Fungal Infections Flashcards
What are the two main phyla of fungi?
Ascomycota
Basidiomycota
Which fungus out of the basidiomycetes causes the largest burden of disease?
Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gatii
Causes cryptococcal meningitis
What three types of illness do fungi cause?
Allergies
Mycotoxicoses
Mycoses
Define mycotoxicosis.
A toxic reaction to the ingestion/inhalation of toxins produced by fungi
What is known as the most carcinogenic natural compounds and what produces it?
Aflatoxin – Aspergillus flavus
Define mycosis.
Disease caused by fungi that is classified based on the level of tissue affected
What are the four types of mycosis?
Superficial
Cutaneous
Subcutaneous
Systemic
What are superficial mycoses? Give some examples.
Mycoses that affect the skin and hair No tissue is invaded so there is no cellular response Black piedra White piedra Dandruff Tinea nigra
What are cutaneous mycoses? Give some examples.
Produce keratinases – causes inflammation
Trychopyton and Microsporum are main examples
Other examples:
Tinea capitis
Tinea corporis
Tinia pedis
What are subcutaneous mycoses?
Chronic, localised infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue following traumatic implantation of the aetiological agent.
What type of fungal infection is a big problem in transplant settings?
Aspegillosis
What are the three types of candida infection that can occur in the immunocompromised?
Mucosal
Systemic
Superficial
What are the three types of mucocutaneous candidiasis that occurs in people with HIV?
Oesophageal
Vulvovaginal
Oropharyngeal
What are the main risk factors for systemic candida infections?
Chemotherapy
Gut-related surgery
Catheters
What are the three main targets for antifungal therapy?
Cell membrane
DNA synthesis
Cell wall
