Deck 22: The Fungi of Medical Importance

Question 1

All of the following pertain to coccidioidomycosis, except

A)the pathogen grows best in soil with bird and bat guano.
B)fungomas occur in the lungs of those infected
C)it is transmitted by inhalation of arthrospores.
D)it often has symptoms of fever, chest pain, cough, headache, malaise.
E)it is also called Valley Fever.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Characteristics of Histoplasma capsulatum include

A)it grows in moist soil, rich in nitrogen from bird and bat guano.
B)it is a yeast with a capsule.
C)it is a dermatophyte.
D)it grows in dry, arid soil.
E)None of the choices are correct.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which is incorrect about histoplasmosis?

A)pathogen grows inside macrophages
B)transmitted by inhalation of spores
C)respiratory infections range from mild to severe
D)chronic cases have symptoms similar to tuberculosis
E)never spreads to sites outside the respiratory tract

Answer 3

E

Question 4

The ability of a fungus to grow as a yeast or a mold depending on its environmental temperature is called

A)fungal virulence.
B)parasitism.
C)dimorphism.
D)dermatophytes.
E)opportunistic fungi.

Question 5

All of the following are dimorphic, true fungal pathogens except

A)Candida.
B)Histoplasma.
C)Blastomyces.
D)Coccidioides.
E)Paracoccidioides.

Question 6

All of the following pertain to Candida albicans, except

A)opportunistic yeast.
B)low numbers found in the mouth, intestines, genitalia, and skin.
C)has a large capsule.
D)infections often arise from an endogenous source.
E)persistent moist skin influences infection.

Question 7

Transmission of tineas include

A)human to human
B)animal to human
C)soil to human
D)fomites to human
E)All of the choices are correct.

Question 8

Which is incorrect about Sporothrix schenckii?

A)is dimorphic
B)lives in the soil
C)often transmitted by soil-contaminated thorns
D)causes superficial cutaneous infection
E)causes nodules along regional lymphatic channels

Question 9

The routes of entry for most fungi into the body are

A)urinary and reproductive.
B)digestive and respiratory.
C)blood and wounds.
D)respiratory and cutaneous.
E)None of the choices are correct.

Question 10

Paracoccidioides is

A)a superficial mycosis.
B)endemic to regions of Central and South America.
C)only seen in immunocompromised patients.
D)also known as Valley Fever.
E)All of the choices are correct.

Question 11

Which is incorrect about tinea versicolor?

A)It is a superficial mycosis.
B)It is often transmitted by fomites.
C)It is caused by the yeast Malassezia furfur.
D)It causes disruption of skin pigmentation resulting in a mottled appearance.
E)It occasionally causes systemic infections in compromised patients.

Question 12

Which is mismatched?

A)Tinea capitis - ringworm of the beard
B)Tinea pedis - ringworm of the foot
C)Tinea cruis - ringworm of the groin
D)Tinea corporis - ringworm of the body
E)Tinea unguium - ringworm of the nails

Question 13

The highest incidence of histoplasmosis in the United States occurs in the

A)Southeast.
B)Southwest.
C)East and Midwest.
D)Northeast.
E)Rocky Mountains.

Question 14

The terms used for the four levels of fungal infection include the following, except

A)cutaneous.
B)bloodborne.
C)systemic.
D)subcutaneous.
E)superficial.

Question 15

Dermatophytoses are

A)fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails.
B)also called ringworm.
C)also called tineas.
D)often time-consuming to eradicate completely.
E)All of the choices are correct.

Question 16

Amphotericin B, nystatin, and the imidazoles are all

A)mycotoxins.
B)fungal enzymes.
C)antifungal drugs.
D)culture media supplements for fungi.
E)None of the choices are correct.

Question 17

Mycetoma is

A)a subcutaneous infection that looks like a tumor.
B)also called athlete's foot.
C)caused by dermatophytes.
D)only seen in the Midwest.
E)All of the choices are correct.

Question 18

Blastomyces dermatitidis

A)causes Gilchrist disease and Chicago disease.
B)is transmitted by skin contact with fomites.
C)is a dermatophyte.
D)usually enters through the gastrointestinal tract
E)All of the choices are correct.

