Fungal Pathogenicity: Mechanisms and Host-Pathogen Interactions

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a virulence factor commonly found in pathogenic fungi?

Accepted Answer

Lipopolysaccharides

Answer

Proteinases

Answer

Adhesins

Answer

Phospholipases

Question 2

The outermost layer of the fungal cell wall, primarily composed of polysaccharides, is called the:

Accepted Answer

Glycocalyx

Answer

Cell membrane

Answer

Cytoplasm

Answer

Nucleus

Question 3

Which of the following is a type of dimorphic fungus?

Accepted Answer

Histoplasma capsulatum

Answer

Candida albicans

Answer

Aspergillus fumigatus

Answer

Trichophyton rubrum

Question 4

The process by which fungi acquire nutrients from their environment is known as:

Accepted Answer

Heterotrophy

Answer

Osmosis

Answer

Diffusion

Answer

Active transport

Question 5

Which of the following is a non-infectious mechanism of fungal disease?

Accepted Answer

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Answer

Candidiasis

Answer

Mycetoma

Answer

Aspergillosis

Question 6

The ability of pathogenic fungi to suppress host defenses is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Evasion

Answer

Dissemination

Answer

Colonization

Answer

Virulence

Question 7

Which structural polymer provides rigidity and strength to fungal cell walls?

Accepted Answer

Chitin

Answer

Mucopeptide

Answer

Lipoteichoic acid

Answer

Peptidoglycan

Question 8

What morphological characteristic distinguishes fungi from bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Hyphae

Answer

Planktonic growth

Answer

Cocci

Answer

Bacilli

Question 9

Which virulence factor is NOT found in Candida albicans?

Accepted Answer

Encapsulation

Answer

Adhesion

Answer

Germ tube formation

Answer

Secretion of hydrolytic enzymes

Question 10

Which immune cell type plays a central role in phagocytosing fungal pathogens?

Accepted Answer

Macrophages

Answer

Neutrophils

Answer

T cells

Answer

B cells

Question 11

Which antifungal drug belongs to the polyene class and is used to treat severe systemic fungal infections?

Accepted Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Caspofungin

Answer

Voriconazole

Question 12

What systemic manifestation is most frequently associated with invasive fungal infections?

Accepted Answer

Fever

Answer

Cough

Answer

Dysuria

Answer

Skin lesions

Question 13

What is the primary objective of antifungal therapy?

Accepted Answer

To eradicate the infection

Answer

To prevent future infections

Answer

To alleviate symptoms

Answer

To stimulate the immune system

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a common virulence factor found in pathogenic fungi?

Accepted Answer

Auxotrophic mutations

Answer

Adhesins

Answer

Toxins

Answer

Biofilms

Question 15

The primary mode of nutrition for most pathogenic fungi is:

Accepted Answer

Heterotrophy

Answer

Autotrophy

Answer

Mixotrophy

Answer

Symbiosis

Question 16

Which of the following is a common structural component of the fungal cell wall?

Accepted Answer

Chitin

Answer

Peptidoglycan

Answer

Teichoic acid

Answer

Lipopolysaccharide

Question 17

The process by which fungi invade and damage host tissues is known as:

Accepted Answer

Invasive growth

Answer

Colonization

Answer

Proliferation

Answer

Adhesion

Question 18

Which emerging fungal pathogen has shown significant azole resistance, prompting the development of new antifungal treatments?

Accepted Answer

Candida auris

Answer

Aspergillus fumigatus

Answer

Histoplasma capsulatum

Question 19

Which of the following are virulence factors commonly found in pathogenic fungi?

Accepted Answer

Adhesins

Accepted Answer

Toxins

Accepted Answer

Enzymes

Question 20

How do fungi develop resistance to antifungal drugs, and what are the clinical implications of this resistance?

Accepted Answer

Mutations in the target genes of antifungal drugs

Accepted Answer

Horizontal gene transfer

Answer

Antifungal resistance has no clinical implications

Answer

Increasing the dosage of antifungal drugs can overcome resistance

Question 21

Which of the following is a common mechanism by which fungi establish infection in the host?

Accepted Answer

Adhesion to host cells

Answer

Immunosuppression

Answer

Exotoxins

Answer

Hyphae formation

Question 22

What is the primary function of fungal virulence factors?

Accepted Answer

Promote colonization and tissue invasion

Answer

Neutralize host antimicrobial peptides

Answer

Inhibit phagocytosis

Answer

Elicit a protective immune response

Question 23

Which type of fungal structure is adapted for tissue penetration and nutrient acquisition?

Accepted Answer

Hyphae

Answer

Zygotes

Answer

Conidia

Question 24

What is the role of melanin in fungal pathogenesis?

Accepted Answer

Protects against host immune defenses

Answer

Provides structural support

Answer

Enhances virulence factor production

Answer

Facilitates spore dispersal

Question 25

Which type of host immune response is typically effective against fungal infections?

Accepted Answer

Cell-mediated immunity

Answer

Adaptive immunity

Answer

Innate immunity

Answer

Humoral immunity

Question 26

What is the mechanism by which dimorphic fungi switch from a mycelial to a yeast form?

Accepted Answer

Environmental cues

Answer

Nutritional changes

Answer

Genetic mutations

Answer

Host immune pressure

Question 27

Which type of fungal infection is characterized by granulomatous lesions and tissue necrosis?

Accepted Answer

Invasive aspergillosis

Answer

Candidiasis

Answer

Tinea pedis

Answer

Histoplasmosis

Question 28

What is the primary mode of transmission for Histoplasma capsulatum?

Accepted Answer

Inhalation of spores

Answer

Fomite transmission

Answer

Animal bites

Answer

Direct contact

Question 29

Which antifungal agent is typically the first-line treatment for disseminated candidiasis?

Accepted Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Itraconazole

Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Voriconazole

Question 30

What is the characteristic histopathological finding in cryptococcosis?

Accepted Answer

Mucoid capsule surrounding the yeast cells

Answer

Suppurative lesions

Answer

Granulomatous inflammation

Answer

Hyphae invasion