Lecture 4 Flashcards
What are some of the major fungal pathogens?
1) yeasts
- Candida species
- Crytpcoccus neoformans
2) filamentous fungi or moulds
3) Dimorphic fungi
- Yeast and filamentous forms
What is candida?
- Candida species are an endogenous flora (Colonizes the mouth, vaginal, skin surfaces and mucosa.
- A sample from the mouth does not mean infection coz rheyre part of the flora
-Candida is makor cause of vaginitis and superficial skin infections
What is the pathogenisis of oral candidasis? patients at risk?
Patients with reduced immune function such as aids, transplants, melliuts
- Patients using dentures are also at risk.
How can you diganose oral mucosa candidasis “Thrush”?
Visual inspection usually and then gram stain or wet mount to confirm
What are the symptoms of Oral candida mucosal candiasis?
Soreness, burning tongue, taste change and xersotmia.
- Chronic oral malfunction can lead to malnutrition
- Raised confluent white and creamy elavated patches
- Pain with swallowing (Odynophagia) would raise concerns of esophageal candidiasis
Dentures and candidiasis?
Dentures can cause acumlation of yeast and tramua or prostehiss that isnt fitted well will cause mechanical irratation.
-IMMUNODEFICIENCY DUE TO HIV AND DIBETES
Candida vulvovaginits?
Candida speicies are part of female lower flora. About 75% of adult women might experience candida vulvovaginitis so its not an oppurtunistic pathogen.
Immunodifeciencey will increase likelyhood.
What is the clinical implication of candedimia>
4th most common form of nosocomial infection
-30-50% mortality
What are the risk factors of candidemia?
Central lines and GI are the major ports of entry.
-Lines: Catheters, IV, Dialaysis catheters
- GI: Chemotherapy, livertransplant and bowel leaks.
- ICU patients have multiple risk factors .
What are some different candida species?
Candida albican is most common but there are different types of pathogenic candidda species.
Whos is at risk for cryptococcous neoformans?
Immunodeficient patients such as AIDS or transplant.
-very rare in immunocomptetent patients.
How is cryptococcus neoformans acquired and how dies it manifest?
it is acquired via inhalation and it manifests mostly into meningitis.
- Ocular
- Hematogenous
- Skin
What are the structural and virulance factors of cryptococcous neofromans? How is it detected
1) polysacchride capusle and its the virulance factor.
- Antigen based detecton is the best form of detection.
How can you diagnose cryptococcus neofrmans:
direct visualzization by india ink (Cereborspinal fluid)
-Antigent detection (Highly senstitive and specific)
-Growth in culture
(look for capsle and phenol oxidase postive).
How do you differentiate yeast?
1) colony morphology
- growth under specidfic conditions
- biochemistry and PCR
