Fungal Taxonomy and Structure
This major sterol component is found in fungal cell membranes instead of the cholesterol found in mammalian cells.
What is ergosterol?
The parasitic phase of this fungus consists of large spherules filled with endospores.
What is Coccidioides immitis (or posadasii)?
This genus of yeasts is the most common cause of opportunistic fungal infections worldwide.
What is Candida?
These secondary fungal metabolites cause diseases after ingestion, inhalation, or direct contact.
What are mycotoxins?
These infections are limited to the very superficial surfaces of the skin and hair and are mostly of cosmetic importance.
What are superficial mycoses?
Multicellular fungi consisting of threadlike tubular structures called hyphae.
What are molds?
This term describes fungi that exist as yeasts or spherules at 37°C and molds at 25°C.
What is thermal dimorphism?
An encapsulated yeast that frequently causes meningitis in immunocompromised patients.
What is Cryptococcus neoformans?
This toxin, produced by Aspergillus flavus, is a well-known cause of hepatitis and liver cancer.
What are aflatoxins?
This South American mycosis uniquely presents with mucosal lesions of the mouth and nose after initial pulmonary infection.
What is paracoccidioidomycosis?
Organisms that live on dead or decaying organic matter.
What are saprobes?
This endemic fungus is characterized by a "mariner's wheel" appearance due to multiple buds on its yeast form.
What is Paracoccidioides brasiliensis?
This ubiquitous saprobic mold is the most common invasive mold infection worldwide.
What is Aspergillus?
This term describes the ability of fungal molecules to structurally or functionally resemble host molecules.
What is molecular mimicry?
A superficial infection characterized by brown or black pigmented patches localized primarily to the palms.
What is tinea nigra?
A saclike structure in which Ascomycota produce sexual spores.
What is an ascus?
The primary route of infection for all four major endemic systemic mycoses.
What is inhalation?
This opportunistic pathogen was formerly classified as a protozoan and causes pneumonia in AIDS patients.
What is Pneumocystis jirovecii?
This mycotoxin-related illness is caused by eating moldy rice contaminated with Citreoviridin.
What is cardiac beriberi?
These infections of the keratinized layer of skin, hair, and nails are caused by Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, and Microsporum.
What are cutaneous mycoses (or dermatophytoses)?
Fungi that can exist in both a yeast form and a mold form.
What are dimorphic fungi?
This specific dimorphic fungus is endemic to the Ohio-Mississippi River Valley and is associated with bird or bat guano.
What is Histoplasma capsulatum?
The primary line of defense against inhaled Cryptococcus neoformans cells in the lungs.
What are alveolar macrophages?
This toxin produced by Aspergillus inhibits macrophage phagocytosis and T-cell activation.
What is gliotoxin?
This clinical entity involves nodules composed of hyphae that encompass the hair shaft.
What is piedra (black or white)?
A matlike structure formed by the collection of hyphae.
What is a mycelium?
Histoplasma uses these specialized molecules to acquire iron while living inside host macrophages.
What are siderophores?
This membrane-bound pigment in Cryptococcus protects the cell from oxidative stress and is associated with neurotropism.
What is melanin?
This mycotoxin found in corn is associated with esophageal cancer.
What are fumonisins?
This term refers to fungal infections of the nails.
What is onychomycosis?
The term for the fungal form producing sexual spores.
What is the teleomorph?
This hormone, specifically found in females, inhibits the transition of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis from conidia to yeast.
What is estrogen?
Patients with this condition are at high risk for Aspergillus infections because their neutrophils cannot generate a respiratory burst.
What is chronic granulomatous disease?
This immune pathway activation is associated with the spontaneous resolution of coccidioidal infection.
What is the TH1 pattern?
Fungal infection of the cornea.
What is keratitis?
: These are unicellular fungi that reproduce by budding or fission.
What are yeasts?
This enzyme produced by Coccidioides creates an alkaline microenvironment that aids survival within macrophages.
What is urease?
This genus causes rhinocerebral infections primarily in patients with diabetes or leukemia.
What are Mucormycetes (or Mucorales)?
A disease caused by Claviceps purpurea that can result in gangrene or convulsions.
What is ergotism?
These endemic mycoses are often called by this name because they can disseminate to any organ in the body.
What are systemic mycoses?
These specialized structures are asexual reproductive elements often produced by aerial hyphae.
What are conidia?
Histoplasma capsulatum is found almost exclusively within these host cells.
What are mononuclear phagocytes (or macrophages)?
This virulence factor allows Candida to rapidly adapt to microenvironments by changing bud and hypha formation.
What is phenotypic switching?
This mycotoxin-related disease, also known as "red mold disease," is caused by Fusarium metabolites on wheat and barley.
What is Akakabi-byo?
This yeast is the most common fungal cause of vulvovaginal infections.
What is Candida (especially C. albicans)?
Rootlike structures helpful in identifying specific genera within the order Mucorales.
What are rhizoids?
Microbes capable of initiating infection in a normal, apparently immunocompetent host.
What are primary pathogens?
The negative charge of this structure produced by Cryptococcus creates electrostatic repulsion between the yeast and host cells.
What is the polysaccharide capsule?
This mycotoxin is associated with Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN).
What is Ochratoxin?
A localized collection of fungal hyphae, usually Aspergillus, found in a preexisting lung cavity.
What is a fungus ball (or aspergilloma)?