Question | Answer |
Which adaptive immune cell is key in controlling Candida? | T cell |
What T cell subset and cytokine is responsible for host defense against Candida? | Th1 and INF-y |
Define Dimorphism | The ability to be a mold or mycelium at room temperature and a yeast at body temperature |
what is the process of asexual reproduction in fungi? | hyphae grow and divide at thier tips eventually forming conidia. |
Candida is a member of which class of Fungi? | Fungi Imperfecti |
Candida transiently colonizes what in most people? | Oral cavity and skin |
Outline the process of immunity to candida. | 1) APC cell (such as DC) presents B-glucan and secretes IL-12 to transition TH0 to TH1.
2) TH1 secretes INF-Y to enhance macrophages
3) Neutralizing antibody and complement is recognized on the surface and allows for phagocytosis. |
Outline the innate immune response to candida | TLR activation via B-glucan on yeast and phagocytosis via neutrohils/macrophages. |
Outline the cell mediated immune response to candida | TH1 cells secrete IFN-y |
Define the humoral immune response to candida | Anti-body against B-mannan |
what is the most benign disease caused by candida on mucous membranes? | TRUSH |
Invasive focal infections often affect multiple organs. How do these become introduced? | Indwelling devices such as prosthetic heart valves and catheters. |
Define Candidemia | Fungal Sepsis |
Which patients are most at risk for Candidemia? | Immunocompromised and ICU pts. |
What are the three aspects of Candida Pathogenesis? | Adherence, Invasion, Host cell damage |
What influences Candida Adhesion? | Fungal Adhesins, the stronger the adherence the more virulent |
what influences Invasion? | hyphal growth |
define morphogenesis | the ability of yeast to differentiate into hyphae and cause tissue damage via invasion (yeast-to-hyphal transition) |
What is the most important aspect of adapting to the environment for fungi? | Pheno-type switching |
What is the primary way to identify a fungus? | KOH scraping or Gram stain |
Define Oropharyngeal candidiasis | TRUSH; increased in immunocompromised pts or those with exposed gums (infants/denture wearers) as well as those treated with antibiotics or glucocorticosteroids |
Define Vaginitis caused by Candidia | Yeast
curdled white discharge
dry-red vaginal lining |
Where does a cutaneous candidiasis occur most often? | MOIST areas such as skin folds. |
In which population does Intertrigo occur most often? | Obese |
In which population is candida espophagitis most common? | AIDS or hematologic malignancies. |