microimm mycology cram

Aspergillus nidulans

Filamentous fungi which is saprophytic.

In the asexual cycle spores are made. In the sexual cycle, spores will differentiate into gametes which fuse to make zygotes. In the parasexual cycle, genetic recombination occurs to introduce variability in the population

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Yeast which is saprophytic.

In the asexual cycle, they make haploids which form zygotes which differentiate into more haploids (spores)

Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Yeast that is saprophytic

In the asexual cycle, h+ and h- haploids are made and then they fuse to make zygotes in the sexual cycle. Nitrogen deprived environment is necessary for the zygote formation.

Candida albicans

Yeast that is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause invasive candidiasis. Major virulence factors:

• adhesins

• dimorphism

• Extracellular hydrolases

Yeast enters via post surgical infection and directly enters bloodstream. Hyphal and yeast forms will colonize on epithelial cells and enter bloodstream. Damages cause inflammation and biofilm will resist immune responses. Extracellular hydrolases kills host machinery.

Diagnosis: blood sample analysis

Treatment: antifungals

Aspergillus fumagatis

Opportunistic yeast pathogen that causes invasive aspergillosis. Major virulence factors:

• thermal tolerance

• gliotoxin

• proteinase production

Spores are inhaled and infect alveoli. They differentiate into hyphae to migrate into the bloodstream and spread to other tissues. Gliotoxins suppresses phagocytosis.

Diagnosis: biopsy of alveolar fluid