Mycology — MCQs
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Regarding fungal cell wall, all are true except:
Which of the following Trichophyton species is known to be zoophilic?
Aseptate hyphae is not seen in which of the following fungi?
Which of the following is the most common yeast pathogen?
Which of the following is NOT a virulence factor of Cryptococcus?
Mycotic abscesses are due to:
Histoplasma capsulatum, a dimorphic fungus found in soil heavily contaminated with bird droppings, is identified in tissue biopsies by which of the following characteristics?
Which of the following fungi is known to infect hair?
Aflatoxins are produced by which organisms?
The reproductive method by which fungi asexually produce rectangular spores by fragmentation of hyphae is known as what?
Mycology Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 521: Regarding fungal cell wall, all are true except:
- A. Contains chitin
- B. Prevent osmotic damage
- C. Does not contain peptidoglycan
- D. Azoles act on them (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Azoles act on them*** - **Azole antifungals** primarily target the **ergosterol synthesis** pathway, specifically inhibiting the **lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase** enzyme, which is located in the fungal cell membrane, not the cell wall. - While the cell wall is crucial for fungal viability, agents targeting it (e.g., **echinocandins**) are distinct from azoles. *Contains chitin* - The fungal cell wall is indeed a complex structure composed of various carbohydrates, with **chitin** being a major structural polysaccharide that provides rigidity. - Chitin is a **beta-(1,4)-linked polymer of N-acetylglucosamine** and is a unique component distinguishing fungal cells from animal cells. *Prevent osmotic damage* - The rigid fungal cell wall provides structural support and protects the cell from **environmental stresses**, particularly **osmotic lysis** in hypotonic environments. - It maintains the cell's integrity against internal **turgor pressure**, which is essential for fungal growth and survival. *Does not contain peptidoglycan* - Fungal cell walls are distinct from bacterial cell walls in their composition; they **do not contain peptidoglycan**. - **Peptidoglycan** is a characteristic component of bacterial cell walls, which is targeted by antibiotics like penicillins.
Question 522: Which of the following Trichophyton species is known to be zoophilic?
- A. T. tonsurans
- B. T. violaceum
- C. T. schoenleinii
- D. T. mentagrophytes (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***T. mentagrophytes*** - This species is well-known for being **zoophilic**, meaning it primarily infects animals but can be transmitted to humans. - It is a common cause of **tinea corporis** (ringworm of the body), **tinea pedis** (athlete's foot), and **tinea barbae**, often contracted from contact with infected pets or farm animals. *T. tonsurans* - This is an **anthropophilic** species, meaning it primarily infects humans. - It is a leading cause of **tinea capitis** (ringworm of the scalp) in the United States, particularly among children, and typically presents with a "black dot" appearance. *T. violaceum* - This is another **anthropophilic** species, endemic in various parts of the world, especially the Middle East and Africa. - It also causes **tinea capitis** and can lead to a characteristic "gray patch" type of infection. *T. schoenleinii* - This is an **anthropophilic** species historically associated with **favus**, a severe form of tinea capitis. - Favus is characterized by the formation of sulfur-yellow, cup-shaped crusts called **scutula** and can lead to permanent hair loss and scarring.
Question 523: Aseptate hyphae is not seen in which of the following fungi?
- A. Rhizopus
- B. Mucor
- C. Aspergillus (Correct Answer)
- D. Penicillium
Explanation: ***Correct: Aspergillus*** - *Aspergillus* species are characterized by **septate hyphae** and **acute angle branching**, distinguishing them from zygomycetes. - They cause diseases such as **allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)**, aspergilloma, and invasive aspergillosis. - Since Aspergillus has septate hyphae, **aseptate hyphae are NOT seen** in Aspergillus. *Incorrect: Rhizopus* - *Rhizopus* is a zygomycete with **broad, ribbon-like, aseptate hyphae** and **right-angle/irregular branching**. - Common cause of **mucormycosis (zygomycosis)**, especially in immunocompromised individuals. *Incorrect: Mucor* - *Mucor* is another zygomycete with **aseptate hyphae** and **wide-angle branching**. - Causes mucormycosis, leading to severe infections primarily in patients with **diabetic ketoacidosis** or **hematologic malignancies**. *Incorrect: Penicillium* - *Penicillium* species possess **septate hyphae** with characteristic **brush-like (penicillus-shaped)** fruiting bodies. - While some produce antibiotics, certain species like *Talaromyces marneffei* can cause systemic infections in immunocompromised patients.
