Textbook Question
_____ are tumorlike fungal infections.
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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 4
Because amphotericin B is toxic to humans, most clinicians prescribe it only for ______.
a. dermatophyte infections
b. Malassezia infections
c. systemic infections
d. mushroom poisoning
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Understand the nature of amphotericin B: it is an antifungal medication known for its effectiveness against serious fungal infections but also for its significant toxicity to human cells.
Recognize that due to its toxicity, amphotericin B is generally reserved for severe or life-threatening fungal infections rather than mild or superficial infections.
Review the options given: dermatophyte infections (usually superficial), Malassezia infections (often superficial or localized), systemic infections (involving internal organs or bloodstream), and mushroom poisoning (not treated with antifungals).
Recall that systemic fungal infections are serious and potentially fatal, requiring potent antifungal treatment despite the risks, making amphotericin B a common choice in these cases.
Conclude that clinicians typically prescribe amphotericin B primarily for systemic infections, where the benefits outweigh the risks of toxicity.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Amphotericin B Mechanism and Toxicity
Amphotericin B is an antifungal drug that binds to ergosterol in fungal cell membranes, creating pores that cause cell death. However, it can also bind to cholesterol in human cell membranes, leading to significant toxicity, especially nephrotoxicity, which limits its use to severe infections.
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Systemic Fungal Infections
Systemic fungal infections affect internal organs and can be life-threatening, often occurring in immunocompromised patients. Due to their severity, potent antifungals like amphotericin B are reserved for these infections despite their toxicity.
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Clinical Indications for Amphotericin B
Because of its toxicity, amphotericin B is typically prescribed only for serious systemic fungal infections rather than superficial infections like dermatophytes or Malassezia, or non-fungal conditions such as mushroom poisoning.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
AIDS patients usually die of bacterial, fungal, or microsporidial infections. Why do so many fungal infections appear in these individuals, and why are mycoses severe while fungi, for the most part, are benign residents of the environment?
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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?
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Textbook Question
Sporotrichosis is caused by the traumatic introduction of ______ into the skin (give genus and species).
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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.
_____ Chromoblastomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis are both caused by dark-pigmented ascomycetes.
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Textbook Question
Many antifungal agents target the compound _____ in fungal cytoplasmic membranes.
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