Fungal Diseases and Their Impact

Which of the following fungal diseases is endemic to the southwestern United States?

• Histoplasmosis

• Blastomycosis

• Coccidiomycosis

• Cryptococcal meningitis

What was the suspected source of the blastomycosis outbreak among Scouts in Wisconsin?

• A local amusement park

• An old building

• The Beaver Pond

• A chicken coop

What is a common clinical presentation of endemic mycoses?

• Chronic diarrhea

• Acute liver failure

• Asymptomatic or mild respiratory infection

• Severe skin rash

During the Indianapolis histoplasmosis outbreak, what was a suspected source of the fungus?

• A hospital

• A new tennis stadium construction site

• A local zoo

• A school

What was the cause of the 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak?

• Contaminated water supply

• Infected food products

• Airborne spores

• Contaminated steroid injections

Which fungus is most commonly associated with infections in immunocompromised patients?

• Aspergillus

• Rhizopus

• Penicillium

• Candida

What is the primary concern with 'sick building syndrome'?

• Allergic reactions to mold

• Direct toxicity of mold

• Increased energy costs

• Structural damage to buildings

What is the impact of white nose syndrome on bats?

• Increased reproduction rates

• Decreased insect consumption

• Decreased mortality rates

• Increased migration patterns

Which antifungal drug class disrupts the fungal cell wall synthesis?

• Cephalosporins

• Macrolides

• Penicillins

• Azoles

What environmental change has allowed coffee leaf rust to thrive in Central America?

• Increased sunlight

• Decreased soil nutrients

• Higher temperatures

• Increased rainfall