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Questions and Answers
What is a primary tissue or organ source for Candidiasis?
What is a primary tissue or organ source for Candidiasis?
Which fungus is primarily responsible for Aspergillosis?
Which fungus is primarily responsible for Aspergillosis?
What diagnostic method is often used for fungal infections?
What diagnostic method is often used for fungal infections?
Which statement accurately describes the treatment challenges of fungal infections?
Which statement accurately describes the treatment challenges of fungal infections?
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What is the mechanism of action for most antifungal drugs?
What is the mechanism of action for most antifungal drugs?
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Which of the following is NOT a method for enhancing the diagnosis of fungal infections?
Which of the following is NOT a method for enhancing the diagnosis of fungal infections?
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What environmental source is often associated with Cryptococcosis?
What environmental source is often associated with Cryptococcosis?
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Which statement about antifungal treatments is accurate?
Which statement about antifungal treatments is accurate?
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What does the India ink stain of CSF primarily identify in the diagnosis of cryptococcosis?
What does the India ink stain of CSF primarily identify in the diagnosis of cryptococcosis?
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Which of the following is NOT classified as an ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitor?
Which of the following is NOT classified as an ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitor?
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Which class of antifungal drugs is represented by amphotericin B?
Which class of antifungal drugs is represented by amphotericin B?
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What is the primary action mechanism of 5-flucytosine as an antifungal?
What is the primary action mechanism of 5-flucytosine as an antifungal?
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Which of the following problems is associated with the effectiveness of antifungal drugs?
Which of the following problems is associated with the effectiveness of antifungal drugs?
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Which group of antifungal drugs includes caspofungin?
Which group of antifungal drugs includes caspofungin?
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What common mechanism do most antifungal drugs target?
What common mechanism do most antifungal drugs target?
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What is a characteristic of antifungal treatment challenges?
What is a characteristic of antifungal treatment challenges?
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What is a primary characteristic of invasive fungal infections (IFIs)?
What is a primary characteristic of invasive fungal infections (IFIs)?
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Which organism is noted for its high mortality rate among invasive fungal infections?
Which organism is noted for its high mortality rate among invasive fungal infections?
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What mechanism of action do most antifungal agents rely on?
What mechanism of action do most antifungal agents rely on?
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Which statement about antifungal drug categories is most accurate?
Which statement about antifungal drug categories is most accurate?
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What challenge is commonly faced in the treatment of invasive fungal infections?
What challenge is commonly faced in the treatment of invasive fungal infections?
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Which fungal infection is specifically noted for its occurrence in sub-Saharan Africa?
Which fungal infection is specifically noted for its occurrence in sub-Saharan Africa?
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What testing method is commonly used for diagnosing fungal infections?
What testing method is commonly used for diagnosing fungal infections?
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Which of the following is a life-threatening fungal infection associated with solid-organ transplantation (SOT)?
Which of the following is a life-threatening fungal infection associated with solid-organ transplantation (SOT)?
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Study Notes
Course Information
- Course name: PHAR2921
- Topic: Medically Important Fungi and Protists
- Instructor: Andrew Holmes
- Department: School of Life & Environmental Sciences
- Microbiology
- Contact Email: [email protected]
Lecture Outline
- Eukaryote microbes and fungi
- Defining characteristics of fungi
- Importance of fungi to animal health
- Food spoilage fungi and mycotoxins
- Allergenic fungi and hypersensitivity
- Commensal and pathogenic fungi
- Diagnosing and treating fungal infections
Learning Outcomes
- Distinguish fungi from other eukaryotic microbes
- Describe basic fungal biology, reproduction, and classification
- Explain why fungal infections are difficult to treat
- Describe major categories of fungal impact on human health (Allergen, Toxins, Infection)
- Distinguish between superficial and invasive fungal infections
- Explain the targets of current antifungal drugs
- Identify the names and limitations of current antifungal drugs
Microbes: Phylogeny and Medically Important Groups
- Eukaryotic microbes (including fungi, algae, and protozoa)
- Prokaryotic microbes (Bacteria and Archaea)
- Evolutionary relationships among different groups
Features That Are Dichotomous/Divergent
- Comparing the structural and functional differences between Bacteria, Archaea and Eucarya (including presence or absence of cellular components, features and differences in metabolic processes)
What Are Protists?
