A 61-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his wife because of increasing confusion over the past 12 hours. His wife reports that he has a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus. His temperature is 38.8°C (101.8°F). He is confused and oriented only to person. Examination shows left periorbital swelling that is tender to palpation, mucopurulent rhinorrhea, and a black necrotic spot over the nose. There is discharge of the left eye with associated proptosis. A photomicrograph of a specimen obtained on biopsy of the left maxillary sinus is shown. Which of the following is the most likely causal organism?
Q52
A 16-year-old boy is brought to the physician by his host parents for evaluation of a progressively pruritic rash over his shoulders and buttocks for the past 6 months. He recently came to the United States from Nigeria to attend a year of high school. He reports that it has been increasingly difficult for him to read the whiteboard during classes. Physical examination shows symmetrically distributed papules 4–8 mm in diameter, excoriation marks, and patchy hyperpigmentation over his shoulders, waist, and buttocks. There is nontender inguinal lymphadenopathy and several firm, nontender subcutaneous nodules along the right iliac crest. Six skin snip biopsies are taken from the pelvic girdle, buttocks, and thigh, and are then incubated in saline. After 24 hours, microscopic examination shows motile microfilariae. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Q53
A 67-year-old male presents to his primary care physician for evaluation of fever and an unintended weight loss of 25 pounds over the last 4 months. He also has decreased appetite and complains of abdominal pain located in the right upper quadrant. The patient has not noticed any changes in stool or urine. He emigrated from Malaysia to the United States one year prior. Social history reveals that he smokes half a pack per day and has 5-7 drinks of alcohol per day. The patient is up to date on all of his vaccinations. Physical exam findings include mild jaundice as well as an enlarged liver edge that is tender to palpation. Based on clinical suspicion, biomarker labs are sent and show polycythemia and an elevated alpha fetoprotein level but a normal CA 19-9 level. Surface antigen for hepatitis B is negative. Ultrasound reveals a normal sized gallbladder. Given this presentation, which of the following organisms was most likely associated with the development of disease in this patient?
Q54
A 45-year-old man presents to the emergency department with abdominal distension. The patient states he has had gradually worsening abdominal distension with undulating pain, nausea, and vomiting for the past several months. The patient does not see a physician typically and has no known past medical history. He works as a farmer and interacts with livestock and also breeds dogs. His temperature is 98.7°F (37.1°C), blood pressure is 159/90 mmHg, pulse is 88/min, respirations are 15/min, and oxygen saturation is 99% on room air. Physical exam is notable for mild abdominal distension and discomfort to palpation of the upper abdominal quadrants. Laboratory values are ordered and are notable for a mild eosinophilia. A CT scan of the abdomen demonstrates multiple small eggshell calcifications within the right lobe of the liver. Which of the following is the most likely etiology of this patient's symptoms?
Q55
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?
Q56
A 42-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 3-week history of rash that began on his right ankle and gradually progressed up his calf. The rash is itchy and mildly painful. He has type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. He does not smoke or drink alcohol. His current medications include metformin, glipizide, and enalapril. He returned from a trip to Nigeria around 5 weeks ago. He works on a fishing trawler. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 65/min, and blood pressure is 150/86 mm Hg. Other than the rash on his calf, the examination shows no abnormalities. A picture of the rash is shown. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms?
Q57
A 16-year-old male with no significant past medical, surgical, or family history presents to his pediatrician with new symptoms following a recent camping trip. He notes that he went with a group of friends and 1 other group member is experiencing similar symptoms. Over the past 5 days, he endorses significant flatulence, nausea, and greasy, foul-smelling diarrhea. He denies tenesmus, urgency, and bloody diarrhea. The blood pressure is 118/74 mm Hg, heart rate is 88/min, respiratory rate is 14/min, and temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F). Physical examination is notable for mild, diffuse abdominal tenderness. He has no blood in the rectal vault. What is the patient most likely to report about his camping activities?
Q58
A 55-year-old man comes to the physician because of fever, fatigue, dry cough, headache, and myalgia over the past week. Two days ago, he developed several painful oral lesions and difficulty swallowing. He underwent kidney transplantation 3 years ago. His temperature is 38.2°C (100.7°F). Physical examination shows bilateral rales, hepatosplenomegaly, and multiple 1–2 cm ulcerative lesions with raised borders in the oral mucosa. A photomicrograph of a liver biopsy specimen is shown. Which of the following is the most likely causal pathogen?
