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
