Mycology - Fungal Identification & Epidemiology PDF
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Uploaded by PropitiousPascal3492
Monsignor Doyle
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Summary
This document provides information on fungi, including their characteristics, methods for direct examination, and the epidemiology of specific fungal species like *Histoplasma capsulatum*, *Blastomyces dermatitidis*, and *Coccidioides immitis*. It also details clinical aspects, like antifungal drug resistance, and microscopy techniques.
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What are Fungi? Eukaryotes Non-motile Aerobic Saprophytic The rigid cell wall consists of chitin embedded in a matrix of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids. Cell membrane contains ergosterol How do we examine Fungi directly? Step 2 of Lab fungal infection diagnosis? ...
What are Fungi? Eukaryotes Non-motile Aerobic Saprophytic The rigid cell wall consists of chitin embedded in a matrix of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids. Cell membrane contains ergosterol How do we examine Fungi directly? Step 2 of Lab fungal infection diagnosis? KOH digests protein debris and clears keratinized tissue so fungi present in specimen can be visualized Calcofluor White binds to the Chitin in the fungal cell wall and becomes fluorescent under fluorescent microscope What’s an empiric antifungal that we use once we have identified a yeast? IV caspofungin What kind of drug resistance is seen in Candida spp? C. Krusei have Fluconazole resistance What’s the epidemiology of Histoplasma capsulatum? Worldwide, but most common in the Midwestern and Central United States, along the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys What’s the epidemiology of blastomyces Dermatidis? Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, the Great Lakes, and the Saint Lawrence River. Also endemic in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. What does blastomyces dermatitis look like under the microscope? At 37 °C: thick walled, spherical, broad-based budding yeast, 8-15 microns. What’s the epidemiology of Coccidioides immitis? Endemic in desert regions of the United States (southern Arizona, the southern and central valleys of California, southwestern New Mexico, and west Texas) and Central and South America What does Coccidioides immitis look like under the microscope? At 25 °C: Barrel shaped arthroconidiathat alternate with empty cells (dysjunctor)
