TERM 1
Candida Albicans
DEFINITION 1
Disease Name: Candidiasis: thrush, vulvovag initisProkaryotic/Eukaryotic:
EukaryoticGram Stain & Morphology: + Dimor phic yeastSpores:
ChlymidosporesMotility: Non-motileFeatures: 20% women carry in vagina; higher
in pregnancy/oral contraceptives.Pathogenic P roperties: Inflammatory response
to overgrowth of the yeast that is normally pre sent at low levels in normal
floraHigh Risk Ind.: Immunocompromised in dividuals & those on antibioticsParts
of Body Infected: Mouth (thrush), pharynx, es ophagus, intestines, vagina, urinary
bladderTransmission: Sexual contact w/ infec ted individual; improperly cleaned
bottlesPortals of Entry: Vagina, mouth, skin fo ldsIncubation:Period of
Illness:Contagious:Symptoms:Thick, whitish discharge, itch, burn; white patches
in mouth; skin infections in folds of obese people &
diabeticsComplications:Immunocompromise d at risk of becoming systemic,
causing fungemia (candidemia).Diagnostic M ethod:Microscopic examination;
culturePrevention:Keeping skin clean, dry, fre e from open wounds; change of
dietVaccine: No
TERM 2
Ringworm Fungi
DEFINITION 2
Disease: Name:Athletes foot; ringworm; joc k
itchProkaryotic/Eukaryotic:EukaryoticGram Stain &
Morphology:+Spores:Multicelluar arthrosporesO xygen
Reqs:AerobicMotility:Features: Long ago belie ved to be caused by worms. Causes
hair to fall out due to secretion of keratinase by fungiPathogenic Properties:High
Risk Ind.:People w/ suppressed T-Cell functi oningReservoir:Humans & animals
(esp. cats & dogs)Parts of Body Infected:Stratu m corneum of skin via minor
traumatic lesionsTransmission:Barbershop cli ppers; contaminated shower
stalls/locker roomsPortals of Entry:Minor traum atic lesions on skinIncubation:10-
14 daysPeriod of Illness:Contagious:May persi st for long periodsSymptoms:Scaly
patches of skin, usually in circular shape. Itch y, dry & can make hair brittle &
break offComplications:Chronic infection for t hose w/ low T-cell countDiagnostic
Methods:Fungal culturePrevention:Adequatel y cleaned surfaces that come into
contact with skinVaccine: No
TERM 3
Cryptococcus
Neoformans
DEFINITION 3
Disease: Name:CryptococcosisProkaryotic/Euk aryotic:EukaryoticGram Stain &
Morphology:+ Oval yeast cellsSpores:YesOxyg en Req:AerobicMotility:Features:
Dimorphic yeast as mold in bird feces. Cons idered the most dangerous fungal
disease in humansPathogenic Properties:Infe ction starts in lungs, disseminated
via blood to meninges & other parts of body. Capsule inhibits phagocytosisHigh
Risk Ind.:Suppressed immune system (AIDS , transplant, cancer
patients).Reservoir:Grows as mold in pigeon & other bird fecesParts of Body
Infected:Initially lungs, then meningesTransm ission:AirbornePortals of
Entry:Respiratory system: inhalation of spores from fecesIncubation:Widely
variable: few to many weeks.Period of Illnes s:Meningitis is chronic: progressive &
fatal if untreatedContagious:Not considered to be contagious among
humansSymptoms:Meningitis: headache, s tiff neck, paralysis seizures,
disorientation. Lungs: productive cough, feve r, weight lossComplications:Death
(over 25% of deaths from fungal disease)Diag nostic Methods:Microscopic exam
of encapsulated yeasts in sputum or cerebros pinal fluid, bloodPrevention:Remove
bird feces, avoid dust blowing from bird feces Vaccine:
TERM 4
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
DEFINITION 4
Disease: Name:Tuberculosis (TB)Prokaryotic/E ukaryotic:ProkaryoticGram Stain &
Morphology:+ Acid fast bacillusSpores:Motility: Oxygen:Obligate aerobeFeatures:
Infects over 1/3 world population. Can infect any part of body (extrapulmonary),
but usually lungs (pulmonary).Pathogenic Pro perties:Colonization of alveoli
causes inflammatory response; organisms p icked up by macrophages & carried
alive to other body tissues.High Risk Ind.:Ho meless; HIV infected; institutionalized
peopleReservoir: HumansParts of Body Infec ted:a) cleared by host, b) remain
viable to re-active later, c) continue to grow & damage lungs & other
organsTransmission:Aerosol dropletsPortals o f Entry:Respiratory system (obligate
intercellular)Incubation:Weeks to yearsPeriod of Illness:Chronic: may persist for
years if not treatedContagious:As long as bact eria in sputumSymptoms:Chronic
cough w/ blood tinged sputum, fever, night sweats, weight
lossComplications:DeathDiagnostic Methods: Sputum culture; stain acid fast
bacilli; Chest X-ray; TB skin testingPrevention :Avoid contact w/ those who have
disease;Vaccine:BCG vaccine (controversial i n US)
TERM 5
Mycobacterium Leprae
DEFINITION 5
Disease: Name:LeprosyProkaryotic/Eukaryotic: ProkaryoticGram Stain &
Morphology:+ Acid fast bacillusSpores:Motility: Oxygen: AerobeFeatures: Least
severe form = tuberculoid (plaques on skin) ; most severe = lepromatous
(thickened nodules).Pathogenic Properties:In vasion of small nerves of skin, attack
of immune cells against infected nerves pro duces nerve damage, leading to
deformity; multiplies in macrophages.High R isk Ind.:2x common in men than
women; poverty, rural setting are risk factorsR eservoir:ArmadilloParts of Body
Infected:Nose, fingers, toes, other body partsT ransmission:Direct contact w/ nasal
mucosa to skin & resp. tract of another. Clos e contact favored. Can survive up to
7 days in dried nasal secretionsPortals of Entry :Skin & respiratory
tractIncubation:5-7 yearsPeriod of Illness:Conta gious:Lost w/in a day of beginning
treatment w/ multidrug therapySymptoms:Hy po-pigmentation or reddish skin
lesions w/ definite loss of sensation, involve ment w/ peripheral
nervesComplications:DeathDiagnostic Method s:Clinical signs in regions where
endemic; acid-fast/silver staining; growth on footpads of
mice.Prevention:Improving living conditions in endemic regionsVaccine:BCG
(shown mixed results); no vaccine specifica lly for leprosy