Question 19

Chromoblastomycosis

A)is caused by saprobes with dark-pigmented mycelia and spores.
B)is caused by dimorphic fungi.
C)is a systemic infection.
D)is a serious respiratory tract infection.
E)has a peak incidence in Alaska.

Question 20

Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton

A)produce tissue-damaging mycotoxins.
B)all cause athlete's foot.
C)reservoirs are humans, animals, and soils.
D)frequently cause septicemia.
E)are dimorphic fungi.

Question 21

Ergotism is caused by

A)ingesting Amanita phalloides, the death-angel mushroom.
B)ingesting aflatoxin.
C)inhaling Stachybotrys spores and toxins.
D)ingesting alkaloids from Claviceps purpurea on rye plants.
E)inhaling Rhizopus spores.

Question 22

Oral thrush is caused by

A)Cryptococcus neoformans.
B)Candida albicans.
C)Malassezia furfur.
D)Pneumocystis (carinii) jiroveci.
E)None of the choices are correct.

Question 23

Which of the following is incorrect about Sporotrichosis?

A)It is also known as Valley fever.
B)Humans and other mammals are susceptible.
C)Heat packs applied to skin lesions can resolve some infections.
D)A prick of a thorn is the classic mode of infection.
E)The sporotrichin skin test can be used to determine prior infection.

Question 24

All of the following areas are subject to intertriginous infections, except

A)between folds of the groin.
B)under breasts.
C)in the armpit.
D)behind the knees.
E)chest.

Question 25

Menthol and camphor (Vicks^TM) are effective treatments against

A)chromoblastomycosis.
B)ringworm.
C)Histoplasmosis.
D)tinea versicolor.
E)blastomycosis.

Question 26

Aspergillosis includes all the following, except

A)there are no effective drugs to treat the infection.B.noninvasive infections of the eyelids, sinuses, conjunctiva, and ear canals.C.a pneumonia that disseminates to the brain.D.most cases are due to A.fumigatus.E.life-threatening infections in AIDS, leukemia, and transplant patients.

Question 27

Which antifungal drug inhibits cell division of the fungus?

A)ketoconazole (Nizoral)
B)fluconazole
C)terbinafine (Lamisil)
D)amphotericin B
E)griseofulvin

Question 28

All of the following are fungal allergies, except

A)bark stripper's disease.
B)farmer's lung.
C)teapicker's lung.
D)thrush.

Question 29

Which of the following are likely to predispose patients to fungal infections?

A)cancer
B)AIDS
C)tuberculosis
D)malnutrition
E)All of the choices are correct.

Question 30

Alternative names for Blastomyces dermatitidis include

A)Gilchrist's disease.
B)Valley fever.
C)Rose Gardener's disease.
D)Teapicker's lung.
E)Farmer's lung.

Question 31

Which of the following is a rare mycosis caused by a mold commonly found in soil, in dairy products and on the human body?

A)bark stripper's disease
B)Valley fever
C)sporotrichosis
D)geotrichosis
E)Pneumocystis pneumonia

Question 32

Pneumocystis (carinii) jiroveci

A)has protozoan and fungal characteristics.
B)lacks ergosterol in its plasma membrane.
C)is an obligate parasite.
D)causes serious infection in elderly, premature infants, and AIDS patients.
E)All of the choices are correct.

Question 33

Serious mycoses treated with amphotericin B include all the following, except

A)zygomycosis.
B)invasive aspergillosis.
C)Pneumocystis pneumonia.
D)coccidioidomycosis.
E)histoplasmosis.

Question 34

This opportunist is the most frequent cause of life-threatening pneumonia in AIDS patients:

A)Cryptococcus neoformans
B)Candida albicans
C)Malassezia furfur
D)Pneumocystis (carinii) jiroveci
E)None of the choices are correct.

Question 35

The primary portal of entry for fungal infections is

A)the urinary tract.
B)through skin.
C)the respiratory tract.
D)the nervous system.
E)the digestive system.

