Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary anatomical site that dermatophytes invade?
What is the primary anatomical site that dermatophytes invade?
Dermatophytes primarily invade the epidermis, hair, and nails, but not the dermis.
Which fungal infections are particularly concerning for immunocompromised patients?
Which fungal infections are particularly concerning for immunocompromised patients?
Fungal infections such as candidiasis and aspergillosis are particularly concerning for immunocompromised patients.
What are the two parts of specimens collected for fungal infection examination?
What are the two parts of specimens collected for fungal infection examination?
The two parts are one for microscopy and the other for culture.
What is the role of KOH in the examination of fungal specimens?
What is the role of KOH in the examination of fungal specimens?
Name one class of antifungal agents that inhibit cell wall synthesis and provide an example.
Name one class of antifungal agents that inhibit cell wall synthesis and provide an example.
Why is the incubation of cultures at both 25°C and 37°C important?
Why is the incubation of cultures at both 25°C and 37°C important?
What is the significance of Candida in the human microbiome?
What is the significance of Candida in the human microbiome?
What are some complications that can arise after antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy?
What are some complications that can arise after antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy?
What is mycology and where are most fungi commonly found?
What is mycology and where are most fungi commonly found?
Describe the composition of fungal cell walls and membranes.
Describe the composition of fungal cell walls and membranes.
What are the differences between vegetative and aerial hyphae?
What are the differences between vegetative and aerial hyphae?
What are sporangiospores and where do they develop?
What are sporangiospores and where do they develop?
Explain the term mycosis and its implications.
Explain the term mycosis and its implications.
What is the role of melanin production in fungi?
What is the role of melanin production in fungi?
Define mycotoxicosis and provide an example.
Define mycotoxicosis and provide an example.
What are the two phases of fungi and their growth conditions?
What are the two phases of fungi and their growth conditions?
What is the primary opportunistic pathogen responsible for human infections as outlined?
What is the primary opportunistic pathogen responsible for human infections as outlined?
Describe the appearance of oral thrush.
Describe the appearance of oral thrush.
What are the typical locations for skin infections caused by Aspergillus?
What are the typical locations for skin infections caused by Aspergillus?
How does Aspergillus fumigatus cause Aspergilloma in patients?
How does Aspergillus fumigatus cause Aspergilloma in patients?
What specimen type is used for identifying infections caused by Candida albicans?
What specimen type is used for identifying infections caused by Candida albicans?
What is one key characteristic feature identified in the culture of Aspergillus fumigatus?
What is one key characteristic feature identified in the culture of Aspergillus fumigatus?
What is the significance of germ tube formation in the identification of Candida albicans?
What is the significance of germ tube formation in the identification of Candida albicans?
In the clinical case presented, what key risk factor does the patient have that may contribute to his current health condition?
In the clinical case presented, what key risk factor does the patient have that may contribute to his current health condition?
What are the two reproductive methods of yeast-like fungi?
What are the two reproductive methods of yeast-like fungi?
Describe the significance of thermotolerance in fungi.
Describe the significance of thermotolerance in fungi.
What cultural method allows for the identification of Aspergillus species from a specimen?
What cultural method allows for the identification of Aspergillus species from a specimen?
What type of spores are formed by filamentous fungi and what is their origin?
What type of spores are formed by filamentous fungi and what is their origin?
What role does a capsule play in fungal pathogenesis?
What role does a capsule play in fungal pathogenesis?
What are the common sites for superficial Aspergillosis lesions in humans?
What are the common sites for superficial Aspergillosis lesions in humans?
What is the typical presentation of an Aspergilloma in a patient?
What is the typical presentation of an Aspergilloma in a patient?
Explain the difference between mycotoxicosis and mycetismus.
Explain the difference between mycotoxicosis and mycetismus.
How does mucosal candidiasis typically manifest in patients?
How does mucosal candidiasis typically manifest in patients?
What is the role of phospholipases in fungal infections?
What is the role of phospholipases in fungal infections?
Describe the impact of biofilm formation by fungi on human health.
Describe the impact of biofilm formation by fungi on human health.
Explain the method used to observe Cryptococcus in CSF samples.
Explain the method used to observe Cryptococcus in CSF samples.
In the context of invasive Aspergillosis, what does hematogenous spread imply?
In the context of invasive Aspergillosis, what does hematogenous spread imply?