- Categorizing protists: algae (photosynthetic protists) and protozoa (chemoorganotrophic protists)
- Key examples: Amoeba, Flagellates, Parasitic Protists, Euglena
Trypanosomes
- Diverse diseases (e.g., sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis)
- Complex life cycles involving vectors
- Antigenic variation (impacting vaccine development)
- Limited treatment options focused on parasite metabolism
Apicomplexans
- Intracellular or intercellular parasites
- Apicomplex structures, Apical complex
- Unique plastid (apicoplast)
- Role in infection, complex life cycles and multiple hosts
What Are Fungi?
- Describing fungi as eukaryotic organisms
- Defining fungal nutrition as saprophytic heterotrophic (absorbing nutrients)
- Fungal characteristic of not having chlorophyll
- Aerobic/anaerobic nature of some fungi
- Compositions of cell walls: chitin, beta-glucans, and glycoproteins
- Reproduction mechanisms (sexual and asexual)
- Overview of morphological characteristics: single-celled (yeast) and filamentous
Fungal Nutrition
- Saprophytic or absorptive nutrition, using soluble nutrients
- Importance of host associations (mutualistic or parasitic relationships)
Fungal Morphologies
- Fungal structures
- Macroscopic colonies
- Yeast and molds
Fungi Can Have A Large "Foraging Range"
- Long distance nutrient uptake
- Role of cell size and inter-cellular transport
- Key role of cell wall rigidity
Eukaryal Phylogeny
- Position of fungi in the eukaryotic tree of life
Concept Check Questions
- Can fungi perform photosynthesis?
- Distinguishing between fungal and bacterial cell walls
- Identifying organisms with cell biology processes similar to humans (fungi, protists, or bacteria)
- Definitions of Mycosis versus Myctoxicosis
- Identifying why mycoses classification (invasive, subcutaneous or cutaneous) is useful
Importance of Fungi to Animal Health
- Overview of fungal genera causing problems.
Allergenic Fungi and Hypersensitivity (LO4)
- Main fungal genera causing problems
- Fungal growth under damp conditions
- Allergenic spores and volatiles
- Role of Mould and the Sick Building Syndrome
Food Spoilage Fungi and Mycotoxins (LO4)
- Fungi growth on and damaging foods
- Fungi producing mycotoxins as a problem
- Role and effects of mycotoxins
Acute Toxin Phenomena Associated With Mycotoxins (LO4)
- Toxic effects of mycotoxins
- Various acute symptoms (e.g., hepatic necrosis, hemorrhagic lung problems)
- Major mycotoxins and their associated symptoms
Mycotoxicoses (LO4)
- Acute versus chronic effects of mycotoxins
- Myctotoxic diseases: severity in relation to toxin level
Commensal and Pathogenic Fungi (LO4)
- Invasive mycoses (the "Big Three") - Candidiasis, Aspergillosis, Cryptococcosis
- Superficial, cutaneous, and subcutaneous mycoses
Concept Check -
- Defining endogenous infections; Identifying which fungi are least likely to cause endogenous infections
- Identifying the fungi most associated with a wider range of disease presentations; explanation for this
Superficial Mycoses (LO5)
- Limited to the outer surface of hair or skin
- Infections of hair shafts known as piedras
- Prevention strategies
- Economic impact and treatment regime.
