Textbook Question
Indicate whether each statement is true or false. If the statement is false, change the underlined word or phrase to make the statement true.
_____ Coccidioidomycosis does not occur normally outside the Western Hemisphere.
Ch. 22 - Pathogenic Fungi
Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - A Brief History of Microbiology31
- Ch. 2 - The Chemistry of Microbiology28
- Ch. 3 - Cell Structure and Function39
- Ch. 4 - Microscopy, Staining, and Classification25
- Ch. 5 - Microbial Metabolism51
- Ch. 6 - Microbial Nutrition and Growth37
- Ch. 7 - Microbial Genetics51
- Ch. 8 - Recombinant DNA Technology21
- Ch. 9 - Controlling Microbial Growth in the Environment36
- Ch. 10 - Controlling Microbial Growth in the Body: Antimicrobial Drugs21
- Ch. 11 - Characterizing and Classifying Prokaryotes29
- Ch. 12 - Characterizing and Classifying Eukaryotes34
- Ch. 13 - Characterizing and Classifying Viruses, Viroids, and Prions23
- Ch. 14 - Infection, Infectious Diseases, and Epidemiology35
- Ch. 15 - Innate Immunity34
- Ch. 16 - Adaptive Immunity21
- Ch. 17 - Immunization and Immune Testing29
- Ch. 18 - Immune Disorders22
- Ch. 19 - Pathogenic Gram-Positive Bacteria25
- Ch. 20 - Pathogenic Gram-Negative Cocci and Bacilli28
- Ch. 21 - Rickettsias, Chlamydias, Spirochetes, and Vibrios25
- Ch. 22 - Pathogenic Fungi47
- Ch. 23 - Parasitic Protozoa, Helminths, and Arthropod Vectors44
- Ch. 24 - Pathogenic DNA Viruses23
- Ch. 25 - Pathogenic RNA Viruses30
- Ch. 26 - Applied and Industrial Microbiology29
- Ch. 27 - Microbial Ecology and Microbiomes22
Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 22, Problem 6
Which of the following is considered a classical opportunistic fungus?
a. Blastomyces
b. Histoplasma
c. Fonsecaea
d. Aspergillus
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the term 'classical opportunistic fungus.' These fungi typically cause infections primarily in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or on immunosuppressive therapy.
Step 2: Review each option's general characteristics and typical clinical presentations. For example, Blastomyces and Histoplasma are dimorphic fungi known for causing systemic infections in immunocompetent hosts, often considered primary pathogens rather than opportunists.
Step 3: Consider Fonsecaea, which is associated with chromoblastomycosis, a chronic cutaneous fungal infection, but it is not typically classified as an opportunistic pathogen.
Step 4: Recognize Aspergillus as a genus of molds that commonly cause opportunistic infections, especially invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients, making it a classical opportunistic fungus.
Step 5: Based on this analysis, identify which fungus fits the definition of a classical opportunistic pathogen by focusing on its typical host and infection pattern.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Opportunistic Fungi
Opportunistic fungi are organisms that cause infections primarily in immunocompromised individuals, taking advantage of weakened host defenses. They are not typically pathogenic in healthy people but can cause severe disease when immunity is impaired.
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Classical Opportunistic Fungi Examples
Classical opportunistic fungi include species like Aspergillus, Candida, and Cryptococcus, which commonly infect immunocompromised hosts. Recognizing these fungi helps differentiate them from primary pathogens that can infect healthy individuals.
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Distinction Between Primary Pathogens and Opportunistic Fungi
Primary pathogenic fungi, such as Blastomyces and Histoplasma, can cause disease in healthy hosts by overcoming normal immune defenses. In contrast, opportunistic fungi mainly infect those with compromised immunity, highlighting the importance of host status in fungal infections.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
The five more common agents of opportunistic fungal infections are _____ , _____ , _____ , _____ , and _____ (genus names).
Textbook Question
Ringworm is caused by a____
a. helminth
b. dermatophyte
c. dimorphic fungus
d. commensal fungus
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Textbook Question
How does mycotoxicosis differ from mycetismus?
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Textbook Question
Indicate whether each statement is true or false. If the statement is false, change the underlined word or phrase to make the statement true.
_____ Sporotrichosis is often caused by introduction of fungi beneath the skin by a thorn prick.
Textbook Question
Which pathogenic fungus is associated with bird droppings? _____ _____ (give genus and species).