NURS 116 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Microsporum, Dermatophyte, Cryptococcosis

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Nursing
• Course: NURS 116
• Professor: Kathleen Hegadoren

Document Summary

Yeasts: single celled organisms, reproduce by budding. Molds: produce long hollow, branching filaments called hyphae. Dimorphic fungi: can be either a yeast or mold depending on the temperature. Both have a rigid cell wall layer (not peptidoglycan and not affected by penicillin) Dermatophytes: cannot grow at body temperature but can on the skin surface (e. g. more pathogenic in immunocompromised individuals and those taking antibiotic therapies ringworm, athlete"s foot) Ringworm (3 types: trichophyton - skin, hair and nail infections, microsporum - skin and hair, epidermophyton - skin and nails. *ringworm is specifically a dermatophyte, cannot become systemic. Cryptococcosis: common in individuals suffering hiv/aids, usually limited to lungs but can spread throughout the body and form as pustules on the skin. Self-treatment for mild symptoms, not first occurrence, not pregnant or concerned about other sti. Gels can also be used (avoid during pregnancy , poses risk to unborn child) Response to therapy not affected by intercourse.