PathologyLesson 4 of 4 in the course Respiratory System Infections

Respiratory Mycoses: Endemic and Opportunistic Fungal Diseases

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces three respiratory mycoses associated with particular environments and regions. Each is caused by a dimorphic fungus, and infection usually begins when environmental spores are inhaled.

Fungi are widespread in soil and organic material, and exposure to respiratory fungal pathogens is common in many regions. However, symptomatic disease is uncommon in healthy people because respiratory defenses usually prevent infection from becoming established. These infections are generally acquired from the environment rather than transmitted from person to person.

All flashcards

Histoplasma capsulatum dimorphism
It grows as a filamentous mold in the environment and as a budding yeast during human infection.
Coccidioides in the human body
It develops into spherules containing endospores.
Aspergilloma
A fungal ball formed when colonies of Aspergillus hyphae collect in the lungs.
Mucormycosis routes of entry
Mucorales spores can enter through inhalation, wounds, or ingestion.
Cryptococcus neoformans capsule
Its polysaccharide capsule helps the yeast evade clearance by alveolar macrophages.

Quiz questions

  1. Which fungus causes Pneumocystis pneumonia?Answer: *Pneumocystis jirovecii*.
  2. Which medication combination is the preferred treatment described for Pneumocystis pneumonia?Answer: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ).
  3. What defines invasive aspergillosis?Answer: Aspergillus hyphae invade host tissues.
  4. Which approach is central to diagnosing mucormycosis?Answer: Examining biopsy tissue for fungal elements.
  5. What does India ink preparation help reveal in cryptococcosis?Answer: The large capsule surrounding yeast cells.

Based on Microbiology by Nina Parker, Mark Schneegurt, Anh-Hue Thi Tu, Philip Lister, Brian M. Forster (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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