Sketchy Pharm: Candida Albicans Flashcards
What is an often said adage about dimorphic fungi?
“Mold in the cold. Yeast in the heat.”
How is Candida different than the other dimorphic fungi?
It is a mold in the heat and a yeast in the cold.
In warm conditions, Candida forms ___________.
germinating hyphae (just like the straws in the ice cream cones at the 37º Flavors Ice Cream shop)
What happens to Candida in the cold?
It forms yeast with pseudohyphae.
Think of the thermometer at 20º next to the mound of snowballs with shrubbery that resembles pseudohyphae.
Candida is _________-positive.
catalase
Candida can cause ______________ in young children.
severe diaper rash (just like the crying child in the red swing)
Oral candidiasis can present in what populations?
Any age group that is immunocompromised, such as the elderly, those with AIDS, or children using steroids.
(Think of the kid with snow on his tongue and the old man with the white beard.)
Candida is distinct from oral hairy leukoplakia because ____________.
Candida can be scraped off (like the person shoveling snow off)
The slide represents ______________.
esophageal candidiasis (this is an AIDS-defining illness)
Esophageal candidiasis is typically seen when _____________.
CD4 counts drop below 100 (like the max weight of 100 lbs on the slide)
Vaginal Candida is more common in _______________.
diabetics, those taking antibiotics, and those taking OCPs
Think of the woman getting hit in the crouch with a snowball dropping candy and pills.
What is unique about the vaginal discharge found in candidiasis?
It usually produces pH less than 4 (like how like the playground is only open until 4).
What does Candida often cause in IV drug users?
Tricuspid infections (like the tri-topped playground)
What drugs treat Candida?
- Azoles for common infections (pine cones)
- Amphotericin for immunocompromised patients (frogs next to old man)
- Nystatin for oral/esophageal candidiasis (think of the “Play NYce” sign)