Q59
A 47-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 3-day history of fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, cough, and chest pain. Physical examination shows diffuse inspiratory crackles over the left lung field. An x-ray of the chest shows hilar lymphadenopathy and well-defined nodules with central calcifications. Urine studies show the presence of a polysaccharide antigen. A biopsy specimen of the lung shows cells with basophilic, crescent-shaped nuclei and pericellular halos located within macrophages. This patient's history is most likely to show which of the following?
Q60
A 13-year-old boy is brought to the physician because of a 5-day history of a rash on his chest and back. His mother initially noticed only a few lesions on his back, but since then the rash has spread to his chest. His family returned from a trip to the Caribbean 2 weeks ago. His mother started using a new laundry detergent 8 days ago. He has type 1 diabetes mellitus controlled with insulin. His mother has Hashimoto thyroiditis and his brother has severe facial acne. His temperature is 37.2°C (99°F), pulse is 81/min, and blood pressure is 115/74 mm Hg. Examination of the skin shows multiple, nontender, round, white macules on the chest and trunk. There is fine scaling when the lesions are scraped with a spatula. There are no excoriation marks. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most likely underlying mechanism of this patient's symptoms?
Parasites/Fungi US Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 51: A 61-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his wife because of increasing confusion over the past 12 hours. His wife reports that he has a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus. His temperature is 38.8°C (101.8°F). He is confused and oriented only to person. Examination shows left periorbital swelling that is tender to palpation, mucopurulent rhinorrhea, and a black necrotic spot over the nose. There is discharge of the left eye with associated proptosis. A photomicrograph of a specimen obtained on biopsy of the left maxillary sinus is shown. Which of the following is the most likely causal organism?
A. Blastomyces dermatitidis
B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
C. Pneumocystis jirovecii
D. Aspergillus fumigatus
E. Rhizopus microsporus (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ### ***Rhizopus microsporus***
- The patient's presentation with **diabetes**, **periorbital swelling**, **black necrotic spot** on the nose, and confusion, along with the biopsy findings (implied to show broad, ribbon-like hyphae with infrequent septations and 90-degree branching, typical of mucormycosis), strongly points to an infection by *Rhizopus microsporus* (a genus within Mucorales).
- This organism causes **mucormycosis**, an aggressive fungal infection often seen in immunocompromised individuals, especially those with **diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)**, which creates an acidic environment favorable for *Rhizopus* growth and iron acquisition.
### *Blastomyces dermatitidis*
- *Blastomyces dermatitidis* typically causes a **pulmonary infection** with extrapulmonary manifestations often affecting the skin (verrucous lesions) or bone, but it usually doesn't present with acute, rapidly progressive rhinocerebral symptoms or a black necrotic lesion.
- On microscopy, *Blastomyces* appears as **large, broad-based budding yeasts**, which is distinct from the filamentous hyphae of *Rhizopus*.
### *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*
- *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* is a **bacterium** that can cause severe infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients, leading to conditions like **necrotizing fasciitis** or external otitis.
- While it can cause tissue necrosis and confusion, the presence of a **black necrotic spot** on the nose and the implied fungal biopsy findings (hyphae) steer away from a bacterial cause in this specific presentation.
### *Pneumocystis jirovecii*
- *Pneumocystis jirovecii* causes **Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)**, primarily in immunocompromised individuals (e.g., HIV/AIDS, transplant recipients).
- It typically manifests as **dyspnea, cough, and fever**, and rarely causes extrapulmonary disease, especially not rhinocerebral mucormycosis-like symptoms or a black necrotic spot.
### *Aspergillus fumigatus*
- While *Aspergillus fumigatus* can cause severe invasive infections, including **invasive aspergillosis** in immunocompromised patients, its growth pattern on histology (hyphae with **acute angle (45-degree) branching** and septations) differs from the broad, ribbon-like, aseptate hyphae with 90-degree branching characteristic of Mucorales.
- Clinical manifestations can include sinusitis and rhinocerebral involvement, but the combination of features and the implied histology pattern are more specific for mucormycosis.
Question 52: A 16-year-old boy is brought to the physician by his host parents for evaluation of a progressively pruritic rash over his shoulders and buttocks for the past 6 months. He recently came to the United States from Nigeria to attend a year of high school. He reports that it has been increasingly difficult for him to read the whiteboard during classes. Physical examination shows symmetrically distributed papules 4–8 mm in diameter, excoriation marks, and patchy hyperpigmentation over his shoulders, waist, and buttocks. There is nontender inguinal lymphadenopathy and several firm, nontender subcutaneous nodules along the right iliac crest. Six skin snip biopsies are taken from the pelvic girdle, buttocks, and thigh, and are then incubated in saline. After 24 hours, microscopic examination shows motile microfilariae. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Cysticercosis
B. Onchocerciasis (Correct Answer)
C. Lymphatic filariasis
D. Cutaneous larva migrans
E. Trichuriasis
Explanation: ***Onchocerciasis***
- The presentation of **pruritic rash with papules**, **subcutaneous nodules** (onchocercomas), and **visual difficulties** (river blindness) in an individual from an endemic area (Nigeria) is classic for **onchocerciasis**.
