Pharmaceutical

Microbiology

Mycology

Medically Important Pathogens

Medically Important
Pathogens
Candida albicans
Aspergillus fumigatus
Histoplasma capsulatum
Cryptococcus neoformans
Dermatophytes
Candida albicans
- Opportunistic fungal pathogen; part of the normal
flora
- Can cause superficial and systemic infection:
> GIT in diabetic patients, CA patients, HIV
patients
> UTI, indwelling catheters
- forms: budding or hyphae
- Virulence factors: adhere to mucosal surfaces
> Phospholipases, lysophospholipase (damage
cell membranes)
> Acid proteinases (degrade IgG, IgA)
> hemolysin production(binds with platelet)
Aspergillus fumigatus
saprophytic fungus found in decaying vegetation and
damp surfaces
Opportunistic pathogen
Virulence factors:
> enzymes (growth in the lungs and dissemination into
the body)
> phospholipase (tissue degradation)
> elastinases: allergens (damage airways)
> proteases induce proinflammatory IL-6 & IL-8 cytokines
> toxins: Gliotoxin (main toxin)
helvolinic acid
fumigatin
Histoplasma capsulatum
dimorphic fungus causes histoplasmosis
Common HIV patients, very young, very old (low
immune system)
Soil as natural habitat
Airborne spores
Pulmonary macrophage protective environment
(can survive macrophage)
Cryptococcus neoformans
encapsulated yeast associated with
immunocompromised patients
Meningitis clinical manifestation
Can withstand macrophage
Virulence factor: capsule
Dermatophytes
group of keratinophilic fungi which can
metabolize keratin
AKA: Tinea/ringworm/Dermatophytes
diseases of the skin, hair, and nails
involves the keratinized layers of the skin
and its appendages
clinical manifestation: tinea or ringworm
 Microsporum infects skin &
hair
Trichophyton infects skin, hair,
nails
Epidermophyton skin, nails

 Tinea capitis
- infection of hair,
scalp
Tinea corporis
- infection of the
skin of leg, trunk,
arms
 Tinea cruris
- Skin of the groin

Tinea pedis
- infection of the
feet
 Tinea manuum
- infection of the
hands
Tinea inguinum
- infection of
fingernails,
toenails
Body sites and possible fungal
pathogens
Blood Candida sp, Blastomyces dermatitidis,
Histoplasma capsulatum, Cryptococcus
neoformans
CSF Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida sp.
Histopasma capsulatum, and Coccidioides immitis
Hair Microsporum and Trichophyton
Nails Aspergillus, Epidermophyton, and
Trichophyton
Skin Candida, Microsporum, Trichophyton,
Rhizopus, Penicillium, Histoplasma capsulatum,
Blatomyces dermatitidis, and Coccidioides immitis
Throat Candida albicans, Geotrichium candidum
Urine Candida albicans, Candida glabarata
GUT Candida albicans
Emerging Fungal Pathogens
1. Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast
for bread, alcoholic beverages
(brewers or bakers yeast)
2. Penicillium marneffei most
frequent cause of fungal disease in
AIDS patients (in SEA)
 Pathogenesis of the Fungi
Portal of entry
Primary mycoses respiratory portal;
inhaled spores
Subcutaneous inoculated skin;
trauma
Cutaneous and superficial
contamination of skin
surface
Virulence factors enzymes, toxins,
spores, capsules

14
Control of Mycotic
Infections
Immunization is not usually effective
Control involves intravenous
amphotericin B, flucytosine, azoles, and
nystatin
In some cases surgical removal of
damaged tissues
Prevention limited to masks and
protective clothing to reduce contact
with spores

15
16
The end