Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
25 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
What is a mycosis?
|
A fungal infection in or on part of the body
|
|
What are the 2 main ways to diagnosis a fungal infection?
|
Lack of good molecular tests so:
1. Culture of organism 2. Look under microscope - useful because fungi have such distinct shapes |
|
What are the 3 targets for antifungal medications?
|
1. Cell membrane - target ERGOSTEROL, sterol in membrane
2. Cell wall 3. DNA Synthesis - not used as much as the other 2 classes |
|
What 2 antifungals target the cell membrane?
|
1. Amphotericin B (ampho-terrible)
2. Azoles (triazoles) - all names end in "azole" |
|
Why is Amphotericin B not widely used?
|
Because of its very high toxicity, "ampho-terrible"
|
|
What class of antifungals target the cell wall?
Of these, which is the most important? |
Class: Echinocardins
- CASPOFUNGIN is the most important |
|
What are the characteristics of Caspofungin?
|
- Targets cell wall
- Given IV - very well tolerated |
|
What is the main antifungal that inhibits DNA/RNA synthesis?
|
Flucytosine
|
|
What are the only 2 "primary pathogens" fungi that cause infection in normal host?
|
1. Histoplasmosis (ohio valley fever)
2. Coccidiomycosis (San Joaquin Valley Fever) |
|
What are the 3 opportunistic fungal pathogens?
|
1. candida - mostly a yeast
2. Cryptococcus neoforman - a yeast 3. Aspergillus - a mold |
|
What is the most important opportunistic fungal infection?
|
Candida
|
|
Is candida a normal gut/skin flora?
|
Yes, therefore causes disease when host's immune system is compromised
|
|
What common superficial infection does Candida cause?
|
Thrush
|
|
What is the treatment for Candida?
|
Often an Azole: Fluconazole
|
|
What fungal opportunistic infection is widespread in nature and has oval cells surrounded by "halo"?
|
Cryptococcus
|
|
What is the most important complication of Cryptococcus?
|
- When it enters the bloodstream, can go anywhere
- Can cause Cryptococcal meningitis |
|
How is Cryptococcus treated?
|
Treatment for systemic infection requires Amphotericin B followed by long term treatment with an Azole: Fluconazole
- Such a significant problem for AIDS patients that they often take fluconazole as prophylaxis |
|
What is the most common true fungal pathogen?
Is it extracellular or intracellular? |
- Histoplasm capsulatum (Histoplasmosis - Ohio Valley Fever)
- It is the ONLY intracellular fungus |
|
What symptoms does Histoplasmosis usually give?
|
- Pulmonary symptoms because spores of fungus are inhaled
|
|
How is Histoplasmosis usually treated?
|
- Usually does not require treatment
- In immune compromised patients, can use amphotericin |
|
What common fungus (infects normal people) is usually seen in the southwest?
|
Coccidiodomycosis: San Jaquin Valley Fever
- In Southwest because it prefers DRY SOIL |
|
How is Coccidioidomycosis treated?
|
- Janwaquin valley fever
- Usually does not require treatment - If does, amphotericin plus azole |
|
What is the most serious opportunistic fungal infection?
What are its characteristics? |
- Aspergillus
- Incredibly destructive - acutely branching hyphae that have septae - Lung infection common, but can spread - High Mortality |
|
Why is early diagnosis essential with aspergillus?
|
Because will form granuloma with necrosis, making drug treatment very innefective
|
|
How do you treat aspergillus?
|
Amphotericin and Azole
Pray |