Question 36

This organism commonly contaminates grains, corn, and peanuts and produces a potent mycotoxin called aflatoxin:

A)Pneumocystis (carinii) jiroveci
B)Fusarium species
C)Rhizopus species
D)Geotrichum candidum
E)Aspergillus flavis

Question 37

Cryptococcus neoformans has the following characteristics, except

A)commonly found in the human mouth, intestines, and genitalia
B)a capsulated yeast
C)in high numbers in soil containing pigeon droppings
D)usually enters body by inhalation
E)primarily infects patients with AIDS, cancer, and diabetes

Question 38

Decaying vegetation, such as piles of leaves and compost matter, allows growth and transmission of

A)Cryptococcus.
B)Aspergillus.
C)Candida.
D)Dermatophytes.
E)Pneumocytis.

Question 39

Cryptococcosis can include

A)pulmonary infection.
B)septicemia.
C)meningitis.
D)bone infection.
E)All of the choices are correct.

Question 40

Candidiasis includes

A)intertriginous infection of skin sites.
B)vulvovaginal infection.
C)oral cavity and esophageal infections.
D)skin and nail infections.
E)All of the choices are correct.

Question 41

Patient's with madura foot develop swollen, ulcerative, tumor-like skin lesions called mycetomas.

Question 42

Tough, warty verrucous lesions are seen in patients with tinea versicolor.

Question 43

Fungi that exhibit thermal dimorphism grow as _____ at 30° C and as _____ at 37°
C.

Question 44

Fungi cannot be found growing in nutritionally poor and adverse conditions.

Question 45

Diseases caused by fungi are termed _____.

Question 46

All fungi are heterotrophic and can break their substrates down by secreting enzymes.

Question 47

Skin testing with antigen is used to diagnose ringworm.

Question 48

Amphotericin B is an over-the-counter drug to treat athlete's foot.

Question 49

_____ are superficial mycoses that cause white masses or dark masses to develop on the hair shaft.

Question 50

Sabouraud's dextrose agar is a lab medium for supporting growth of fungi.

Question 51

Dermatophyte spores can survive for years on fomites.

Question 52

Blastomycosis begins as a respiratory infection that can spread to the skin.

Question 53

Sporotrichosis is associated with soil high in pigeon droppings that is introduced into subcutaneous tissue.

Question 54

Which is incorrect about chromoblastomycosis?

A)it is characterized by highly visible verrucous lesions
B)treatment is with pentamidine
C)its etiological agent are soil saprobes with dark-pigmented mycelia and spores.
D)sclerotic cells are produced
E)it is frequently confused with yaws, cancer, and syphilis.

Question 55

Most mycoses are not communicable.

Question 56

Trichophyton species infect hair, skin, and nails, whereas Microsporum species infect hair and skin but not nails.

Question 57

Thermal dimorphism is associated with opportunistic fungi and never seen in true fungal pathogens.

Question 58

The most common route of transmission for true pathogenic fungi is ingestion of spores.

Question 59

Fungal spores, are common allergens that cause hypersensitivities.

Question 60

Adding salt and sugar can control the growth of certain bacteria but not fungi.

Question 61

The typical transmission of dimorphic fungi is inhalation of _____.

Question 62

The nodular, tumor-like fungal growths seen in certain chronic lung infections are called _____.

Question 63

Rhizopus, Absidia, and Mucor are mold genera that cause the disease called _____.

Question 64

Discuss at least 5 factors that predispose certain individuals to opportunistic fungal infections.

Question 65

Compare and contrast Histoplasmosis, Coccidioidomycosis, and Blastomycosis with regard to: a) causative agent, b) reservoir, c) transmission, and d) disease, including complications.

Question 66

Explain why Pneumocystis (carinii) jiroveci has been difficult to classify, and why traditional antifungal drugs are not effective against this microbe.

Question 67

Discuss why the use of broad-spectrum oral antimicrobics often lead to oral thrush and vulvovaginal candidiasis superinfections.

Question 68

Dermatophytes digest the protein _____, found in the skin, hair, and nails.