- The presence of **motile microfilariae in skin snips** after saline incubation is a diagnostic hallmark of this condition, caused by *Onchocerca volvulus*.
*Cysticercosis*
- This condition is caused by the larval stage of *Taenia solium* and typically presents with **calcified lesions** in the muscle and brain (neurocysticercosis), which can lead to seizures.
- It does not typically cause the generalized pruritic rash, subcutaneous nodules, or ocular symptoms described, nor would **motile microfilariae** be found in skin snips.
*Lymphatic filariasis*
- Caused by *Wuchereria bancrofti* or *Brugia malayi*, this disease is characterized by **lymphedema** and **hydrocele**, eventually leading to **elephantiasis**.
- While it involves filarial worms and can cause lymphadenopathy, it does not typically manifest with the described rash, vision problems, or **subcutaneous nodules** (onchocercomas).
*Cutaneous larva migrans*
- This condition, caused by hookworm larvae (e.g., *Ancylostoma braziliense*), presents as a **serpiginous, intensely pruritic eruption** where the larvae migrate under the skin.
- It does not cause subcutaneous nodules, generalized papular rash, or ocular involvement, and skin snips would not show **microfilariae**.
*Trichuriasis*
- Caused by the **whipworm** (*Trichuris trichiura*), this is an intestinal nematode infection that can lead to **abdominal pain**, **diarrhea**, **rectal prolapse**, and **anemia**.
- It does not present with skin lesions, subcutaneous nodules, or visual impairment, and diagnosis is typically made by finding **ova in stool samples**, not microfilariae in skin snips.
Question 53: A 67-year-old male presents to his primary care physician for evaluation of fever and an unintended weight loss of 25 pounds over the last 4 months. He also has decreased appetite and complains of abdominal pain located in the right upper quadrant. The patient has not noticed any changes in stool or urine. He emigrated from Malaysia to the United States one year prior. Social history reveals that he smokes half a pack per day and has 5-7 drinks of alcohol per day. The patient is up to date on all of his vaccinations. Physical exam findings include mild jaundice as well as an enlarged liver edge that is tender to palpation. Based on clinical suspicion, biomarker labs are sent and show polycythemia and an elevated alpha fetoprotein level but a normal CA 19-9 level. Surface antigen for hepatitis B is negative. Ultrasound reveals a normal sized gallbladder. Given this presentation, which of the following organisms was most likely associated with the development of disease in this patient?
A. Naked DNA virus
B. Enveloped DNA virus
C. Curved gram-negative bacteria
D. Acute angle branching fungus
E. Trematode from undercooked fish (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Trematode from undercooked fish***
- The patient's symptoms (fever, RUQ pain, weight loss, jaundice, hepatomegaly, elevated **AFP**, and normal CA 19-9) point strongly towards **hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)**.
- The history of emigration from Malaysia and the elevated **alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)** despite negative hepatitis B antigen, suggest a parasitic infection, specifically a liver fluke (trematode), as a risk factor for HCC. **Clonorchis sinensis** and **Opisthorchis viverrini** are trematodes acquired from undercooked freshwater fish, endemic to Southeast Asia, and are known to cause cholangiocarcinoma and, less commonly, HCC.
*Naked DNA virus*
- This typically refers to viruses like **human papillomavirus (HPV)** or **adenovirus**, which are not primary causes of the described liver pathology or HCC with this specific presentation.
- While some naked DNA viruses can cause human disease, they are not typically linked to the patient's specific symptoms and lab findings (elevated AFP) in the context of liver cancer from a Southeast Asian background.
*Enveloped DNA virus*
- This category includes viruses like **Herpesviruses** and **Hepatitis B virus (HBV)**. While HBV is a major cause of HCC, the patient's hepatitis B surface antigen is negative, ruling out active or chronic HBV infection as the direct cause in this case.
- Other enveloped DNA viruses do not commonly cause this specific cluster of symptoms and risk factors for HCC.
*Curved gram-negative bacteria*
- This description often refers to bacteria like **Campylobacter** or **Helicobacter pylori**. These can cause gastrointestinal issues but are not typically associated with liver masses, jaundice, and elevated AFP in the context of HCC.
- They do not explain the patient's risk factors or presentation that strongly suggests chronic liver inflammation leading to cancer.