Superficial Infections (LO5)
- Diseases like Seborrheic dermatitis, Pityriasis versicolor, Piedra and Malasezzia folliculitis
- Common fungal causes
- Treatment methods
Cutaneous Mycoses (LO5)
- Diseases like Tinea corporis, Tinea capitis, Tinea pedis, Tinea cruris
- Common fungal causes
- Clinical aspects of diseases
Clinical Aspects of Cutaneous Mycoses (LO5)
- Blister-like lesions or scaly rings - diagnosis
- Treatment methods through antifungal agents
- Transmission and adaptations
Subcutaneous Mycoses (LO5)
- Deep tissue infections
- Causes (soil fungi)
- Problems associated with diagnosis and treatment
Fungal Disease Classification, Tissues and Fungi Responsible
- Summary of fungal diseases, involved tissues and organisms responsible
Summary of Superficial, Cutaneous, and Subcutaneous Mycoses
- Summary table for superficial, cutaneous and subcutaneous mycoses,
- Involved tissues for each type of mycosis, source, and fungi responsible
- Categorization scheme
Invasive Fungal Infections (LO5)
- Overview of fungi causing invasive infections
- "Big Three" of global importance (Aspergillus, Candida, Cryptococcus)
- Factors influencing infection severity
IFIs Cause Big Problems in Sick People
- Various illnesses associated with high mortality rates from IFIs.
Aspergillus - Aspergillosis (LO5)
- Identification of main Aspergillus species
- Method of acquiring infection
- Fungal structures and characteristics
Aspergillus - Aspergillosis (LO5)
- Aspergillosis as an opportunistic infection
- Seriousness linked to host immunocompromise
- Aspergilloma, invasive pulmonary and disseminated aspergillosis, crossing blood-brain barrier as different forms of infection.
IFIs: Candidiasis (LO5)
- Candida albicans and other species causing candidiasis
- Typical fungal formations and infection locations
- Commensality of many Candida species
- Infection transmission
Candidiasis takes many forms (LO5)
- Overview of different forms of candidiasis (e.g., vaginal, oral, skin, disseminated)
Cryptococcosis (LO5)
- Species causing cryptococcosis
- Fungal, characteristics, virulence factors
- Clinical forms including Pneumonia and Meningitis
Process of Cryptococcal Infection (LO5)
- Overview of acquisition, infection location, dissemination, and clinical implications
Concept Check - (LO5, LO6)
- Defining endogenous infections
- Identifying the least likely fungi to cause endogenous infections
- Determining the most associated fungi with a wide range of disease presentations
Diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections (LO5)
- Importance of early and proper diagnosis and treatment
- Fungal resistance to antibiotics and antivirals
- Methods including cultures and microscopy, immunology, and molecular technologies
Diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections (LO6)
- Overview of methods for diagnosis (culture, microscopy) and molecular/immunological testing, including Antigen dip-sticks and PCR.
- Diagnosis of Cryptococcal infection, including the India ink method.
Treatment with Antifungal Drugs (LO6)
- Grouping of current antifungal drugs by categories
- Targets of each category of antifungal drugs (e.g., nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors, ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors, polyenes, and echinocandins)
Treatment: Most Antifungals target cell wall or membrane
- Antifungal mechanisms affecting cell walls and membranes
- Role of target molecules (e.g. squalene, ergosterol, the beta glucan synthesis stages.)
Problems with Antifungal Drugs (LO6)
- Common difficulties associated with antifungal drugs
- Limited spectrum, toxicity, poor bioavailability, and cost
Concept Check - (LO6)
- Identifying the different antifungal drug categories.
- Importance of understanding the target cells and their mechanisms for development of new drugs.
- Identifying the most effective, and cytotoxic mechanisms of attack and their target areas.
Summary of Medically Important Fungi (LO5)
- Variety of clinical issues from hypersensitivity to severe infections
- Severity generally increased in immunocompromised hosts
- Treatment difficulties: few good targets, and limited treatments available
- Superficial and cutaneous infections - treatment and risk of toxicity
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Description
This quiz on PHAR2921 covers medically important fungi and protists, focusing on their characteristics, impacts on health, and treatment of infections. Students will be assessed on their understanding of fungal biology, classification, and the challenges involved in treating fungal infections.
