Ch. 28 Diseases of Fungi & Protozoa (Micro)

3 fundamental categories of fungi

1) Yeasts 2) Molds 3) Dimorphic fungi

Disease associated with Aspergillus fumitatus.

Aspergillosis

Fungi

a group of often filamentous unicellular and multicellular organisms, lacking chlorophyll and usually bearing spores

Aspergillosis

disease caused by a fungus found in decaying vegetation and manure.

Candidiasis

disease caused by the fungus Candida albicans

Are fungal cells prokaryotic or eukaryotic>

-Eukaryotic -Contains a nucleus

Who is most as risk for getting Coccidiodomycosis?

-Filipinos & African Americans -Men are 9 times more likely to contract than women

Are bacterial cells

-Prokaryotic

How can fungi reproduce?

-Sexually or asexually -through budding or reproductive spore formation

Disease associated with Trichophyton Microsporum Epidermophyton

-Tinea wapitis (scalp ringworm) -Tinea curries (jock itch) -Tinea pedis (athlete's foot)

Is reoccurrence in fungal infections common?

-Yes. -Some are chronic; especially those of the nail beds

A. flavus

-a mold found on peanuts, corn, and grains

Characteristics of Cryptococcus neoformans

-a mucus-like covering appearing not eh surface of the brain due to the capsule of the fungi -microscopic flask-shaped cavities present in the brain tissue, causing progressive dementia

Signs and symptoms of Coccidiodomycosis

-angina -fever -coughing -anorexia -headache -weight loss for 6 weeks or longer -nodule formation -pulmonary disease -meningitis

Signs and symptoms of Trichophyton Microsporum Epidermophyton

-circular, raised lesions of the skin -discolorations of the nail beds -brittle nails -itching

Signs and symptoms of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) (pneumocytosis)

-fever -cough -dyspnea -discolored skin & mucous membranes -respiratory failure

Characteristics of Candida albicans

-fourth most common cause of nosocomial blood-stream infections in the US -40% fatal once it reaches systematic level -infants can develop a white, overgrowth of the tongue called thrush -can overgrow the esophagus or respiratory system and cause death in people with AIDS -can cause yeast infections in woman due to frequent douches -diabetics & the obese may develop candidiasis of the moist skin

Yeasts

-fungi that are typically encapsulated and are unicellular

Who/what is Aspergillosis most common found among?

-gardeners and farmers

Signs and symptoms of fungal meningitis

-headache -fever -malaise -respiratory failure -deteriorating mental status -stiff neck

Who is at risk of fungal meningitis?

-infants with histoplasmosis -IV drug abusers -immunosuppressed populations including people with cancer or AIDS

Signs & symptoms of Aspergillosis

-lesions of the bronchi, lungs, aural canal, skin, eyes, nose, brain, bone, or urethra -nodules on kidneys, lungs, or liver -fever -cough -chest pain

Signs and symptoms of Histoplasmosis

-lesions on the lungs or other organs -fatal chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) -in most cases, the host is asymptomatic

Cryptococcus neoformans

-most common causative agent of a rare form of fungal meningitis -encapsulate yeast cell present in the cerebrospinal fluid if infected persons -may also infect the lung

Characteristics of Coccidiodomycosis

-one of the most virulent mycotic pathogens in humans (inhaling only a few organisms results infection) -can be fatal -When HIV-positive, severe pulmonary disease can occur

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)

-opportunistic infection common in immunodeficient persons -caused by fungus Pneumocystis jiroveci

Who is most at risk for contracting Aspergillosis?

-people with prolonged blood-related cancers, blood-related stem transplants, or organ transplants -people receiving high-dose corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory diseases -HIV positive bay also contract this infection of the lung

Mode of transmission of Trichophyton Microsporum Epidermophyton

-person to person -person to fomite

Tinea capitis

-ringworm of the scalp -begins as an infection of the hair follicle and spreads to the scalp

Is fungal meningitis fatal?

-usually; about 12% of the time -it may appear acutely, mimicking bacterial meningitis

3 genera of fungi that cause tinea capitis, tinea cruris & tinea pedis

1) Trichophyton 2) Microsporum 3) Epidermophyton

Pneumocystis carinii

AKA: Pneumocystis jaroveci -primary opportunistic pathogen infections found among immunosuppressed populations (c cancer patients, organ recipients, AIDS patients) -has a cell wall that increases its virulence against antimicrobial agents -originally observers during WWII in malnourished infants & orphans

Dermatomycoses

AKA: Ringworm or tines -infections that grow in the keratin of the skin, hair and nails

Tinea pedis

AKA: athlete's foot -fungal infection of the foot

Tinea cruris

AKA: jock itch -ringworm of the groin

Disease associated with Coccidioides immitis

Coccidiodomycosis AKA: -Posada-Wernicke disease -coccidioidal granuloma -valley fever/bumps -desert rheumatism -California disease

Disease associated with Histoplasma capsulatum

Histoplasmosis AKA: -cave disease -spelunker's disease -darling's disease -reticuloendothelial Ctyomycosis

Mode of transmission of fungal meningitis

Inhalation of airborne yeast cells

Mode of transmission of Histoplasmosis

Inhalation of fungal spores from contact with bird feces

Mode of transmission of Aspergillosis

Inhalation of fungus from manure or decaying vegetation

Disease associated with Pneumocystis carinii (Pneumocystis jaroveci)

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) (pneumocytosis)

How do fungi differ from plants?

They do not contain chlorophyll

Dimorphic fungi

alternate between unicellular and multicellular forms

A. glaucus

bluish mold found on dried fruit

A. niger

forms black spores on the auditory meatus

Histoplasmosis

fungal infection of the respiratory system

Disease associated with Cryptococcus neoformans

fungal meningitis

Molds

fungi that are filamentous forms.

Dermatophytes

fungi that can infect the integumentary system

Mode of transmission of Coccidiodomycosis

inhalation of fungal spores found in the dry, alkaline soils of American Southwest, Mexico and parts of South America

Mode of transmission of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) (pneumocytosis)

presumed to be through inhalation of fingus

Coccidiodomycosis

respiratory disease caused by the fungus Coccidioides immitis

What part of the body is generally sufficient enough to prevent the growth of Candida albicans?

the normal microbial flora of the body's mucous membranes