*Acute angle branching fungus*
- This refers to fungi like **Aspergillus**, which can cause invasive infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
- While Aspergillus can cause pulmonary infections and, less commonly, disseminate to other organs including the liver, it does not typically present with the described risk factors (Southeast Asian origin, undercooked fish consumption) or lab findings (elevated AFP) for HCC, nor does it fit the general clinical picture.
Question 54: A 45-year-old man presents to the emergency department with abdominal distension. The patient states he has had gradually worsening abdominal distension with undulating pain, nausea, and vomiting for the past several months. The patient does not see a physician typically and has no known past medical history. He works as a farmer and interacts with livestock and also breeds dogs. His temperature is 98.7°F (37.1°C), blood pressure is 159/90 mmHg, pulse is 88/min, respirations are 15/min, and oxygen saturation is 99% on room air. Physical exam is notable for mild abdominal distension and discomfort to palpation of the upper abdominal quadrants. Laboratory values are ordered and are notable for a mild eosinophilia. A CT scan of the abdomen demonstrates multiple small eggshell calcifications within the right lobe of the liver. Which of the following is the most likely etiology of this patient's symptoms?
A. Echinococcus granulosus (Correct Answer)
B. Enterobius vermicularis
C. Necator americanus
D. Taenia solium
E. Taenia saginata
Explanation: ***Echinococcus granulosus***
- The patient's history of working with **livestock** and dogs, combined with **abdominal pain**, **eosinophilia**, and characteristic **eggshell calcifications** in the liver on CT, is highly suggestive of **hydatid disease** caused by *Echinococcus granulosus*.
- This parasite's larval stage forms **hydatid cysts** primarily affecting the liver and lungs, which can grow slowly and cause symptoms as they expand.
*Enterobius vermicularis*
- This parasite causes **pinworm infection**, primarily manifesting as **perianal itching**, especially at night.
- It does not typically cause abdominal distension, liver cysts, or eosinophilia to this extent, and is diagnosed via the **scotch tape test**.
*Necator americanus*
- This is a type of **hookworm** that primarily causes **iron deficiency anemia** due to chronic blood loss in the GI tract.
- Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, and pallor, but not liver cysts with eggshell calcifications or significant abdominal distension as described.
*Taenia solium*
- **Pork tapeworm** infection can cause **cysticercosis** if humans ingest the eggs, leading to cysts in muscles, subcutaneous tissue, and the brain (neurocysticercosis).
- While it can cause cysts, the classic "eggshell calcifications" in the liver are not typical for *Taenia solium* infection, and the symptoms described fit *Echinococcus* better.
*Taenia saginata*
- This is the **beef tapeworm**, which causes relatively mild symptoms in humans, often limited to mild abdominal discomfort or passage of proglottids in stool.
- It does not cause tissue cysts like those seen in cysticercosis from *T. solium* or hydatid cysts from *Echinococcus*.
Question 55: 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. Septate hyphae with acute-angle branching
B. Spherules filled with endospores (Correct Answer)
C. Broad-based budding yeast
D. Encapsulated yeast with narrow-based budding
E. Oval, budding yeast with pseudohyphae
Explanation: **Spherules filled with endospores**
- The patient's symptoms (fever, joint pain, dry cough, chest pain, erythema nodosum on legs) combined with her travel history to **Southern California** are highly suggestive of **Coccidioidomycosis** ("Valley Fever").
- A biopsy of affected lung tissue in coccidioidomycosis typically reveals **spherules** (thick-walled structures) containing numerous **endospores**, which are characteristic of the tissue phase of *Coccidioides immitis/posadasii*.
*Septate hyphae with acute-angle branching*
- This morphology is characteristic of **Aspergillus** species, which can cause opportunistic infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
- While it can cause lung infections, the clinical presentation and geographic exposure do not point towards aspergillosis as the most likely diagnosis.
*Broad-based budding yeast*
- This describes the characteristic morphology of *Blastomyces dermatitidis*, the causative agent of **Blastomycosis**.
- **Blastomycosis** is typically found in the Great Lakes region, Ohio, Mississippi River valleys, and southeastern United States, not Southern California.
*Encapsulated yeast with narrow-based budding*
- This describes **Cryptococcus neoformans**, which appears as an encapsulated yeast with narrow-based budding in tissue.
- While it can cause pulmonary disease, the classic presentation (erythema nodosum, acute illness after Southern California exposure) is not consistent with **cryptococcosis**, which typically presents subacutely in immunocompromised patients.
