Aspergillus
Echinocandins (caspofungin, micafungin) inhibit (1,3)-beta-D-glucan synthase and weaken the cell wall; active against Candida and Aspergillus and well tolerated because the target is absent in humans
What our notes say
- Echinocandins (caspofungin, micafungin) inhibit (1,3)-beta-D-glucan synthase and weaken the cell wall; active against Candida and Aspergillus and well tolerated because the target is absent in humans (Medical Virology & Mycology Paper Two 2022/2023 — MKU MBMM 3300 Questions & Answ)
- Galactomannan is a polysaccharide component of the Aspergillus cell wall. (Respiratory system pathology mcqs — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Aflatoxin B1 is a naturally occurring agent produced by some strains of *Aspergillus* (Oncopathology MCQs: Test Your Knowledge on Cancer Pathology)
- Cause-finding: HIV test, immunoglobulins, sweat chloride/CFTR (cystic fibrosis), ciliary function and nasal nitric oxide, Aspergillus IgE and precipitins, rheumatoid factor, alpha-1 antitrypsin. (Bronchiectasis)
- Empyema and bronchopleural fistula, massive haemoptysis, spread (brain abscess, meningitis), sepsis, amyloidosis (chronic), chronic cavity that becomes colonised by *Aspergillus* (aspergilloma), recurrent infection. (Lung Abscess)
- Grocott's Methenamine Silver (GMS) — fungal organisms (*Pneumocystis*, *Aspergillus*, *Candida*) (Pathology Practical Revision Guide)
Study material on Aspergillus
- 📚 MEDICAL VIROLOGY & MYCOLOGY — MCQ BANK
- Medical Microbiology III Exam: Viruses, Fungi & Diagnosis
- Medical Mycology Fundamentals: Fungi, Antifungal Drugs & More
- MEDICAL MYCOLOGY — LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
- Mycotoxins & Aflatoxins: Health Risks, Diagnosis & Management
- Lung Pathology — Must-Know
- Medical Virology & Mycology Paper Two 2022/2023 — MKU MBMM 3300 Questions & Answers
- CNS PATHOLOGY
- Respiratory system pathology mcqs
- MEDICAL MYCOLOGY — SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
- Medical Mycology Q&A: Fungal Pathogens, Drugs, & Diseases
Practice questions on Aspergillus
A neonate has tetany, a heart murmur, serum calcium of 6.3 mg/dL, and a VSD. Over the first year he develops Pneumocystis, Aspergillus, and viral upper respiratory infections. Most likely explanation?
- 22q- chromosome deletion
- Abnormal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein
- Defect in NADPH oxidase
- Failure of B cell maturation into plasma cells
Answer: A. Hypocalcemia (absent parathyroids) + cardiac defects + T-cell deficiency causing fungal and viral infections = DiGeorge syndrome. Chromosome 22q11 deletion causes failure of 3rd and 4th pharyngeal pouch development → absent thymus and parathyroids. ---
Aflatoxin is produced by ___ and is ___: Aspergillus flavus produces aflatoxin, a potent hepatocarcinogen. ---
- Sporothrix schenkii ; Hallucinogen
- Aspergillus flavus ; carcinogen
- Claviceps purpurea ; Hallucinogen
- Aspergillus niger ; Mycotoxin
- Aspergillus fumigatus ; carcinogen
Answer: B.
Aspergillosis is recognized in tissue by the presence of: Aspergillus shows septate hyphae with acute-angle (45°) branching in tissue. ---
- Metachromatic granules
- Pseudohyphae
- Septate hyphae
- Budding cells
- None of the above
Answer: C.
Which statement regarding aspergillosis is correct? Aspergillus causes a wide range of local infections (otomycosis, keratitis, onychomycosis, sinusitis) beyond invasive pulmonary disease; blood cultures are usually negative even in invasive disease, so c is false. ---
- Patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis rarely have eosinophilia
- Patients on parenteral corticosteroids are not at risk for invasive aspergillosis
- Pulmonary aspergillosis is frequently diagnosed by culturing Aspergillus from sputum/blood
- Clinical manifestations include local infections of the ear, cornea, nails, and sinuses
- Bone marrow transplant recipients are not at risk for invasive aspergillosis
Answer: D.