Fungal Pathogens Review Chapter 22 PDF

Chapter 22 – Fungal pathogens 1. Know the characteristics of the major conditions and diseases such as dermatophytes, Candidiasis, Coccidioides , and Pneumocystis jirovici 2. Why are mycoses difficult to diagnose and treat? (3) a. Signs of mycoses are often missed or misinterpreted...

Chapter 22 – Fungal pathogens 1. Know the characteristics of the major conditions and diseases such as dermatophytes, Candidiasis, Coccidioides , and Pneumocystis jirovici 2. Why are mycoses difficult to diagnose and treat? (3) a. Signs of mycoses are often missed or misinterpreted b. Fungi are often resistant to antifungal agents 3. What are 3 ways that fungi are pathogenic? (4) a. Fungal infections: most common mycoses; caused by presence of true pathogens or opportunists b. Fungal toxicoses: acquired through ingestion; occur when poisonous mushrooms are eaten c. Allergies: most often result from inhalation of fungal spores 4. What is the “go to” drug for Fungal infections? (5) a. Amphotericin B 5. Pathogenesis and symptoms of the main systemic mycoses (6- 24) a. Histoplasma i. Usually asymptomatic and resolves without damage ii. Most infections occur through inhalation of spores iii. H. capsulatum is phagocytized by macrophages in the lungs (disperse the fungi beyond the lungs via the blood and lymph) b. Blastomyces i. Bastomyces dermatitidis is the causative agent (moist soil and decaying leaves) ii. Symptoms are nonspecific (muscle aches, fever, chills, etc) c. Coccidiodes i. Coccidiodes immitis is the causative agent ii. Fungi in desert soil, rodent burrows, archeological remains, mines iii. Most often result in pulmonary conditions; dissemination to other sites occurs most in immunocompromised 6. Pneumocystis pneumonia – what type of infection is it? Who is affected by it? (26) a. Common opportunistic fungal infection of AIDS patients b. Majority of individuals exposed to P. jiroveci by age 5 7. Candidiasis – How is it contacted? What areas of the body are typically affected? (29) a. One of the few fungi transmitted between individuals b. Common microbiota of the skin and mucous membranes c. Thrush- oral candiasis d. Yeast infection: vaginal candidiasis 8. Effect of fungal infections in immune compromised individuals. (35) a. Permanent immune dysfunction makes cure of infections unlikely i. Mycoses account for most deaths associated with AIDS 9. What is ringworm? (36) a. Dermatophytosis: infections of the skin, nails, or hair caused by dermatophytes b. Can be spread from person to person