Question 524: Which of the following is the most common yeast pathogen?
- A. Candida (Correct Answer)
- B. Mucor
- C. Rhizopus
- D. Cryptococcus
Explanation: ***Candida*** - **Candida** species, particularly *Candida albicans*, are the **most common cause of fungal infections** worldwide, ranging from superficial mucocutaneous infections to invasive systemic candidiasis. - They are part of the normal human microbiota and opportunistic pathogens, thriving in conditions like **immunocompromise**, antibiotic use, or presence of medical devices. *Mucor* - **Mucor** is a genus of mold, not yeast, and is known to cause **mucormycosis**, a severe and rapidly progressive fungal infection. - While dangerous, mucormycosis is **much rarer** compared to candidiasis. *Rhizopus* - **Rhizopus** is also a genus of mold, not yeast, and is another causative agent of **mucormycosis**, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. - Like Mucor, infections caused by Rhizopus are **less common** than those caused by Candida. *Cryptococcus* - **Cryptococcus neoformans** is a significant yeast pathogen, primarily causing **cryptococcosis**, which often manifests as meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients. - Although it is an important pathogen, its overall incidence is **lower than that of Candida** species.
Question 525: Which of the following is NOT a virulence factor of Cryptococcus?
- A. Polysaccharide capsule
- B. Ability to make melanin
- C. Production of protease (Correct Answer)
- D. Urease production
Explanation: ***Production of protease*** - While *Cryptococcus neoformans* can produce some proteolytic enzymes, **protease production is not considered a major or classical virulence factor** in standard medical microbiology literature. - Unlike the other three factors listed, proteases are not prominently featured as key virulence mechanisms in *Cryptococcus* pathogenesis for medical education purposes. - The primary virulence factors emphasized for *Cryptococcus* are the capsule, melanin, and urease. *Polysaccharide capsule* - The **polysaccharide capsule** is the MOST important virulence factor, protecting the yeast from phagocytosis and immune clearance. - It interferes with antigen presentation, antibody binding, and complement activation, making it crucial for survival in the host. *Ability to make melanin* - **Melanin production** protects *Cryptococcus* from oxidative stress, free radicals, UV radiation, and antifungal agents. - It contributes to survival in macrophages and persistence in the central nervous system. *Urease production* - **Urease production** enables *Cryptococcus* to cross the blood-brain barrier and colonize the central nervous system. - Urease hydrolyzes urea into ammonia, causing local alkalinization that facilitates CNS invasion and contributes to meningoencephalitis.
Question 526: Mycotic abscesses are due to:
- A. Bacterial infection
- B. Fungal infection (Correct Answer)
- C. Viral infection
- D. Mixed infection
Explanation: ***Correct: Fungal infection*** - The term "mycotic" is derived from the Greek word "mykes," meaning **fungus**. - Therefore, a **mycotic abscess** specifically refers to an abscess caused by a **fungal infection**. - This is a definitional term used in medical microbiology to distinguish fungal abscesses from other etiologies. *Incorrect: Bacterial infection* - Abscesses caused by bacteria are referred to as **bacterial abscesses** or **pyogenic abscesses**, not mycotic abscesses. - While bacteria are the most common cause of abscesses, the term "mycotic" specifically excludes bacterial etiology. *Incorrect: Viral infection* - Viruses typically cause **intracellular infections** and generally do not lead to abscess formation. - Abscesses are characterized by a collection of **pus** and necrotic tissue, which is not a typical pathological feature of viral infections. *Incorrect: Mixed infection* - While a mixed infection could involve multiple pathogens (bacterial + fungal), the term **"mycotic abscess"** specifically indicates a **fungal etiology** as the primary or defining cause. - If bacterial coinfection is present, it may be described separately, but "mycotic" emphasizes the fungal component.
Question 527: Histoplasma capsulatum, a dimorphic fungus found in soil heavily contaminated with bird droppings, is identified in tissue biopsies by which of the following characteristics?
