Fungal infections Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is the main aspergillus fungal pathogen?
Aspergillus fumigatus
What is the main candida fungal pathogen?
Candida Albicans
What is the main cryptococcus fungal pathogen?
Cryptococcus neoformans
Are fungal infections opportunistic?
Yes
What are some ways an immune system may be impaired?
HIV/AIDS
Malignancy
Premature neonates
Asthma
Cystic fibrosis
COPD
What are some fungal diseases brought on by pneumocystis spp.?
Opthalmic pneumocystosis Pneumocystis pneumonia Hepatosplenic infiltrates Renal pneumocystosis Bone marrow infiltrates
What are some fungal diseases brought on by aspergillus spp.?
Cerebral aspergillosis Keratitis Sinusitis Allergic & invasive pulmonary aspergillosis Osteomyelitis Cutaneous aspergillosis
What are some fungal diseases brought on by candida spp.?
Cerebral abscess Thrush Oesophagitis Candidaemia Hepatic abscess Renal abscess Urinary candidasis Vulvovaginal candidiasis Osteomyelitis Cutaneous candidiasis Onychomycosis
What are some fungal diseases brought on by cryptococcus spp.?
Meningitis Cerebral abscess Endophthalmitis Pulmonary infiltrates Endocarditis Cryptoccemia Renal abscess Subcutaneous abscess
What are some presenting factors in primary immunodeficiency disorders?
Neutropenia
Low CD4+ T-cells
How is invasive candidiasis diagnosed?
Blood culture
Culture from normally sterile site
PCR
How is aspergillosis spread?
Inhalation
Describe the sequence of events in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
Sporulation Inhalation of airborne pathogen Germination in absence of sufficient pulmonary defences Neutropenia and immunosuppression Tissue damage
What are some features of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis?
Pulmonary exacerbations
Not responding to antibiotics
Lung function decline
Positive sputum culture
What is pulmonary aspergilloma?
A fungal mass which grows in ling cavities
How is cryptococcosis transmitted?
Inhalation
How does cryptococcosis spread?
Pulmonary infection from asymptomatic to pneumonia
Dissemination to brain (meningoencephalitis in HIV/AIDS)
How may cryptococcosis present?
Headache Confusion Altered behaviour Visual disturbances Coma due to raised ICP
How is cryptococcal disease diagnosed?
CSF: Indian ink preparation
Blood culture
What are some antifungal agents used to treat invasive fungal infections?
Amphotericin B
Azoles
Echinocandins
Flucytosine
How do amphotericin B formulations work?
IV
Acting on ergosterol
How do azoles work?
IV, Oral
Inhibiting ergosterol synthesis
How do echinocandins work?
IV
Inhibiting glucan synthesis
How do flucytosines work?
IV, Oral
Inhibiting fungal DNA synthesis
