Coccidioides immitis

Ans. is ‘a’ i.e., Coccidioides immitis; ‘c’ i.e., Histoplasma

Endemic mycoses

.   Mycosis that is geographically restricted to specific area of endemicity.

.   Fungus causing endemic mycosis are : –

I. Coccidioidomycosis                 3. Blastomycosis

2. Histoplasmosis                         4. Paracoccidioidomycosis

Ans. is ‘a’ i.e., Spherules and endospores

Coccidioides immitis

.   It is a dimorphic fungus with septate hyphae.

.   Has two forms.

1. White fluffy mould on most culture media
2. Nonbudding spherical form-a spherule, in host tissue.

.   C. immitis reproduces in host tissue by forming small endospores within mature spherules.

.    Fungus is identified by its appearance by the formation of thick-walled barrel shaped spores, called arthrospores.

.    Infection is acquired by dust containing arthrospores.

.     Clinical manifestations

–    Most of the infections are asymptomatic Asymptomatic pulmonary nodule.

– Many persons develop a self limited influenza like fever —> Valley fever or desert rheumatism. – Acute pneumonia

–         Chronic fibrocavitatory pneumonia

–         Chronic dissemination:

Bone                                           Meninges

Skin                                             Joints Subcutaneous tissue

Ans. is ‘None’

Coccidioidomycosis , commonly known as cocci, Valley fever, as well as California fever,desert rheumatism, and San Joaquin Valley fever, is a mammalian fungal disease caused by Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii.

The scientific name for Valley fever is “coccidioidomycosis,” and it’s also sometimes called “San Joaquin Valley fever” or “desert rheumatism.”

The term “Valley fever” usually refers to Coccidioides infection in the lungs, but the infection can spread to other parts of the body in severe cases.

Ans. is ‘c’ i.e., Arthrospores

.     C. immitis is identified by its appearance (endosporulating spherules) and by the formation of thick walled, barrel-shaped spores, called arthrospores.

Remember

.     Blastomyces dermatitidis      —> Yeast phase has spherical or oval double walled cells with single broad based bud.

• Paracoccidioides brasiliensis —> Yeast phase has spherical thick walled cells with multiple buds.
• Coccidioides immitis               –> Tissue phase has spherule with numerous endospores.

Ans. is None

• All are dimorphic fungi

Ans. is ‘c’ i.e., Coccidioides

.  Arthrospores (arthroconidia) are formed by coccidioides.

Ans. is ‘d’ i.e., Rhinosporidium seeberi