Mucormycoses — MCQs

A 19-year-old man with a history of type 1 diabetes presents to the emergency department for the evaluation of a blood glucose level of 492 mg/dL. Laboratory examination revealed a serum bicarbonate level of 13 mEq/L, serum sodium level of 122 mEq/L, and ketonuria. Arterial blood gas demonstrated a pH of 6.9. He is admitted to the hospital and given bicarbonate and then started on an insulin drip and intravenous fluid. Seven hours later when his nurse is making rounds, he is confused and complaining of a severe headache. Repeat sodium levels are unchanged, although his glucose level has improved. His vital signs include a temperature of 36.6°C (98.0°F), pulse 50/min, respiratory rate 13/min and irregular, and blood pressure 177/95 mm Hg. What other examination findings would be expected in this patient?

An investigator is studying growth patterns of various fungal pathogens. Incubation of an isolated fungus at 25°C shows branching hyphae with rosettes of conidia under light microscopy. After incubation at 37°C, microscopic examination of the same organism instead shows smooth, white colonies with rounded, elongated cells. Infection with the investigated pathogen is most likely to cause which of the following conditions?

A 27-year-old diabetic male rushes to the emergency department after finding his blood glucose level to be 492 mg/dL which is reconfirmed in the ED. He currently does not have any complaints except for a mild colicky abdominal pain. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), respirations are 15/min, pulse is 67/min, and blood pressure is 122/88 mm Hg. Blood is drawn for labs the result of which is given below: Serum: pH 7.0 pCO2 32 mm Hg HCO3- 15.2 mEq/L Sodium 122 mEq/L Potassium 4.8 mEq/L Urinalysis is positive for ketone bodies. He is admitted to the hospital and given intravenous bicarbonate and then started on an insulin drip and normal saline. 7 hours later, he is found to be confused and complaining of a severe headache. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 50/min, respirations are 13/min and irregular, and blood pressure is 137/95 mm Hg. What other examination findings would be expected in this patient?

A 26-year-old female with AIDS (CD4 count: 47) presents to the emergency department in severe pain. She states that over the past week she has been fatigued and has had a progressively worse headache and fever. These symptoms have failed to remit leading her to seek care in the ED. A lumbar puncture is performed which demonstrates an opening pressure of 285 mm H2O, increased lymphocytes, elevated protein, and decreased glucose. The emergency physician subsequently initiates treatment with IV amphotericin B and PO flucytosine. What additional treatment in the acute setting may be warranted in this patient?

A 47-year-old woman presents with blurry vision for the past 2 weeks. She says that symptoms onset gradually and have progressively worsened. She works as a secretary in a law firm, and now her vision is hampering her work. Past medical history is significant for psoriasis, diagnosed 7 years ago, managed with topical corticosteroids. Her blood pressure is 120/60 mm Hg, respiratory rate is 17/min, and pulse is 70/min. Her BMI is 28 kg/m2. Physical examination is unremarkable. Laboratory findings are significant for the following: RBC count 4.4 x 1012/L WBC count 5.0 x 109/L Hematocrit 44% Fasting plasma glucose 250 mg/dL Hemoglobin A1C 7.8% Which of the following would be the most likely cause of death in this patient?

A 19-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with complaints of blurry vision and headaches that started 2 days ago. She reports that she has been experiencing some facial pain, but she thought it was related to her toothache. She is also worried about a black spot that is increasing in size on her face over the last month. She expresses concerns about her frequency of urination. Recently, she had a runny nose and cough that resolved spontaneously. The patient was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus at 13 years of age. She is a non-smoker and drinks beer occasionally. Her blood pressure is 122/98 mm Hg and temperature is 37.2°C (98.9°F). The physical examination is normal with the exception of a black necrotic eschar lateral to the right nasal ala. She lost 2.7 kg (6 lb) since her last visit, which was 6 months ago. A routine urinalysis at the office is positive for glucose and ketones. What is the most likely cause of the patient’s symptoms?

A 58-year-old man presents with a high-grade fever, throbbing left-sided headache, vision loss, and left orbital pain. He says that his symptoms started acutely 2 days ago with painful left-sided mid-facial swelling and a rash, which progressively worsened. Today, he woke up with complete vision loss in his left eye. His past medical history is significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus, diagnosed 5 years ago. He was started on an oral hypoglycemic agent which he discontinued after a year. His temperature is 38.9°C (102.0°F), blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg, pulse is 120/min, and respiratory rate is 20/min. On examination, there is purulent discharge from the left eye and swelling of the left half of his face including the orbit. Oral examination reveals extensive necrosis of the palate with a black necrotic eschar and purulent discharge. Ophthalmic examination is significant for left-sided ptosis, proptosis, and an absence of the pupillary light reflex. Laboratory findings are significant for a blood glucose level of 388 mg/dL and a white blood cell count of 19,000 cells/mm³. Urinary ketone bodies are positive. Fungal elements are found on a KOH mount of the discharge. Which of the following statements best describes the organism responsible for this patient’s condition?

A 50-year-old HIV-positive male presents to the ER with a two-day history of fever and hemoptysis. Chest radiograph shows a fibrocavitary lesion in the right middle lobe. Biopsy of the afflicted area demonstrates septate hyphae that branch at acute angles. Which of the following is the most likely causal organism?

A 26-year-old man with HIV and a recent CD4+ count of 800 presents to his PCP with fever, cough, and dyspnea. He notes that he recently lost his job as a construction worker and has not been able to afford his HAART medication. His temperature is 102.6°F (39.2°C), pulse is 75/min, respirations are 24/min, and blood pressure is 135/92 mmHg. Physical exam reveals a tachypneic patient with scattered crackles in both lungs, and labs show a CD4+ count of 145 and an elevated LDH. The chest radiography is notable for bilateral diffuse interstitial infiltrates. For definitive diagnosis, the physician obtains a sputum sample. Which stain should he use to visualize the most likely responsible organism?

A 7-year-old boy with a history of cystic fibrosis is brought to the physician for evaluation of recurrent episodes of productive cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath over the past month. Physical examination shows coarse crackles and expiratory wheezing over both lung fields. Serum studies show elevated levels of IgE and eosinophilia. A CT scan of the lungs shows centrally dilated bronchi with thickened walls and peripheral airspace consolidation. Antibiotic therapy is initiated. One week later, the patient continues to show deterioration in lung function. A sputum culture is most likely to grow which of the following?