Fungi Introduction

Question 1

Name the three classes of fungi, their sexual and asexual spores, and give an example of each

Answer 1

Basidiomycetes - basidiospore - conidium - mushrooms
Ascomycetes - ascospore - conidium - baking yeast
Zygomycetes - zygospore - sporangiophore - bread mould

Question 2

Name the two groups of non-fatal disease-causing fungi and what they cause

Answer 2

Dermatophytes - ringworm/keratin degradation

Pityriasis versicolor - yeasts that form hyphae

Question 3

Name the three main groups of (possibly) fatal disease-causing fungi and their symptoms

Answer 3

Candida albicans - chronic mucocutaneous infection in patients with APECED, forms filaments in serum @ 37 C

Aspergillosis fumigatus - pulmonary symptoms, bronchopulmonary condition, asthma (environmental moulds)

Cryptococcosis neoformans/gatti - meningitis in tropical countries (forms a non-penetrable capsule)

Question 4

How is fungal infection detected?

Answer 4

Microscopy/staining/CT/antibody detection/PCR/culturing

Question 5

Give three examples of antifungals

Answer 5

Polyenes
Azoles
Echinocandins