Paracoccidioides brasiliensis — MCQs

A 34-year-old woman presents with multiple round, scaly patches on her chest and back. The lesions are hypopigmented and slightly pruritic. KOH preparation of skin scrapings shows short, angular hyphae. Which of the following best describes the causative organism's morphology in culture?

A 29-year-old woman comes to the military physician because of a 2-day history of fever, joint pain, dry cough, chest pain, and a painful red rash on her lower legs. Two weeks ago, she returned from military training in Southern California. She appears ill. Her temperature is 39°C (102.1°F). Physical examination shows diffuse inspiratory crackles over all lung fields and multiple tender erythematous nodules over the anterior aspect of both legs. A biopsy specimen of this patient's lungs is most likely to show which of the following?

A 73-year-old man presents to the office, complaining of “weird blisters” on his right hand, which appeared 2 weeks ago. The patient says that he initially had a rash, which progressed to blisters. He denies any trauma or known contact with sick people. He is worried because he hasn’t been able to garden since the rash appeared, and he was planning on entering his roses into an annual competition this month. His vital signs are stable. On physical exam, the patient has multiple bullae accompanied by red, papular lesions on his right hand, which progress to his forearm. The right axillary lymph nodes are swollen and tender. What is the treatment for the most likely diagnosis of this patient?

A 74-year-old man is admitted to the medical ward after he developed a fungal infection. He has aplastic anemia. The most recent absolute neutrophil count was 450/µL. An anti-fungal agent is administered that inhibits the fungal enzyme, (1→3)-β-D-glucan synthase, and thereby disrupts the integrity of the fungal cell wall. He responds well to the treatment. Although amphotericin B is more efficacious for his condition, it was not used because of the side effect profile. What was the most likely infection?

A 27-year-old female presents to her primary care physician because she is concerned about lighter colored patches on her skin. She recently went sunbathing and noticed that these areas also did not tan. Her doctor explains that she has a fungal infection of the skin that damages melanocytes by producing acids. She is prescribed selenium sulfide and told to follow-up in one month. Which of the following describes the appearance of the most likely infectious organism under microscopy?

A 35-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes mellitus comes to the emergency department for evaluation of a 1-month history of fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and a 3.6-kg (8-lb) weight loss. She has also had a cough for the last 2 months. She reports recent loss of pubic hair. The patient immigrated from the Philippines 7 weeks ago. Her mother has systemic lupus erythematosus. She has never smoked and does not drink alcohol. Her only medication is insulin, but she sometimes misses doses. She is 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall and weighs 49 kg (108 lb); BMI is 18 kg/m2. She appears lethargic. Her temperature is 38.9°C (102°F), pulse is 58/min, and blood pressure is 90/60 mm Hg. Examination shows decreased sensation to touch and vibration over both feet. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Serum studies show: Na+ 122 mEq/L Cl- 100 mEq/L K+ 5.8 mEq/L Glucose 172 mg/dL Albumin 2.8 g/dL Cortisol 2.5 μg/dL ACTH 531.2 pg/mL (N=5–27 pg/mL) CT scan of the abdomen with contrast shows bilateral adrenal enlargement. Which of the following is the most likely underlying mechanism of this patient's symptoms?

A 40-year-old farmer from Ohio seeks evaluation at a clinic with complaints of a chronic cough, fevers, and anorexia of several months duration. On examination, he has generalized lymphadenopathy with hepatosplenomegaly. A chest radiograph reveals local infiltrates and patchy opacities involving all lung fields. Fine needle aspiration of an enlarged lymph node shows the presence of intracellular yeast. A fungal culture shows the presence of smooth, thin-walled microconidia and tuberculate macroconidia. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 30-year-old woman who is 24-weeks pregnant presents to the emergency department with fever, painful urination, and headache. The patient's blood pressure is 111/67 mm Hg, the pulse is 95/min, the respiratory rate is 16/min, and the temperature is 38.3°C (101.1°F). Physical examination reveals bilateral tender inguinal lymphadenopathy and painful genital lesions. On closer inspection, the patient’s genital lesions contain clear fluid and measure 5–6 mm in diameter. What is the appropriate description of these lesions?

A 3-month-old girl is brought to the emergency department because of a 2-day history of progressive difficulty breathing and a dry cough. Five weeks ago, she was diagnosed with diffuse hemangiomas involving the intrathoracic cavity and started treatment with prednisolone. She appears uncomfortable and in moderate respiratory distress. Her temperature is 38°C (100.4°F), pulse is 150/min, respirations are 50/min, and blood pressure is 88/50 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 87%. Oral examination shows a white plaque covering the tongue that bleeds when scraped. Chest examination shows subcostal and intercostal retractions. Scattered fine crackles and rhonchi are heard throughout both lung fields. Laboratory studies show a leukocyte count of 21,000/mm3 and an increased serum beta-D-glucan concentration. An x-ray of the chest shows symmetrical, diffuse interstitial infiltrates. Which of the following is most likely to confirm the diagnosis?

A 4-month-old boy is brought to the physician by his father because of a progressively worsening rash on his buttocks for the last week. He cries during diaper changes and is more fussy than usual. Physical examination of the boy shows erythematous papules and plaques in the bilateral inguinal creases, on the scrotum, and in the gluteal cleft. Small areas of maceration are also present. A diagnosis is made, and treatment with topical clotrimazole is initiated. Microscopic examination of skin scrapings from this patient's rash is most likely to show which of the following findings?