Fungi Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Fungi and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| Turbidity Spinal fluid samples are either clear or turbid. Some sources use the following rating system for turbid CSF specimens: 0 = crystal clear fluid 1+ = faintly cloudy, smoky, or hazy 2+ = turbidity clearly visible but newsprint read easily through tube 3+ = newsprint not easily read through tube 4+ = newsprint cannot be seen through the tubeTurbidity may be caused by leukocytes, erythrocytes, fungi, bacteria, amoebae, contrast media, or aspiration of epidural fat during puncture.200 leukocytes/mm3 will cause slight turbidity (1+); increased numbers of WBCs will cause increased turbidity. At least 400 erythrocytes/mm3 are needed to produce 1+ turbidity.Occasionally CSF will have an oily appearance due to the presence of substances remaining in the CSF after radiologic (x-ray) procedures have been performed. | View Page |
| Match the organism on the right with the most suitable culture media on the left: | View Page |
| Advantages of a Biopsy Specimen Examining the biopsy allows the structure of the marrow to be viewed as it exists in the body. It provides essential diagnostic information in conditions that disrupt the normal architecture, such as metastatic carcinoma, myelofibrosis, Hodgkin's lymphoma and granuloma. A biopsy may also be used to evaluate cellularity and identify acid-fast bacteria or fungi in less time than is needed for routine culture methods. One disadvantage of the tissue sections prepared from the biopsy sample is that morphologic detail is lost. For this reason, in many cases imprint slides or smears from the aspirated sample are also examined. | View Page |
| Match each of the names of the fungi listed in the left column with its most likely associated disease listed in the right column. | View Page |
| Match each of the names of the hyaline molds listed with the environmental conditions or natural objects with which it is most likely associated. | View Page |
| Match the names of each of the species of hyaline molds listed with the appropriate category. | View Page |
| Match the names of each of the fungi listed below into the appropriate category indicating the classification of infection with which it is most commonly associated. | View Page |
| Several saprophytic, hyaline molds have microscopic characteristics that mimic the mold forms of the dimorphic fungi (Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, etc.). Each of the following can be used to differentiate the saprophytic from the dimorphic fungi except: | View Page |
| The most helpful feature in differentiating the Zygomycetes from the other hyaline molds in the clinical mycology laboratory is: | View Page |
| Match each hyaline mold from the drop-down list to its corresponding microscopic and colony description. The microscopic appearance of the molds are illustrated in the image on the right. | View Page |
| A presumptive identification of the four genera of slower growing pathogenic dematiaceous molds can be made by observing specific types of conidiation. Match the names of the species of dematiaceous pathogenic fungi with the corresponding microscopic features illustrated in the photomicrographs: | View Page |
| Match the name of each dematiaceous fungus listed in the drop-down box with its most likely disease. | View Page |
| Match the names of each of the fungi listed with its appropriate category. | View Page |
| Match the names of each of the fungi listed with its appropriate category depending upon whether the multi-celled macroconidia are divided by both longitudinal and transverse septa (dictyospores); or, are divided by only transverse septa. | View Page |
| Match the names of each of the fungi listed with its appropriate category indicating the degree of pathogenicity. | View Page |
| Of the following dematiaceous fungi, the black, suede-like colony illustrated here, reaching no larger than the size of a dime after 7 days incubation, most likely can be identified as: | View Page |
| The dematiaceous colony illustrated here grew to a diameter of 3 - 4 cm in 5 days. The dematiaceous fungus that can be ruled out is: | View Page |
| Saprophytic Cladosporium species may be difficult to differentiate from Cladosporium trichoides (Xylohypha bantianum) in culture as both produce chains of conidia separated by distinct scars or dysjuncters. Each of the following characteristics of Cladosporium trichoides are helpful in separating the two except: | View Page |
| The disease with which the dematiaceous fungus illustrated in this photomicrograph is most likely associated is: | View Page |
| Match each of the names of the dimorphic fungal species with its corresponding mold form as seen in the photomicrographs. | View Page |
| Match the names of the species of dimorphic fungi listed in the drop-down box with its corresponding yeast form as illustrated in the images. | View Page |
| Match each of the names of the dimorphic fungi listed with the names of the animals that most commonly may be related to transmission of disease to humans. | View Page |
| Match the name of each of the dimorphic fungi listed with the corresponding activity by which infection can be avoided. | View Page |
| Match each of the diseases listed in the drop-down box with the name of its most likely associated dimorphic fungal species. | View Page |
| The colonies shown in the upper image were obtained on blood agar from a sputum specimen after 10 days incubation at 30°C. The lower image is a photomicrograph of a lactophenol blue mount made from a portion of the colony. The diagnosis is: | View Page |
| The growth of the colonies shown in the upper image was obtained on blood agar from a sputum specimen after 8 days of incubation at 30°C. The lower image is a photomicrograph of a lactophenol blue mount made from a portion of the colony. The diagnosis is: | View Page |
| This image illustrates a lactophenol blue mount of a mold recovered after 7 days incubation of brain heart infusion broth. The large macroconidia suggests the mold form of Histoplasma capsulatum. However, there is the possibility that this mold represents its saprophytic counterpart, which is: | View Page |
| This image illustrates a lactophenol blue mount prepared from a mold recovered after 7 days incubation on brain heart infusion broth. The individual microconidia, each borne by a delicate conidiophore, suggests the mold form of Blastomyces dermatitidis. However, there is the possibility that this mold represents its saprophytic counterpart, which is called: | View Page |
| Procedures for the rapid culture confirmation of suspected colonies of B. dermatitidis, C. immitis and H. capsulatum recovered from clinical specimens include: | View Page |
| The ingredient added to culture media to enhance the recovery of the dimorphic fungi by preventing the overgrowth of more rapidly growing, saprophytic molds is: | View Page |
| The growth of the yeast-like colonies shown in the upper image was obtained on blood agar from a skin culture only in the area overlaid by virgin olive oil. The lower image is a photomicrograph of a lactophenol blue mount made from a portion of the colony. The disease associated with this fungus is: | View Page |
| Monocytes Defense Monocytes provide defense against mycobacteria, fungi, bacteria, protozoa and viruses. They respond to chemotactic factors, phagocytize and kill the microorganisms. | View Page |
| What Does Formaldehyde Do? Formaldehyde penetrates, and preserves tissue by cross-linking proteins. Formaldehyde is a disinfectant which kills most bacteria, fungi, and other micro-organisms. | View Page |
| Fungal hyphae Tubular filaments of fungi called hyphae may also be seen in a direct smear. Hyphae stain Gram positive and may branch or intertwine. Parasites can also be identified with the Gram stain, although it is not as sensitive as the special stains used for parasites. The Gram stain reaction and appearance can be used to identify most cellular material seen in a direct smear. The crystal violet may precipitate and can be seen on the slide. If the stain has precipitated, it must be refiltered before use. | View Page |
| Eosinophil description The cytoplasm of eosinophils is evenly filled by numerous orange-red granules of uniform size. They do not overlie the nucleus. The eosinophil granules contain numerous enzymes including peroxidase, phospholipase D, catalase, acid phosphatase, and vitamin B12-binding proteins. Their ability to kill bacteria is less than that of neutrophils. Their main purpose is to counteract parasitic infections and to participate in immune allergic reactions. They may also be increased in a variety of nonimmunologic inflammatory responses from bacteria and fungi causing chronic infections. Malignancies, collagen vascular diseases, and myeloproliferative disorders may also may be settings for prominent eosinophils. | View Page |