Lesson 1 (Lab) - Introduction

Saprobes

Fungi that obtains nutrients from decaying/decomposing organic matter

Fungi commonly found in environment

Soil, plants, decaying matterair

Superficial

It affects outer keratinized layers

Cutaneous

It affects dermis and epidermisayer of the skin, as well hair, and nails

Keratinase

Enzyme that enables fungi to penetrate outer keratinized layer

Subcutaneous

It penetrates deeper tissues following trauma

Trauma

How does a fungi penetrate deeper or subcutaneous tissue of the skin?

Systemic

It affects internal organs when spores are inhaled

Spores

What part of a fungi that affects internal organs and cause systemic infection?

Opportunistic

This occurs in immunocompromised or immunodeficient patients

HIV patients

Patients that are immunocompromised or immunodeficient that are commonly infected and have systematic infection?

Route of entry

How are fungi classified?

Cryptococcus neoformans

This fungi can cause deadly brain infections

Candida albicans

This is commonly found in the gut but could cause invasive infections in immunocompromised people

Candida albicans

This can cause asthma-like illness, pulmonary fibrosis or a non-cancerous tumor

Candida auris

This fungi causes nosocomial infection

Lungs

This is the primary reservoir of fungi because it is moist and warm, making it favorable for their growth

Class II BSC

This reduces personnel exposure to fungal spores, aerosols, and conidia

Class II BSC

This provides HEPA-filtered airflow to protect both the user and the specimen

2 um (microns); 0.3 um filter

This is the size of the fungi in microns; this is the size of the HEPA filter in microns

Enclosed Electric Incinerator

This is prefered to use instead of an open flame

Petri dish

This is hazardous hence screw-top tubes are preferred

Parafilm seal

This is use to seal petri dishes

70% alcohol

This can kill fungal cell but not fungal spores

5% phenol and 5% hypochlorite

This is sporicidal

Phenol

This is not used in laboratory as a disinfectant due to its toxicity

30 mins, 15 psi

How long (include psi) should you autoclave regular loads?

1 hour, 15 ps, 121C

How long (include psi and degrees) should you autoclave trash and glassware?