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Fungi & Protozoa - Coggle Diagram
Fungi & Protozoa
Fungi
Eukaryotes (higher biological complexity than bacteria): nucleus, nuclear membrane & chromosomes
Unicellular or multicellular
Reproduce sexually/asexually
free-living in nature
Fungal infections tend to be subacute/chronic. Mainly found in immunocompromised pt.
Growth: needs exogenous carbon (decaying organic matter), lack photosynthetic energy-producing mechanisms, small colonies to larger more complex structures (Mushrooms)
Classification: Yeasts, Moulds, Dimorphic Fungi
Dermatophytes
Mould that requires keratin for growth
Caused by superficial fungi (Trichophyton spp.)
Acquired from contact with other infected persons/animals/soil
Infections: Scalp = Tinea capitis.
Feet = Tinea pedis (Athlete's foot)
Groin = Tinea Cruris
Body = " Corporis (ringworm)
Beard = " barbae
Nails = " ungium
Clinical Features: slow growing eruptions, not painful or life threatening, minor skin break
Diagnosis: skin scrapings, hair clippings, nail clippings
Treatment: often none required,
topical agents,
systemic anti-fungal drugs (long course 3-6months, +/- liver toxicity
Mucocutaneous candidiasis
occurs when there's an imbalance of normal flora allowing overgrowth of candida
warm, moist areas (axilla, mouth)
Red rash with satellite lesions- itchy
Discrete white-patches on mucosal surfaces
Nappy rash, thrush, intertrigo
Diagnosis: clinical swab for microscopy & culture
Treatment: topical (Canestan), systemic drugs
Malaria
caused by:
Plasmodium flaciparum,
Plasmodium vivax,
" ovale,
" malariae
Transmission: parasite transmitted through bite of an infective female anopheles mosquito
Lifecycle: Human bitten, malaria parasite replicates in mosquito, mosquito feeds & transmits parasite to another human, parasite replicates further in human
At risk: travellers to endemic areas, pregnant women, children, immunocompromised
Clinical Features: fever, chills, sweats, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, pyrexia, large spleen
Severe Malaria: cerebral malaria, severe anaemia (Hb <7), haemoglobin in urine, ARDS, sepsis, acute renal failure, high parasite load in blood >/= 5%
Diagnosis: microscopy of thick & thin blood films.
Treatment: oral medication or Artesunate IV, Quinine IV
Aspergillus
Mould, Aspergillus fumigatus
found in air
Invasive aspergillosis: acquired through inhalation of spores, immunosuppressed pt., results in serious ling infection, fever cough, blood-tinged sputum
Diagnosis: CT thorax, culture of LRT
Treatment: antifungal drugs, high mortality rate
Toxoplasma gondii
parasite, host is cat
Human ingestion of oocytes from cat faeces, undercooked meat, transplacental, blood transfusion
Toxoplasmosis: infection in pregnancy (miscarriage, stillbirth), CNS infection immunocompromised pt. (AIDS)
Diagnosis: MRI brain, CSF, blood tests, amniocentesis. Treatment: not required if pregnant/ immunocompetent.
Dimorphic Fungi
Grows as a yeast in human tissues (body temp. 37C)
Grows as a mould in the environment (lower temp. 25C)
Rare in Ireland: Blastomyces sp., Coccidiomycosis sp., Sporothrix sp., Histoplasma sp., Paracoccidiomycosis sp.
Candida
Yeast: Candid Albicans, Candida glabrata
Normal flora in gut, mouth & female genital tract
Infections: Mucocutaneous infections, invasive infections
Invasive candidiasis
immunocompromised hosts, cause of bloodstream infection in pt. with:
Immunosuppression
Post-op GI surgery
IV catheters/lines
TPN
Diagnosis: samples for culture- blood, abdominal fluid
Treatment: remove central IV lines, systemic antifungal drugs IV
Cryptococcus neoformans
Yeast, found in soil,rotting vegetation
Crytococcal meningitis: yeast inhaled into lungs, spreads to meninges, pt. presents with confusion, fever, headache
Diagnosis: Lumbar puncture for CSF.
Treatment: Antifungal drugs
Cryptosporidium parvum
parasite causes diarrhoea. Spreads via water
Gastroenteritis: watery diarrhoea (self-limiting 1-2weeks). Increased risk of more severe disease with chronic diarrhoea in HIV, Transplant, Immunosuppressive drugs
Diagnosis: stool sample or PCR.
Treatment: supportive, public health follow up.
Prevention: boil water in outbreaks
Pneumocystis jiroveci
Yeast, causes pneumonia in immunocompromised, dry cough, hypoxia, fever, resp failure.
Pneumocystis pneumonia:
Diagnosis: CXR, CT, bronchoscopy.
Treatment: Co-trimoxazole
Prevention: Co-trimoxazole prophylaxis in @ risk pt.
Protozoa
single cell, eukaryotes
one or more hosts to complete life cycle