Modified MasteringMicrobiology with Pearson eText -- ValuePack Access Card -- for Microbiology with Diseases by Body System
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Chapter 12, Problem 1EDCS

(1)

Summary Introduction

To determine:

How a microbiologist could determine that the fungal infection in a patient’s lung was ascomycete instead of a basidiomycete. Why aspergillosis is emerging as a new disease. Why a powerful drug like voriconazole is effective against fungi and comparatively harmless to humans.

Case summary:

The patient was not in a good shape. He had nothing to do with his physique or to spend time at the gym but had to do with the ball of fungus that is present in his right lung. Aspergilloma is a fungal sphere that occurred by the single spore of Aspergillus (an ascomycete fungus). The mold had formed by the fungal hyphae mass that invades his lung airways and killing him slowly. This kind of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a rare but frequently increasing pathogen in immunocompromised people. Apart from difficulty in fever, chest pain, and breathing, the patient hated the most was coughing up of bloody mucus. He coughed up his lung pieces out.

Unfortunately, the disease has not peaked yet for the patient. The fungus Aspergillus invaded his blood and even progressed toward his brain. The symptoms and signs of invasive aspergillosis would be an excessive weakness, extreme tiredness, severe headaches, and delirium which were found to be his daily companion. One side of his body might also be paralyzed.

The patient spent four weeks in the hospital. The brain was being pierced by thin hyphal threads. His personality was almost worsened and he can’t able to get hold of himself. At any time, he would lapse into unconsciousness.

A new antifungal drug (voriconazole) brought the patient back to life. A medical miracle happened with the help of this drug, and the invasive mold was defeated.

(2)

Summary Introduction

To explain:

 Why aspergillosis is emerging as a “new” disease.

Case summary:

The patient was not in a good shape. He had nothing to do with his physique or to spend time at the gym but had to do with the ball of fungus that is present in his right lung. Aspergilloma is a fungal sphere that occurred by the single spore of Aspergillus (an ascomycete fungus). The mold had formed by the fungal hyphae mass that invades his lung airways and killing him slowly. This kind of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a rare but frequently increasing pathogen in immunocompromised people. Apart from difficulty in fever, chest pain, and breathing, the patient hated the most was coughing up of bloody mucus. He coughed up his lung pieces out.

Unfortunately, the disease has not peaked yet for the patient. The fungus Aspergillus invaded his blood and even progressed toward his brain. The symptoms and signs of invasive aspergillosis would be an excessive weakness, extreme tiredness, severe headaches, and delirium which were found to be his daily companion. One side of his body might also be paralyzed.

The patient spent four weeks in the hospital. The brain was being pierced by thin hyphal threads. His personality was almost worsened and he can’t able to get hold of himself. At any time, he would lapse into unconsciousness.

A new antifungal drug (voriconazole) brought the patient back to life. A medical miracle happened with the help of this drug, and the invasive mold was defeated.

(3)

Summary Introduction

To define:

Why voriconazole drug is effective against fungi and harmless to humans.

Case summary:

The patient was not in a good shape. He had nothing to do with his physique or to spend time at the gym but had to do with the ball of fungus that is present in his right lung. Aspergilloma is a fungal sphere that occurred by the single spore of Aspergillus (an ascomycete fungus). The mold had formed by the fungal hyphae mass that invades his lung airways and killing him slowly. This kind of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a rare but frequently increasing pathogen in immunocompromised people. Apart from difficulty in fever, chest pain, and breathing, the patient hated the most was coughing up of bloody mucus. He coughed up his lung pieces out.

Unfortunately, the disease has not peaked yet for the patient. The fungus Aspergillus invaded his blood and even progressed toward his brain. The symptoms and signs of invasive aspergillosis would be an excessive weakness, extreme tiredness, severe headaches, and delirium which were found to be his daily companion. One side of his body might also be paralyzed.

The patient spent four weeks in the hospital. The brain was being pierced by thin hyphal threads. His personality was almost worsened and he can’t able to get hold of himself. At any time, he would lapse into unconsciousness.

A new antifungal drug (voriconazole) brought the patient back to life. A medical miracle happened with the help of this drug, and the invasive mold was defeated.

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Modified MasteringMicrobiology with Pearson eText -- ValuePack Access Card -- for Microbiology with Diseases by Body System

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