Mycology

Question 1

Mucicarmine and India Ink stains

Answer 1

Cryptococcus neoformans

Mucicarmine: Detects polysaccharide capsular antigen

Question 2

Cryptococcus neoformans

Answer 2

Not dimorphic
Soil and pigeon droppings
Inhalation with hematogenous spread to meninges
“Soap bubble” lesion in brain

Question 3

Aspergillus fumigatus

Answer 3

Invades lung cavities after TB
Can produce aflatoxins–>heptocellular carcinoma
Allergic bonchopulmonary aspergillosis
Not dimorphic, acute angled, septate hyphae

Question 4

Candida albicans, population at risk

Answer 4

immunocompromized-neonates, steriod use, diabetes, AIDS

Question 5

Candida albicans, culture

Answer 5

Pseudohyphae and budding yeast, germ tubes off of one yeast

Question 6

Aspergillus fumigatus, culture

Answer 6

Septate hyphae with acute angles

Question 7

Aspergillus fumigatus, population at risk

Answer 7

Immunocompromised and CGD
Allergic bronchpulmonary aspergillosis: associated with asthma and cystic fibrosis, may cause bronchiectasis and eosinophilia

Question 8

Mucor and Rhizopus spp

Answer 8

Found in ketoacidotic diabets and/or neutropenic patients
HA, facial pain, Black necrotic eschar face
Non-septate hyphae branching at wide angles

Question 9

When and what do you give for P. jirovecii prophylaxis

Answer 9

When CD4 count drops to less than 200 cells

Dapsone and Atovaquone

Question 10

How do you treat P. jirovecii?

Answer 10

TMP-SMX, pentamidine

Question 11

What component of Amanita phalloides is toxin and what is it’s mechanism?

Answer 11

a-amanitin
Inhibits RNA polymerase II (mRNA synthesis)
Severe hepatotoxicity if ingested

Question 12

What fungus is associated with asthma, CF, bronciechtasis and eosinophilia?

Answer 12

Aspergillus fumigatus (Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis)- typically in immunocompromised patients