MYCOLOGY

What is a teleomorph?

The sexual reproductive stage of a fungus during which sexual spores are produced

What is a sporangium?

A sac-like structure in which spores are formed internally

What is an ascocarp?

The fruiting body of Ascomycota containing asci with ascospores

What does dikaryotic mean?

A stage where a cell contains two genetically distinct haploid nuclei without fusion

Which fungal groups have a dikaryotic stage?

Ascomycota and Basidiomycota

What is a basidioma?

The fruiting body of Basidiomycota where basidia and basidiospores are formed

What is the Spitzenkörper?

A vesicle-rich structure at the hyphal tip that controls polarized growth

What is heterothallism?

A reproductive system requiring two compatible mating types

What is a dimorphic fungus?

A fungus that grows as a mold at low temperatures and as a yeast at body temperature

What are transposable elements?

DNA sequences that can move within the genome and disrupt genes

What is horizontal gene transfer in fungi?

Transfer of genetic material between unrelated fungal species

What is epigenetic regulation in fungi?

Heritable changes in gene expression without altering DNA sequence

Name common mycotoxins

Aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, citrinin, ergot alkaloids, patulin, T-2 toxin, fumonisins

Which two organs are most affected by mycotoxins?

Liver and kidneys

Why are liver and kidneys especially susceptible to mycotoxins?

They detoxify and excrete toxins leading to higher exposure

Which fungus causes ergotism?

Claviceps purpurea

Which systems are primarily affected in ergot poisoning?

Central and peripheral nervous systems

What are key symptoms of ergot poisoning?

Confusion and convulsions

Which hallucinogenic drug is related to ergot alkaloids?

LSD

What is an opportunistic mycosis?

A fungal infection mainly affecting immunocompromised individuals

Give two examples of opportunistic fungi

Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans

What is an endemic mycosis?

A fungal infection restricted to specific geographic regions

Give two examples of endemic fungi

Coccidioides immitis and Histoplasma capsulatum

Which fungal phylum does Cryptococcus neoformans belong to?

Basidiomycota

Which organs are most commonly infected by Cryptococcus neoformans?

Lungs and brain

How does Cryptococcus neoformans cross the blood-brain barrier?

Transcytosis, paracytosis, and Trojan horse mechanism

List four medically important Aspergillus species

Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus

Name three fungal-specific drug targets

Ergosterol, chitin, and cell wall glucans

How does Amphotericin B work?

It binds ergosterol forms membrane pores and kills the fungus

List three differences between fungal and animal cells used for drug development

Ergosterol instead of cholesterol, presence of cell wall, presence of chitin

Name five risk groups for opportunistic fungal infections

HIV AIDS patients, organ transplant recipients, elderly, pregnant individuals, post-surgical patients

Name four WHO critical priority fungal pathogens

Candida auris, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans

Why is Candida auris a major hospital threat?

It is multidrug resistant spreads easily and survives on surfaces

Which fungal division does Candida auris belong to?

Ascomycota

What innate immune mechanisms fight fungal infections?

Defensins, phagocytes, reactive oxygen species, and NETs

What is the role of phagocytes in antifungal defense?

They ingest fungi produce ROS and activate immune signaling

What is the role of T cells in fungal immunity?

They coordinate immune responses through cytokines

What are superficial mycoses?

Infections of outer skin or hair such as Trichosporon species

What are cutaneous mycoses?

Infections of keratinized tissues such as Trichophyton species

What are subcutaneous mycoses?

Infections of deeper skin layers such as Sporothrix species

What are systemic mycoses?

Infections affecting multiple organs such as Coccidioides immitis

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is endemic where?

Latin America

Talaromyces marneffei is endemic where?

Southeast Asia

Histoplasma capsulatum var duboissii is endemic where?

Africa

Histoplasma capsulatum var capsulatum is endemic where?

Americas

Coccidioides immitis is endemic where?

Central and Western USA