What environmental factor contributes to hypersensitivity reactions to fungal spores?
What environmental factor contributes to hypersensitivity reactions to fungal spores?
Identify one significant factor in the clinical case that increases the patient's risk for fungal infection.
Identify one significant factor in the clinical case that increases the patient's risk for fungal infection.
What distinguishes the microscopic appearance of Candida albicans from other fungi?
What distinguishes the microscopic appearance of Candida albicans from other fungi?
What are two mechanisms by which antifungal drugs can inhibit yeast cell function?
What are two mechanisms by which antifungal drugs can inhibit yeast cell function?
Identify two fungal infections that primarily affect immunocompromised patients.
Identify two fungal infections that primarily affect immunocompromised patients.
What role does Sabouraud dextrose agar play in fungal culture and identification?
What role does Sabouraud dextrose agar play in fungal culture and identification?
What type of specimen preparation is recommended for fungal infection examination?
What type of specimen preparation is recommended for fungal infection examination?
How does the presence of fungal spores in the environment contribute to human infections?
How does the presence of fungal spores in the environment contribute to human infections?
Why is the use of KOH important in preparing specimens for fungal microscopy?
Why is the use of KOH important in preparing specimens for fungal microscopy?
Explain why dimorphic fungi are particularly important in clinical mycology.
Explain why dimorphic fungi are particularly important in clinical mycology.
What is the impact of corticosteroid therapy on fungal infections?
What is the impact of corticosteroid therapy on fungal infections?
Flashcards
Superficial Mycoses
Superficial Mycoses
Fungal infections that affect the epidermis, hair and nails, but NOT the dermis. They are caused by dermatophytes.
Cutaneous Mycoses
Cutaneous Mycoses
Fungal infections involving deeper tissues, including the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, muscle, and fascia. They are often caused by fungi in the environment, like mycetoma.
Opportunistic Mycoses
Opportunistic Mycoses
Fungal infections caused by organisms like Candida (normal flora) or Aspergillus (from the environment). They occur mainly in immunocompromised individuals.
Systemic Mycoses
Systemic Mycoses
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Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis
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Candidiasis
Candidiasis
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Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis
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SDA Culture Technique
SDA Culture Technique
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What is Mycology?
What is Mycology?
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What's unique about fungal cells?
What's unique about fungal cells?
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What is the composition of the fungal cell wall?
What is the composition of the fungal cell wall?
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How do fungi acquire energy?
How do fungi acquire energy?
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What are yeast and what are their characteristics?
What are yeast and what are their characteristics?
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What are filamentous fungi and what are their characteristics?
What are filamentous fungi and what are their characteristics?
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What are dimorphic fungi and why are they important?
What are dimorphic fungi and why are they important?
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How do fungi cause disease?
How do fungi cause disease?
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Aspergillus fumigatus
Aspergillus fumigatus
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Superficial Aspergillosis
Superficial Aspergillosis
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Invasive Aspergillosis
Invasive Aspergillosis
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Superficial Aspergillosis: Sinusitis, Otitis, and Ocular Infection
Superficial Aspergillosis: Sinusitis, Otitis, and Ocular Infection
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Superficial Aspergillosis: Bronchial Asthma
Superficial Aspergillosis: Bronchial Asthma
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Superficial Aspergillosis: Cutaneous Infection
Superficial Aspergillosis: Cutaneous Infection
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Superficial Aspergillosis: Nail Infection
Superficial Aspergillosis: Nail Infection
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Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) Culture
Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) Culture
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What is Aspergillus fumigatus?
What is Aspergillus fumigatus?
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What is Superficial Aspergillosis?
What is Superficial Aspergillosis?
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What is Invasive Aspergillosis?
What is Invasive Aspergillosis?
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What is Cryptococcosis?
What is Cryptococcosis?
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How is Cryptococcus neoformans identified?
How is Cryptococcus neoformans identified?
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What is Candidiasis?
What is Candidiasis?
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How is Candida albicans, the cause of Candidiasis, identified?
How is Candida albicans, the cause of Candidiasis, identified?
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How is Invasive Aspergillosis diagnosed?
How is Invasive Aspergillosis diagnosed?
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Study Notes
Microbiology - General Mycology
- Mycology is the study of fungi
- Fungi are found in soil and water
- Fungi are eukaryotic organisms with rigid cell walls made of chitin, glucans, mannans, and complex polysaccharides.
