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Questions and Answers
What is the most virulent systemic fungus among the options provided?
What is the most virulent systemic fungus among the options provided?
- Blastomyces dermatitidis
- Cryptococcus neoformans
- Coccidioides immitis (correct)
- Histoplasma capsulatum
Which systemic fungal infection is characterized by nodules and cavitary lung disease?
Which systemic fungal infection is characterized by nodules and cavitary lung disease?
- Cryptococcosis
- Blastomycosis
- Coccidioidomycosis (correct)
- Histoplasmosis
In which phase does Blastomyces dermatitidis show single, circular to pyriform conidia produced on short conidiophores?
In which phase does Blastomyces dermatitidis show single, circular to pyriform conidia produced on short conidiophores?
- Spherule phase
- Endospore phase
- Mold phase (correct)
- Yeast phase
Which systemic fungal infection is associated with Filipinos, blacks, males, and pregnant women?
Which systemic fungal infection is associated with Filipinos, blacks, males, and pregnant women?
What is the diagnostic method that demonstrates characteristic broad-based budding yeast for Blastomyces dermatitidis?
What is the diagnostic method that demonstrates characteristic broad-based budding yeast for Blastomyces dermatitidis?
Which systemic fungal infection is known to require inhalation of infective arthroconidia for transmission?
Which systemic fungal infection is known to require inhalation of infective arthroconidia for transmission?
Which of the following is a characteristic feature of Penicillium marneffei mold phase?
Which of the following is a characteristic feature of Penicillium marneffei mold phase?
What is a common result of disseminated Penicillium marneffei infection?
What is a common result of disseminated Penicillium marneffei infection?
How is Penicillium marneffei transmitted to humans?
How is Penicillium marneffei transmitted to humans?
Which symptom is NOT typically associated with primary Penicillium marneffei infection?
Which symptom is NOT typically associated with primary Penicillium marneffei infection?
What is the most effective method for preventing systemic fungal infections like Penicillium marneffei?
What is the most effective method for preventing systemic fungal infections like Penicillium marneffei?
Which diagnostic method is commonly used to identify systemic fungal infections like Penicillium marneffei?
Which diagnostic method is commonly used to identify systemic fungal infections like Penicillium marneffei?
What is the most common mode of transmission for Blastomyces dermatitidis?
What is the most common mode of transmission for Blastomyces dermatitidis?
What are the typical organs or body systems affected by blastomycosis caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis?
What are the typical organs or body systems affected by blastomycosis caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis?
Which of the following is a common feature of systemic mycoses caused by dimorphic fungi?
Which of the following is a common feature of systemic mycoses caused by dimorphic fungi?
What is the primary method for the identification of dimorphic fungi causing systemic mycoses?
What is the primary method for the identification of dimorphic fungi causing systemic mycoses?
Which of the following is NOT a type of dimorphic fungi associated with systemic mycoses?
Which of the following is NOT a type of dimorphic fungi associated with systemic mycoses?
What are the preferred methods of treatment for systemic fungal infections caused by dimorphic fungi?
What are the preferred methods of treatment for systemic fungal infections caused by dimorphic fungi?
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Study Notes
Systemic Mycoses
- Systemic mycoses are fungal infections that may involve any internal organs
- Mostly asymptomatic, dimorphism is common, and slow-growing organisms
- Identified by growth characteristics, colonial morphology, microscopic characteristics of conidia and hyphae, cultivation, and serologic testing
Blastomyces dermatitidis
- Causes blastomycosis
- Found in soil or wood in Canada, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio River Valleys, Mexico, and Southern USA
- Affects males, especially those in outdoor occupations/activities
- Mode of transmission: inhalation of conidia/ hyphae
- Begins as a respiratory infection, may cause chronic infection in lungs, bones, skin, and soft tissue
- Lesions and ulcerations occur
Yeast Phase of Blastomyces dermatitidis
- Thick-walled oval to round, single-budding, yeastlike cells
- KOH preparation of exudates shows a large budding yeast cell with a distinct broad base between the cells
- Auramine-rhodamine stain of specimen from bone lesion demonstrates characteristic broad-based budding yeast
Mold Phase of Blastomyces dermatitidis
- Single, circular to pyriform conidia produced on short conidiophores that resemble lollipops
- Glabrous or waxy-appearing, off-white to white
- Spicules —> center
- Mold-to-yeast conversion usually requires 4-5 days
- Mycelial form shows oval conidia borne laterally on branching hyphae
Coccidioides immitis
- Causes coccidioidomycosis, also known as "Desert Fever" or "Valley Fever"
- Affects Filipinos and blacks, especially males and pregnant women
- Mode of transmission: inhalation of infective arthroconidia
- Can cause asymptomatic, self-limited infections or allergic manifestations, and nodules and cavitary lung disease
Yeast Phase of Coccidioides immitis
- Spherules contain endospores
- External wall of the spherule does not stain with silver stain, whereas internal endospores do
Mold Phase of Coccidioides immitis
- Shows septate hyphae and pyriform conidia singly borne
Penicillium marneffei
- Causes systemic penicillosis, especially in immunocompromised patients with AIDS, hematologic malignancies, autoimmune disease, or organ transplantations
- Found in Southeast Asia
- Can cause disseminated infection with multiple organ involvement
- Fatal if left untreated
- Yeast-like cells resemble those of H. capsulatum
Mold Phase of Penicillium marneffei
- Produces a red diffusible pigment
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