Question

Medical Microbiology Tutorial: Fungal Infections (cont.)

Answer 1

decided to make a part 2 for the less common infections

Answer 2

\({\bf{Cryptococcus~neoformans:}}\)


- true yeast
- opportunistic pathogen (typically only becomes dangerous in people who are immunocompromised)
- airborne
- infects lungs
- can spread to brain, where it causes symptoms such as headaches, fever, pain, nausea/vomiting, light sensitivity, confusion, or behavioral changes
- tissue samples, CT scan
- treated w/ antibiotics such as fluconazole (less severe) or amphotericin B + flucytosine (more severe cases)

Answer 3

\({\bf{Aspergillus~fumigatus:}}\)



- filamentous fungi
- opportunistic
- high mortality rates
- two types: Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis + Invasive Aspergillosis. CPA is localized to lungs and IA can spread to other parts of the body.
- symptoms: fever, coughing/wheezing, coughing blood, weakness, sudden weight loss
- diagnosis: tissue samples, CT scans
- treatment: antibiotics such as voriconazole

Answer 4

\({\bf{Ringworm:}}\) also known as tinea and dermatophytosis. despite the name it's caused by fungal, not worm, species.



- infects keratin in skin, nails, hair
- symptoms: red, circular, itchy rashes
- transmitted in unhygienic, shared environments like public showers, pools, gym equipment. so yeah, if you use any of these things on a regular basis, make sure to wear proper footwear, wash your hands, wipe down equipment before + after using, etc.
- treatments: antibiotics like microazole and ketoconazole

Answer 5

\({\bf{Histoplasma capsulatum:}}\)

- classified as dimorphic
- endemic to eastern/Midwestern United States
- three forms, in escalating severity: acute, chronic, disseminated
- transmission: airborne. travels to other areas of body through respiratory system
- symptoms: there are three different forms but generally: fevers, headaches, muscle pain, flu symptoms, breathing and other respiratory problems, fatigue
- treatments: antifungals, IV in serious cases

Answer 6

\({\bf{Histoplasma~capsulatum:}}\)



- classified as dimorphic
- endemic to eastern/Midwestern United States
- three forms, in escalating severity: acute, chronic, disseminated
- transmission: airborne. travels to other areas of body through respiratory system
- symptoms: there are three different forms but generally: fevers, headaches, muscle pain, flu symptoms, breathing and other respiratory problems, fatigue
- treatments: antifungals, IV in serious cases

Answer 7

\({\bf{Pneumocystis~jiroveci :}}\)



- classified as atypical
- airborne
- resists in vitro growth, hard to sudy
- opportunistic
- symptoms: pneumonia-like symptoms. often seen in AIDS patients.
- treatments: antifungals such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) given through IV

Answer 8

Sources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/cryptococcosis-neoformans/diagnosis.html
- https://www.immunology.org/public-information/bitesized-immunology/pathogens-and-disease/aspergillus-fumigatus#targetText=Aspergillus%20fumigatus%20is%20an%20opportunistic,we%20inhale%20several%20conidia%20daily.
- https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/pneumocystis-pneumonia/index.html
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000671.htm#targetText=Pneumocystis%20jiroveci%20pneumonia%20is%20a,Pneumocystis%20carini%20or%20PCP%20pneumonia.
- https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/histoplasmosis/diagnosing-and-treating.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/ringworm/index.html#targetText=Ringworm%20is%20a%20common%20skin%20infection%20that%20is%20caused%20by%20a%20fungus.&targetText=The%20fungi%20that%20cause%20this,tinea%E2%80%9D%20or%20%E2%80%9Cdermatophytosis.%E2%80%9D
- https://www.healthline.com/health/aspergillus-fumigatus#targetText=Aspergillus%20fumigatus%20is%20a%20species,spores%20on%20a%20daily%20basis.
- lecture notes