Diagnosing Coccidioides: Microscopic Characteristics and Laboratory Techniques

1. What are some of the microscopic and macroscopic characteristics of Coccidioides grown at 37 degrees Celsius?

Filamentous growth with no distinguishable structures, macroscopic: a complete absence of growth.

Small irregular structures with no endospores, macroscopic: growth pattern changes drastically.

Presence of unicellular structures with no spore formation, macroscopic: dark pigment formation around the colonies.

Large spherules filled with endospores are present, macroscopic: same as at 25Coccidioides immitis/posadasii still grow as a mould

Coccidioides grown at 37 degrees Celsius exhibit large spherules filled with endospores at the microscopic level, while macroscopically, their appearance remains the same as at 25 degrees Celsius. It is important to note that Coccidioides immitis/posadasii continue to grow as a mould under these conditions.

Explanation

Coccidioides grown at 37 degrees Celsius exhibit large spherules filled with endospores at the microscopic level, while macroscopically, their appearance remains the same as at 25 degrees Celsius. It is important to note that Coccidioides immitis/posadasii continue to grow as a mould under these conditions.

2. Does mold or tissue form?

Mold

Neither

Both

Tissue

Tissue forms as a result of specialized cells coming together to perform a specific function, while mold is a type of fungi that grows on organic matter. In the context of the question, the correct answer is tissue.

Explanation

Tissue forms as a result of specialized cells coming together to perform a specific function, while mold is a type of fungi that grows on organic matter. In the context of the question, the correct answer is tissue.

3. Which form can tissue or mold take?

Solid

Liquid

Mold

Tissue

Both tissue and mold can refer to physical forms, but in this case, the correct answer is specifically referring to mold as a form.

Explanation

Both tissue and mold can refer to physical forms, but in this case, the correct answer is specifically referring to mold as a form.

4. What are some of the media routinely used for Coccidioides?

Potato dextrose agar

Sabouraud dextrose agar

Grows well on most common laboratory media within 5 days

Blood agar

Coccidioides grows well on most common laboratory media within 5 days, making it easily identifiable and manageable in a laboratory setting. Other media like Potato dextrose agar, Sabouraud dextrose agar, and Blood agar are not commonly used for routine cultivation of Coccidioides.

Explanation

Coccidioides grows well on most common laboratory media within 5 days, making it easily identifiable and manageable in a laboratory setting. Other media like Potato dextrose agar, Sabouraud dextrose agar, and Blood agar are not commonly used for routine cultivation of Coccidioides.

5. What are some other tests for Coccidioides?

Urine culture testing

Nucleic acid (gene) probing, exoantigen testing, detection of antibodies, PCR

Blood type testing

MRI imaging

Tests for Coccidioides include methods to detect the presence of the fungus through various means such as nucleic acid probing, exoantigen testing, detection of antibodies, and PCR. Other tests like blood type testing, urine culture testing, and MRI imaging are not used specifically for diagnosing Coccidioides infection.

Explanation

Tests for Coccidioides include methods to detect the presence of the fungus through various means such as nucleic acid probing, exoantigen testing, detection of antibodies, and PCR. Other tests like blood type testing, urine culture testing, and MRI imaging are not used specifically for diagnosing Coccidioides infection.