Textbook Question
Match the following choices to the culture descriptions in questions 3 through 6:
a. Chlamydia
b. Coccidioides
c. Histoplasma
d. Mycobacterium
e. Mycoplasma
This pneumonia etiology requires cell culture.
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Ch. 24 - Microbial Diseases of the Respiratory System
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - The Microbial World and You18
- Ch. 2 - Chemical Principles20
- Ch. 3 - Observing Microorganisms Through a Microscope18
- Ch. 4 - Functional Anatomy of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells21
- Ch. 5 - Microbial Metabolism20
- Ch. 6 - Microbial Growth20
- Ch. 7 - The Control of Microbial Growth20
- Ch. 8 - Microbial Genetics19
- Ch. 9 - Biotechnology & DNA Technology20
- Ch. 10 - Classification of Microorganisms15
- Ch. 11 - The Prokaryotes: Domains Bacteria and Archaea14
- Ch. 12 - The Eukaryotes: Fungi, Algae, Protozoa, and Helminths17
- Ch. 13 - Viruses, Viroids, and Prions20
- Ch. 14 - Principles of Disease and Epidemiology21
- Ch. 15 - Microbial Mechanisms of Pathogenicity19
- Ch. 16 - Innate Immunity: Nonspecific Defenses of the Host20
- Ch. 17 - Adaptive Immunity: Specific Defenses of the Host20
- Ch. 18 - Practical Applications of Immunology20
- Ch. 19 - Disorders Associated with the Immune System19
- Ch. 20 - Antimicrobial Drugs19
- Ch. 21 - Microbial Diseases of the Skin and Eyes21
- Ch. 22 - Microbial Diseases of the Nervous System19
- Ch. 23 - Microbial Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems20
- Ch. 24 - Microbial Diseases of the Respiratory System20
- Ch. 25 - Microbial Diseases of the Digestive System20
- Ch. 26 - Microbial Diseases of the Urinary and Reproductive Systems19
- Ch. 27 - Environmental Microbiology20
- Ch. 28 - Applied and Industrial Microbiology19
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 24, Problem 5
Under what conditions can the saprophytes Aspergillus and Rhizopus cause infections?
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that saprophytes like Aspergillus and Rhizopus are fungi that normally live on dead or decaying organic matter and do not cause disease in healthy individuals.
Identify the conditions that compromise the host's immune system or physical barriers, such as immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus, prolonged antibiotic use, or trauma, which can allow these fungi to invade tissues.
Recognize that Aspergillus can cause infections like aspergillosis primarily in immunocompromised patients, while Rhizopus is known for causing mucormycosis, especially in diabetic or immunosuppressed individuals.
Note that environmental exposure to spores of these fungi is common, but infection occurs only when the host's defenses are weakened or when spores enter sterile body sites through wounds or inhalation.
Summarize that the key conditions for saprophytes like Aspergillus and Rhizopus to cause infections include immunodeficiency, disrupted physical barriers, and favorable environmental exposure.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Saprophytic Fungi and Their Normal Habitat
Saprophytes like Aspergillus and Rhizopus are fungi that normally live on dead organic matter, decomposing it. They are commonly found in soil, decaying vegetation, and indoor environments, where they do not usually cause disease in healthy individuals.
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Normal Microbiota
Opportunistic Infections and Host Immunity
These fungi can cause infections primarily in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with weakened immune systems due to illness, chemotherapy, or diabetes. When host defenses are impaired, saprophytes can invade tissues and cause opportunistic infections.
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Environmental and Physiological Conditions Favoring Infection
Infections by Aspergillus and Rhizopus occur under conditions like high spore exposure, tissue damage, or poor oxygenation. Factors such as trauma, burns, or uncontrolled diabetes create an environment conducive to fungal growth and invasion.
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07:21Reviewing the Environmental Factors of Microbial Growth
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Match the following choices to the culture descriptions in questions 3 through 6:
a. Chlamydia
b. Coccidioides
c. Histoplasma
d. Mycobacterium
e. Mycoplasma
Microscopic examination of a lung biopsy shows ovoid cells in alveolar macrophages. You suspect these are the cause of the patient’s signs and symptoms, but your culture grows a filamentous organism.
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Textbook Question
Your culture from a pneumonia patient appears not to have grown. You do see colonies, however, when the plate is viewed at 100x.
a. Chlamydia
b. Coccidioides
c. Histoplasma
d. Mycobacterium
e. Mycoplasma
1
views
Textbook Question
Match the following choices to the culture descriptions in questions 3 through 6:
a. Chlamydia
b. Coccidioides
c. Histoplasma
d. Mycobacterium
e. Mycoplasma
Microscopic examination of a lung biopsy shows spherules.
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Textbook Question
Complete the following table.
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Textbook Question
A patient has been diagnosed as having pneumonia. Is this sufficient information to begin treatment with antimicrobial agents? Briefly discuss why or why not.