- A. Yeasts with broad-based buds
- B. Single-cell yeasts with pseudohyphae
- C. Arthrospores
- D. Oval budding yeasts within macrophages (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Oval budding yeasts within macrophages*** - In tissue biopsies, **Histoplasma capsulatum** characteristically appears as small, **oval-shaped budding yeasts** that are predominantly found **intracellularly within macrophages**. - This intracellular location is a key diagnostic feature, as the organism can survive and multiply inside these phagocytic cells. *Yeasts with broad-based buds* - This description is characteristic of **Blastomyces dermatitidis**, another dimorphic fungus, which displays large yeasts with a single broad-based bud in tissue. - Unlike *Histoplasma*, **Blastomyces** yeasts are typically much larger and not necessarily intracellular. *Single-cell yeasts with pseudohyphae* - This morphology is characteristic of **Candida albicans**, particularly in its pathogenic forms within tissues. - **Candida** forms true hyphae and pseudohyphae, and its yeasts do not typically reside within macrophages in the same manner as *Histoplasma*. *Arthrospores* - **Arthrospores** (also called arthroconidia) are characteristic of fungi like **Coccidioides immitis**, which appear as barrel-shaped structures in laboratory cultures, but *spherules containing endospores* are seen in tissue. - **Histoplasma** does not form arthrospores in human tissue; it forms yeasts.
Question 528: Which of the following fungi is known to infect hair?
- A. Trichophyton (Correct Answer)
- B. Epidermophyton
- C. Malassezia furfur
- D. None of the options
Explanation: ***Trichophyton*** - This genus of fungi is a common cause of **dermatophytosis**, specifically **tinea capitis** and **tinea barbae**, which involve infection of the hair shafts. - **Trichophyton species** have specialized enzymes (keratinases) that allow them to digest keratin, the main protein component of hair. *Epidermophyton* - This genus primarily infects the **skin and nails**, causing conditions like **tinea cruris** (jock itch) and **tinea pedis** (athlete's foot), but typically **does not infect hair**. - Its species, such as *Epidermophyton floccosum*, are generally found in the stratum corneum and do not invade hair follicles. *Malassezia furfur* - *Malassezia furfur* is a yeast that is part of the normal skin flora but can cause superficial infections like **tinea versicolor** and **dandruff** (pityriasis capitis). - While it affects the scalp skin and can be associated with hair follicles, it **does not invade the hair shaft** itself. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because *Trichophyton* is indeed a well-established fungal genus known for infecting hair.
Question 529: Aflatoxins are produced by which organisms?
- A. Aspergillus flavus (Correct Answer)
- B. Aspergillus fumigatus
- C. Aspergillus niger
- D. Candida
Explanation: ***Aspergillus flavus*** - This fungus is the primary producer of **aflatoxins**, which are potent mycotoxins. - **A. flavus** commonly contaminates crops such as peanuts, corn, and tree nuts under warm, humid conditions. *Aspergillus niger* - While a common species of *Aspergillus*, **A. niger** is not known for producing aflatoxins. - It is often used in industrial applications for the production of citric acid and other enzymes. *Aspergillus fumigatus* - This species is a significant cause of **invasive aspergillosis** in immunocompromised individuals. - It produces other mycotoxins like **gliotoxin** but not aflatoxins. *Candida* - **Candida** is a genus of yeasts, many species of which are normal inhabitants of the human microbiota. - They are known to cause opportunistic infections like **candidiasis**, but they do not produce aflatoxins.
Question 530: The reproductive method by which fungi asexually produce rectangular spores by fragmentation of hyphae is known as what?
- A. Chlamydospore
- B. Blastospores
- C. Conidia
- D. Arthrospore (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Arthrospore*** - **Arthrospores** are asexual spores formed by the fragmentation of a pre-existing hypha into rectangular or barrel-shaped cells. - This method of reproduction is characteristic of some fungi, like *Coccidioides immitis*. *Chlamydospore* - **Chlamydospores** are thick-walled, resistant asexual spores formed by the fungal hyphae, typically under unfavorable conditions. - They are typically formed within or at the tip of hyphae, not by fragmentation into rectangular units. *Blastospore* - **Blastospores** are asexual spores produced by budding, characteristic of yeasts and some dimorphic fungi. - This involves the outgrowth of a small bud from a parent cell, which then detaches, rather than hyphal fragmentation. *Conidia* - **Conidia** are asexual spores produced exogenously at the tip of specialized hyphae called conidiophores. - Unlike arthrospores, conidia are not formed by fragmentation of existing hyphae but by asexual budding or mitosis at the conidiophore tip.
Practice by Chapter
Classification of Fungi
Practice Questions
Superficial Mycoses
Practice Questions
Dermatophytes
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Subcutaneous Mycoses
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Candidiasis
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Aspergillosis
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Cryptococcosis
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Zygomycosis
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Endemic Mycoses
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Opportunistic Fungal Infections
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Antifungal Agents
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Laboratory Diagnosis of Fungal Infections
Practice Questions
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