal infection of humans?
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Which category of fungi is responsible for systemic diseases where pulmonary disease is absent?
Which category of fungi is responsible for systemic diseases where pulmonary disease is absent?
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What treatment is typically used for tinea infections?
What treatment is typically used for tinea infections?
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Candidemia typically requires an average hospital stay of how many weeks?
Candidemia typically requires an average hospital stay of how many weeks?
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What is a significant trait of Candida albicans that allows it to be virulent?
What is a significant trait of Candida albicans that allows it to be virulent?
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What type of primary disease is associated with dimorphic fungi?
What type of primary disease is associated with dimorphic fungi?
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Which of the following is NOT a known environmental origin for dermatophytes?
Which of the following is NOT a known environmental origin for dermatophytes?
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What percentage of the population is estimated to be affected by Tinea unguium?
What percentage of the population is estimated to be affected by Tinea unguium?
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Which of the following fungi is NOT a main pathogen in the systemic disease category?
Which of the following fungi is NOT a main pathogen in the systemic disease category?
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Which of the following conditions is characterized by Candida infections?
Which of the following conditions is characterized by Candida infections?
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What is the treatment duration for oral antifungals when addressing onychomycosis?
What is the treatment duration for oral antifungals when addressing onychomycosis?
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What is often the outcome of tinea infections in terms of recurrence?
What is often the outcome of tinea infections in terms of recurrence?
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What organism is primarily responsible for ringworm infections?
What organism is primarily responsible for ringworm infections?
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Study Notes
Medical Mycology Overview
- Medical mycology is the study of fungi and their impact on human health.
- Fungi can cause both superficial and invasive infections.
- Superficial infections are often benign and common in immunocompetent individuals.
- Invasive infections are rare, easily untreated, and predominantly affect immunocompromised individuals.
- Fungal intoxications, including lethal intoxications, can be caused by various fungal species.
Fungal Intoxications
- Some fungi contain toxins that can cause serious illnesses or death.
- Amanita and Galerina species, found in Quebec, contain amatoxins.
- Amatoxins are heat-stable toxins responsible for most deaths from mushroom poisoning.
- A lethal dose of amatoxins is 0.1mg/kg (up to 15mg per capsule).
- Psilocybin and psilocin are hallucinogens found in "magic mushrooms".
- Consumption can cause visual and auditory hallucinations, anxiety, nausea, and muscle twitching.
- The production, sale and possession of these mushrooms are illegal in Canada.
Scheele's Green Bioremediation
- Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (a fungus) can bioremediate cupric arsenite by converting it into trimethylarsine.
- This is a method of detoxifying the environment containing potentially harmful elements.
Secondary Metabolites
- Fungal secondary metabolites are a diverse group of compounds often exploited for commercial and medical applications.
- Some, like aflatoxin, remain major health or economic concerns.
- Diverse fungal species are used in traditional medicine by First Nation peoples.
- Examples include using Fomes fomentarius to treat arthritis or Amanita muscaria in concoctions for eye drops
Psychoactive Intoxications
- Claviceps purpurea, the ergot fungus, infects rye and produces LSD.
- Lysergic acid and diethylamine combine to form LSD.
- Historical instances exist documenting the implications, including colonial trials in the 17th century (U.S.A.) associated with ergot poisoning in bread causing mass hysteria.
Invasive Infections - Yeasts
- Candida is a commensal organism found in the human GI tract, mouth, and vaginal flora.
- Candida species can cause bloodstream infections, called candidemia, which can be fatal.
- Cryptococcus species are encapsulated yeasts found in soil, eucalyptus trees, and bird droppings.
- Cryptococcus gatti is pathogenic to both animals and humans.
- It was linked to same sex mating, emerging as a pathogen in immunocompetent hosts.
- Symptoms such as pneumonia, meningitis are common.
- Cryptococcal meningitis is a significant health issue, especially for immunocompromised individuals.
Invasive Infections - Molds
- Aspergillus fumigatus, a common mold, causes invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients.
- Symptoms associated with this infection are frequently mistaken as other conditions.
- The infection can have high mortality rates.
- Rhizopus, Absidia and Mucor, are also common fungal infections.
Invasive Infections - Dimorphic Fungi
- Dimorphic fungi (like Histoplasma, Paracoccidioides, Blastomyces) change forms depending on the environment (mycelium vs. yeast).
- They are geographically restricted in range and also cause systemic diseases, affecting internal organs and other bodily systems.
- Blastomyces dermatididis is an example of dimorphic fungi, found in the Great Lakes and Mississippi Valley regions.
- This fungus can affect immunocompetent individuals, too.
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Description
Explore the fascinating field of medical mycology and its significance in human health. This quiz covers topics such as fungal infections, their implications, and toxic species that can lead to serious health issues. Understand the difference between superficial and invasive infections as well as the risks associated with certain fungi.
