Chapter 10- Eukaryotic Microbial diseases

What are fungal cell walls made of?

Fungal cell walls are made of chitin.

What drugs target chitin synthesis?

Drugs such as polyoxins and nikkomycins inhibit chitin synthesis.

What is ergosterol?

Ergosterol is a cholesterol-like molecule found in fungal cell membranes.

Which drugs target ergosterol synthesis?

Drugs such as imidazoles, triazoles, and Lamisil inhibit ergosterol synthesis.

What is mycosis?

Mycosis is a fungal infection in humans caused by either true pathogens or opportunistic fungi.

What triggers filamentous fungi to produce spores?

Filamentous fungi produce spores when they run out of nutrients in their environment.

What is the life cycle of filamentous fungi?

Filamentous fungi grow as hyphae that form a mycelium, then produce conidiophores that generate asexual spores (conidia) which become airborne and spread.

What are dimorphic fungi?

Dimorphic fungi can exist as mold in the environment and yeast in host tissues, switching forms depending on environmental conditions such as temperature.

What are dermatophytes?

Dermatophytes are fungi that digest keratin using keratinase and infect keratinized tissues like skin, hair, and nails, causing ringworm.

What causes ringworm?

Ringworm is caused by Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton.

How is ringworm spread?

Ringworm is spread by contact with infected people, animals, or contaminated surfaces.

Where can ringworm occur on the body?

Ringworm can occur on the scalp, feet, hands, nails, groin, and body.

What causes histoplasmosis?

Histoplasmosis is caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, found in soil enriched with bird or bat droppings.

Is histoplasmosis dimorphic?

Yes, Histoplasma capsulatum is dimorphic.

Is histoplasmosis zoonotic?

No, histoplasmosis is not zoonotic because it is acquired from the environment.

What happens in the body during histoplasmosis?

Spores are inhaled into the lungs where they convert into yeast and replicate.

What causes cryptococcosis?

Cryptococcosis is caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, a monomorphic encapsulated yeast.

What are the key features of Cryptococcus neoformans infection?

It is acquired by inhalation, infects the lungs, and can spread to the brain causing meningitis.

What is candidiasis?

Candidiasis is an opportunistic infection caused by overgrowth of Candida species.

What are the major risk factors for candidiasis?

Major risk factors include HIV/AIDS, cancer treatments, steroid use, antibiotic use, diabetes, stress, and nutrient deficiency.

What is thrush?

Thrush is oral candidiasis characterized by white patches on the tongue.

What is candidemia?

Candidemia is a bloodstream infection caused by Candida.

What is parasitology?

Parasitology is the study of protozoa and parasitic worms.

What are the main modes of transmission of protozoan infections?

Protozoan infections are transmitted through ingestion, insect bites, transplacental transmission, or direct penetration.

What is the trophozoite stage?

The trophozoite stage is the active, feeding, multiplying form of a protozoan.

What is the cyst stage?

The cyst is a dormant, protective stage allowing survival outside the host.

What causes keratitis in contact lens users?

Keratitis is caused by Acanthamoeba species from contaminated water or contact lenses.

What is giardiasis?

Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by Giardia lamblia.

How is giardiasis transmitted?

Giardiasis is transmitted through contaminated water.

What is the infective stage of Giardia?

The cyst is the infective stage of Giardia.

What causes toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii.

How is toxoplasmosis transmitted?

Toxoplasmosis is transmitted through contaminated food, water, or exposure to cat feces.

Is toxoplasmosis zoonotic?

Yes, toxoplasmosis is zoonotic.

What is the main host of Toxoplasma gondii?

Cats are the main host of Toxoplasma gondii.

What causes trypanosomiasis?

Trypanosomiasis is caused by Trypanosoma brucei.

How is trypanosomiasis transmitted?

Trypanosomiasis is transmitted by the bite of a tsetse fly.

What is another name for trypanosomiasis?

African sleeping sickness.

What does trypanosomiasis affect?

It affects the central nervous system.

Is the tsetse fly a biological or mechanical vector?

The tsetse fly is a biological vector.

What causes Chagas disease?

Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi.

How is Chagas disease transmitted?

Chagas disease is transmitted when feces from a kissing bug enter a bite wound.

What is another name for Chagas disease?

American trypanosomiasis.

Is the kissing bug a biological or mechanical vector?

The kissing bug is a biological vector.

What causes malaria?

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium falciparum.

How is malaria transmitted?

Malaria is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito.

What type of vector transmits malaria?

A biological vector.

What cells does malaria infect?

Malaria infects and destroys red blood cells.

How can malaria be controlled?

Malaria can be controlled by preventing mosquito bites, using insecticides, and eliminating standing water.

What are helminths?

Helminths are multicellular parasitic worms.

What are the three types of helminths?

Nematodes (roundworms), trematodes (flukes), and cestodes (tapeworms).

What are the life cycle stages of helminths?

Egg, larva, and adult stages.

What are Taenia species?

Taenia species are tapeworms.

How are Taenia species transmitted?

They are transmitted through ingestion of undercooked meat containing larvae.

What is a scolex in Taenia?

The scolex is the head of the tapeworm used for attachment to the host.

What complications can Taenia cause?

Larvae can form cysts in tissues such as the brain, leading to serious complications.