Fungal Infections--> Mycoses Part 1 Flashcards
Candida Albicans:
NF of mucous membranes: respiratory, GI, GU.
Causes infection when NF balance is disrupted (immunosupression, extended use of antibiotics, diabetics)
What type of infections are caused by Candida albicans?
oropharyngeal: thrush, esophagitis, vulvovaginal infection, skin and nail infections, UTI, pneumonia, septicemia.
What is the gram stain for candida albicans?
gram positive, reported as budding yeast present.
what is a psuedohyphae?
it is a yeast cell that continues to get longer, almost looking like hyphae.
What will a candida albicans culture show?
grows within 24-48 hours. It forms “germ tubes”. yeast is incubated for 3 hours in the serum, microscopically you can look for tube structures at the end of a yeast cell.
Describe cryptococcus neoformans
found in soil due to bird droppings. humans acquire via inhalation. goes from lungs to CNS and can cause a meningitis. usually only causes diseases in immunocompromised individuals.
What is the gram stain for cryptococcus neoformans?
gram stain: gram positive, budding yeast (larger and more round than candida). It produces a large polysaccharide capsule around organism. it can inhibit gram stain from staining organism.
What is the cryptococcal antigen?
It is a rapid test (same day), detects capsular antigen in CSF and serum. Quantitative via performing test on various dilutions of serum/CSF.
What is cryptococcus neoformans culture?
growth in 24-48 hours. ID via various biochemical tests.
What are cutaneous infections called?
dermatophytosis
What are dermatophytosis?
infect hair, skin, and nails. organisms utilized keratin as a carbon source. DO NOT cause systemic disease. Cause tines or ringworm.
