Fungi

Question 1

Describe Candida albicans in terms of yeast vs mold, disease caused, symptoms, and Lab Dx.

Answer 1

Yeast vs mold: Yeast

Disease caused/symptoms: normal microbiota but may cause mild opportunistic infections (oral thrush, vaginitis, cutaneous infections of skin folds, onychomycosis)
-systemic infections in immunocompromised

Lab Dx: generally not needed but can use KOH wet prep microscope examination

Question 2

Describe Candida auris in terms of yeast vs mold, disease caused, symptoms, transmission, and Lab Dx.

Answer 2

Yeast vs mold: yeast

Disease caused/symptoms: emerging gobal health threat that causes severe systemic infection

Lab Dx: difficult to differentiate/ID in standard lab

Question 3

Describe Crptococcus neoformans in terms of yeast vs mold, disease caused, symptoms, transmission, and Lab Dx.

Answer 3

Yeast vs mold: yeast w/ thick capsule

Disease caused/symptoms:

• Pulmonary infection usually subclinical that then rapidly becomes systemic or fulminating when other dz causes decrease immune response
• Meningitis

Transmission: inhalation of yeast

Lab Dx: india ink of CSF

Question 4

Describe Microsporum, Trichophyton, Epidermophyton in terms of yeast vs mold, disease caused, and Lab Dx.

Answer 4

Yeast vs mold: dermatophytic molds

Disease caused/symptoms: tinea capitis (ring worm of scalp), pedis (athletes foot), cruis (jock itch)

Lab Dx: KOH wet prep but not generally done

Question 5

Describe Sporothrix schenckii in terms of yeast vs mold, alternate names, transmission, and clinical presentation

Answer 5

Yeast vs mold: subcutaneous mold

Alternate names: rose gardener’s disease

Transmission: soil, wood, or vegetation that enters body through trauma

Clinical presentation

• primary lesion that is small and non-tender then necrosis and enters lymph system
• secondary lesions develop along lymph channels maybe chronic if untreated

Question 6

Describe Histoplasma capsulatum in terms of yeast vs mold, disease, transmission, endemic areas and Lab Dx.

Answer 6

Yeast vs mold: systemic mold

Disease: localized lung lesions w/flu like symptoms that can then be disseminated by macrophages

Transmission: inhaled spores from bird dropping

Endemic areas: Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys

Lab Dx: culture of sputum or lesions

Question 7

Describe Coccidioides immitis in terms of yeast vs mold, disease caused, symptoms, transmission, and Lab Dx.

Answer 7

Yeast vs mold: systemic mold

Disease caused/symptoms: Desert Fever

Symptoms: localized lung lesions w/flu like symptoms that disseminates systemically when cell mediated immunity is weak

Transmission: inhalation of spores in dust producing event in hot dry alkaline soil

Lab Dx:culture of sputum or lesions

Question 8

Describe Aspergillus fumigatus in terms of yeast vs mold, disease caused, and transmission

Answer 8

Yeast vs mold: mold

Disease caused/symptoms: non pathogen unless immunocompromised, can cause sinus infection pulmonary mass, and sometimes systemic disease

Transmission: inhalation of spores

Question 9

Describe Aspergillus flavus in terms of yeast vs mold, disease caused, and transmission

Answer 9

Yeast vs mold:

Disease caused/symptoms: liver failure d/t aflotoxin

Transmission: ingestion of seeds, nuts, grains taht have been stored improperly

Question 10

Describe Pneumocystitis jirovecil in terms of disease caused, and symptoms

Answer 10

Disease caused/symptoms: PNA in immunocompromised persons, that attacks interstitial/fibrous tissue of lungs

Symptoms: non-productive cough, SOB, night sweats

Question 11

Describe Stachybotrys chartarum in terms of yeast vs mold, and disease caused

Answer 11

Yeast vs mold: black mold that may grow in buildings where moisture is present

Disease caused/symptoms: may produce mycotoxins that increase allergy and asthma