Clinically Important Fungi and Protozoans Flashcards

Flashcards for clinically important fungi and protozoans, covering diseases, causes, and transmission.

Dermatophytes

Fungi that invade keratinized tissue (epidermis) causing dermatomycoses.

Tinea species (Ringworm)

Fungal infections named by location, such as T. corporis (body), T. cruris (groin), T. capitis (scalp), T. unguium (nails), and T. pedis (feet).

Candidiasis (Candida albicans)

Opportunistic fungal infection; normal flora that can cause thrush and vaginitis. It is the most common nosocomial fungal infection.

Candida auris

Emerging, multidrug-resistant fungus causing serious systemic infections.

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Caused by Candida albicans; linked to pH changes, antibiotics, diabetes, and hormones.

Trichomoniasis

Sexually transmitted infection, caused by Trichomonas vaginalis (protozoan), that infects the urogenital tract.

Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)

Caused by Coccidioides immitis from Southwest U.S. soil. Inhaled spores cause flu-like symptoms.

Histoplasmosis

Caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, endemic in central/eastern U.S. Inhaled spores mature to yeast form in macrophages.

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)

Caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii; major concern for HIV/AIDS patients.

Blastomycosis

Caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis, entering via wounds or inhalation and becoming systemic via macrophages.

Aspergillosis

Caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, inhaled from decaying vegetation. Can block lungs, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Giardiasis

Caused by Giardia duodenalis (lamblia). Cysts from contaminated water attach in the small intestine using an adhesive disk.

Amebiasis (Amebic Dysentery)

Caused by Entamoeba histolytica. Cysts mature in colon, invade mucosa, and may cause peritonitis.

Cyclosporiasis

Caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis; oocysts in water or berries cause watery diarrhea.

Cryptosporidiosis

Caused by Cryptosporidium hominis/parvum; oocysts in contaminated water cause severe diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals.

Visceral Leishmaniasis

Caused by Leishmania donovani, spread by sandfly. Survives in macrophages, affecting liver, spleen, and kidneys. HIV patients are especially vulnerable.

Malaria

Caused by Plasmodium spp.; vector: female Anopheles mosquito. Sporozoites are injected and develop into trophozoites in RBCs, causing fever cycles.

Chagas' Disease (American Trypanosomiasis)

Caused by Trypanosoma cruzi; vector: reduviid bug. Chronic form damages heart, GI tract, nerves.

Toxoplasmosis

Caused by Toxoplasma gondii, spread by cat feces and undercooked meat. Dangerous in pregnancy, associated with CNS damage.

Cryptococcosis

Caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, a budding yeast from bird feces. Inhalation leads to systemic infection and CNS meningitis, especially in HIV patients.

African Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness)

Caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense/gambiense, transmitted by tsetse fly. Infects all organs → CNS degeneration → coma and death. Has antigenic variation.