- Their cell membranes contain ergosterol
- Fungi can be obligate aerobes or facultative anaerobes
- They grow in a wide range of temperatures and pH
- Fungi can be classified as yeasts, yeast-like fungi, filamentous fungi, or dimorphic fungi
Yeast and Yeast-Like Fungi
- Unicellular, round to oval fungi
- Reproduce by budding or fission
- Examples include Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida
- Buds fail to detach in Candida giving a pseudohyphae
Filamentous Fungi (Hyphae)
- Tubular, branched hyphae
- Septated or aseptated
- Form a mycelium when hyphae branch
- Vegetative hyphae anchor the colony and absorb nutrients
- Aerial hyphae project above the reproductive structure
- Examples include Aspergillus
Dimorphic Fungi
- Exist either as yeast or filamentous form
- Parasitic in host tissue
- Saprophytic in soil
- Grow in enriched or ordinary media
Reproduction of Fungi
- Asexual: Offspring arises from one single parent cell, only by mitosis
- Sporangiospores: Endogenous spores in sporangium
- Conidiospores: Exogenous spores, arthrospores
- Sexual: Offspring arise by Meiosis
- Ascospores= Spores formed within a sac (ascus)
- Basidiospores = Spores formed on a basidium
Pathogenesis of Fungi
- Toxin production: Physiological alteration; fungi increase metabolic activity to invade tissue
- Capsule: Protective barrier
- Enzyme production: Phospholipases
- Thermotolerance
- Melanin production: Protect fungi from phagocytosis, temperature, and UV extremes
- Biofilm formation
- Hypersensitivity: Due to environmental exposure to fungal spores
- Infection (Mycosis) due to fungal invasion of tissue and organs
- Toxicosis: Two types: mycotoxicosis and mycetismus
- Mycotoxicosis: Accidental consumption of food contaminated by toxins (e.g., aflatoxicosis, Aspergillus flavus, liver cancer).
- Mycetismus: Ingesting mushrooms with preformed toxins
Harmful Effects of Fungi
- Plant diseases
- Food spoilage; mycotoxins
- Beneficial effects: antibiotics, health benefits, pigments, and enzymes
Diseases Caused by Fungi (Human Mycosis)
- Superficial mycoses: Infection limited to outermost layers (e.g., skin & hair).
- Cutaneous mycoses: Infection involving epidermis, hair and nails (e.g., dermatophytes).
- Subcutaneous mycoses: Infection in subcutaneous tissue, dermis, muscles, and fascia.
- Opportunistic mycoses: Infections in immunocompromised patients (e.g., diabetics, cancer patients, patients on immunosuppressive treatments).
- Systemic mycoses: Infection of multiple organs, primarily lung, due to local mycosis (e.g., Histoplasmosis).
Diagnosis of Fungal Diseases
- Specimens - parts differ according to site infection.
- Examination types: microscopy (KOH, Lactophenol blue, Gram stain) or culture
- Direct Microscopy: KOH 10-20%, gentle heating, lectophenol cotton blue, used for cellular material, and Indian Ink
- Histopathology: Tissue biopsy for identification
- Culture: Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) + chloramphenicol + cycloheximide, used to prevent bacterial contamination. Incubated at 25°C and 37°C to reveal dimorphism for at least 3 weeks.
Antifungal Agents
- Fungi are eukaryotic cells
- Most antifungal agents are toxic to host cells.
- Mechanism of action:
- Cell wall synthesis inhibition (e.g., echinocandins, caspofungin)
- Ergosterol synthesis inhibition (e.g., azoles, fluconazole, voriconazole)
- Cytoplasmic membrane function alteration (e.g., polyenes, amphotericin B)
- Nucleic acid synthesis inhibition (e.g., flucytosine)
Opportunistic Mycoses
- Caused by commensal and saprophytic fungi in immunocompromised individuals
- Examples: Cryptococcosis, Candidiasis, Aspergillosis
Clinical Cases Examples
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Specific examples given are for Cryptococcosis, Candidiasis, & Aspergillosis, showing etiology, clinical presentations, and diagnosis of fungal diseases, including Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus (A. fumigatus).
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Case example: A 49-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis, on corticosteroids, presented with fever, fatigue, chest pain, cough and hemoptysis . Culture revealed green colonies with dichotomously branched hyphae.
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