Cryptococcus neoformans bullSHIT

Question 1

Cryptococcus neoformans

Answer 1

Question 2

Cryptococcus neoformans induced meningoencephalitis

Answer 2

in pts with untreated AIDS; diagnosis can be made by detecting the polysaccharide capsule in CSF using the latex agglutination test; India ink staining of CSF is also used for dx and can demonstrate round or oval budding yeast

Question 3

transmission

Answer 3

found primarily in soil contaminated by bird droppings; inhalation of the pathogen into the lungs leads to asymptomatic primary infection usually followed by life-long latent infection; immunocompromised (AIDS pts) are at high risk for reactivation w spread to CNS

Question 4

Tx for cryptococcus meningitis

Answer 4

amphotericin B and flucytosine is required first followed by long-term fluconazole maintenance therapy

Question 5

Answer 5

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection caused by Rhizopus, Mucor, and Absidia species; the classic clinical picture is paranasal sinus involvement in a diabetic or immunosuppressed pt; the fungi form broad nonseptate hyphae that branch at right angles