Mycoviro Quiz 1: Mcconkey Agar

Which stain is most commonly used in the direct examination of fungi?

Which statement about KOH stain is NOT true?

Which component of Lactophenol Cotton serves as a preservative?

What is the main purpose of India Ink in laboratory examinations?

Which agar type includes antibiotics like Chloramphenicol?

What is the antifungal drug that inhibits fungal cell wall synthesis?

What is the appropriate dilution ratio for blood specimens added to broth during collection?

Which of the following agars is used for observing the conversion of Blastomyces dermatidis from mold to yeast?

Which of the following antifungal drugs is NOT classified as an antibiotic?

Which of the following substances cannot be found in the fungal cell wall?

Which antifungal drug is known to disrupt the mitotic spindle?

Which method is NOT typically used to examine malignant cells in secretions?

Which adverse effect is NOT associated with Azole antifungal drugs?

Which of the following substances can be stored at room temperature, except?

What is an adverse effect of Amphotericin-B?

Which of the following is an example of an Echinocandin antifungal?

Fungal Staining Techniques

Common Stains for Fungi:
- 10% KOH is the most frequently used stain for direct examination.
- Calcofluor White is another significant stain utilized.
- India Ink is used for negative staining to visualize Cryptococcus neoformans.
Considerations for KOH Stain:
- It dissolves granulocytes and clears fungal cell walls.
- KOH is sensitive to alkali due to the presence of glucans.

Agar Types for Fungal Culture

Types of Agar:
- Mycosel Agar incorporates antibiotics like Chloramphenicol.
- Potato Flake Agar is used for observing dimorphic fungi.
- Czapek Agar is effective for recovering Aspergillus species.

Body Fluid Analysis

Blood Specimen Collection:
- Aseptic collection of at least 5ml blood is recommended.
- The ideal dilution for blood added to broth is 1:10 to 1:20.
CSF Storage Conditions:
- CSF has specific storage guidelines; it cannot be stored at room temperature.

Fungal Cell Wall Components

Key Components in Fungal Cell Wall:
- Mycoprotein, chitin, ergosterol, and peptidoglycan are common constituents.
- Lactophenol Cotton Blue contains lactic acid as a preservative, phenol as fungicidal, and cotton blue as a dye.

Antifungal Medications

Caspofungin:
- An antifungal drug inhibiting fungal cell wall synthesis.
Flucytosine:
- Inhibits nucleic acid synthesis in fungi.
Fluconazole:
- Only antifungal drug that penetrates the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Azole Class:
- Inhibits cytochrome P450, preventing ergosterol production and disrupting fungal mitosis.

Adverse Effects of Antifungals

Adverse Effects of Azole Drugs:
- Potential side effects include hepatotoxicity, impotence, visual and auditory disturbances.
Adverse Effects of Amphotericin-B:
- Notable side effects include nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, but does not typically cause hepatotoxicity.

Summary of Concepts

Importance of specific staining techniques and agar types in mycology.
Critical methods for collecting and analyzing body fluids for fungal infections.
Key antifungal drugs and understanding their mechanisms along with side effects for patient management.

Test your knowledge on Mycoviro and Mcconkey agar in this quiz. Explore questions regarding common stains used in fungal examination and the unique properties of specific agar types. Perfect for students in microbiology or those studying fungal infections.