Textbook Question
Discuss why it is difficult in many cases to determine the source of superficial fungal infections (i.e., from other humans, animals, or the environment).
4
views
Ch. 22 - Pathogenic Fungi
Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302
Not the one you use?Change textbookSelect a different textbook
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 3
Which of the following is not used to identify true fungal pathogens?
a. Growth at 25°C and 37°C to show dimorphism
b. GMS staining of infected tissues
c. Serological testing
d. Clinical symptoms alone
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the concept of true fungal pathogens. These fungi are capable of causing disease in healthy individuals and often exhibit dimorphism, meaning they can grow in two different forms depending on the temperature (usually mold form at 25°C and yeast form at 37°C).
Step 2: Review each option to see if it is a method used to identify true fungal pathogens. For example, option (a) involves checking for dimorphism by growing the fungus at two temperatures, which is a key diagnostic feature.
Step 3: Consider option (b), GMS (Gomori methenamine silver) staining, which is a histological stain used to visualize fungal elements in infected tissues, helping to confirm fungal infection.
Step 4: Evaluate option (c), serological testing, which detects antibodies or antigens related to fungal infections and is commonly used to support diagnosis of fungal diseases.
Step 5: Analyze option (d), clinical symptoms alone, which are often nonspecific and insufficient for definitive identification of true fungal pathogens without laboratory confirmation.
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
2mWas this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Dimorphism in Fungal Pathogens
Dimorphism refers to the ability of some fungi to grow in two different forms, typically as mold at 25°C and yeast at 37°C. This characteristic is used to identify true fungal pathogens because it reflects their adaptation to environmental and host conditions.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:40
Introduction to Pathogenic Toxins
GMS Staining in Fungal Identification
Grocott's Methenamine Silver (GMS) staining is a histological technique used to detect fungal elements in infected tissues. It highlights fungal cell walls, making it a valuable tool for diagnosing fungal infections in clinical samples.
Recommended video:
Guided course
02:10Introduction to Staining
Limitations of Clinical Symptoms in Fungal Diagnosis
Clinical symptoms alone are often insufficient to identify true fungal pathogens because many fungal infections present with nonspecific signs. Accurate diagnosis typically requires laboratory tests such as culture, staining, or serology.
Recommended video:
Guided course
02:58Limitations to Koch's Postulates
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Of the following fungi, which is usually transmitted from person to person?
a. Blastomyces dermatitidis
b. Coccidioides immitis
c. Tricophyton rubrum
d. Aspergillus fumigatus
2
views
Textbook Question
Given that superficial fungal infections are only on the surface, why is it necessary to even try to identify the source of infection?
2
views
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.
_____ Dermatophytoses are always contracted from the environment.
2
views
Textbook Question
Identify these fungal genera.
a.
b.
c.
Textbook Question
Many antifungal agents target the compound _____ in fungal cytoplasmic membranes.
2
views