*Oval, budding yeast with pseudohyphae*
- This morphology is characteristic of *Candida albicans*, which commonly causes mucocutaneous infections and can cause systemic candidiasis, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
- The clinical picture of a healthy young woman with exposure in Southern California does not fit with a typical **Candida** infection.
Question 56: A 42-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 3-week history of rash that began on his right ankle and gradually progressed up his calf. The rash is itchy and mildly painful. He has type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. He does not smoke or drink alcohol. His current medications include metformin, glipizide, and enalapril. He returned from a trip to Nigeria around 5 weeks ago. He works on a fishing trawler. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 65/min, and blood pressure is 150/86 mm Hg. Other than the rash on his calf, the examination shows no abnormalities. A picture of the rash is shown. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms?
A. Superficial thrombophlebitis
B. Swimmer's itch
C. Cutaneous larva migrans (Correct Answer)
D. Contact dermatitis
E. Tinea
Explanation: **Cutaneous larva migrans**
- This patient's history of travel to Nigeria, working on a fishing trawler (exposure to contaminated soil/sand), and a **serpiginous, intensely pruritic rash** on his lower extremity is highly consistent with **cutaneous larva migrans**.
- The rash is caused by the migration of **hookworm larvae** (commonly *Ancylostoma braziliense*) under the skin, forming characteristic winding tracks.
*Superficial thrombophlebitis*
- While it can cause rash and pain, **superficial thrombophlebitis** typically presents as a red, tender, palpable cord along a superficial vein and usually does not migrate in a serpiginous pattern.
- It is often associated with venous stasis, trauma, or hypercoagulable states, which are not explicitly highlighted as primary features here.
*Swimmer's itch*
- **Swimmer's itch** (cercarial dermatitis) is caused by schistosome parasites from freshwater snails and results in itchy papules or pustules, typically after swimming.
- The rash is usually more widespread, not a single migrating lesion, and the patient's exposure was likely related to contaminated soil, not freshwater swimming.
*Contact dermatitis*
- **Contact dermatitis** is an inflammatory skin reaction to an allergen or irritant, typically presenting as erythema, vesicles, and pruritus.
- It usually has a more defined or localized pattern corresponding to the area of contact with the offending agent, rather than a migratory, linear track.
*Tinea*
- **Tinea** (dermatophytosis) is a fungal infection that typically causes an annular (ring-shaped) lesion with central clearing and a scaly, erythematous border.
- While itchy, its morphology and migratory pattern do not match the description of this patient's rash.
Question 57: A 16-year-old male with no significant past medical, surgical, or family history presents to his pediatrician with new symptoms following a recent camping trip. He notes that he went with a group of friends and 1 other group member is experiencing similar symptoms. Over the past 5 days, he endorses significant flatulence, nausea, and greasy, foul-smelling diarrhea. He denies tenesmus, urgency, and bloody diarrhea. The blood pressure is 118/74 mm Hg, heart rate is 88/min, respiratory rate is 14/min, and temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F). Physical examination is notable for mild, diffuse abdominal tenderness. He has no blood in the rectal vault. What is the patient most likely to report about his camping activities?
A. The patient camped as a side excursion from a cruise ship.
B. The patient camped in Mexico.
C. This has been going on for months.
D. Recent antibiotic prescription
E. Collecting water from a stream, without boiling or chemical treatment (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Collecting water from a stream, without boiling or chemical treatment***
- The patient's symptoms of **greasy, foul-smelling diarrhea**, flatulence, and nausea following a camping trip are highly suggestive of **giardiasis**.
- **Giardiasis** is commonly acquired through the consumption of untreated **contaminated water**, often from streams or lakes in wilderness areas.
*The patient camped as a side excursion from a cruise ship.*
- While cruise ships can be sources of infectious outbreaks, the specific symptoms of **greasy, foul-smelling diarrhea** are less typical for common cruise-associated infections.
- Furthermore, cruise-related illnesses are usually associated with cruise ship facilities rather than **wilderness camping** directly.
*The patient camped in Mexico.*
- Traveling to Mexico is a risk factor for **traveler's diarrhea**, often caused by bacterial pathogens like ***E. coli***.
- However, typical traveler's diarrhea tends to be watery, occasionally bloody, and often presents with fever, which is not consistent with the patient's symptoms of **greasy, foul-smelling diarrhea** and absence of fever.
*This has been going on for months.*
- The symptoms are described as **new** and have developed over the past 5 days following a recent camping trip, indicating an **acute onset**, not a chronic condition.
- Chronic diarrhea lasting for months would point towards other persistent or long-term gastrointestinal issues, not an acute infection from a recent exposure.
*Recent antibiotic prescription*
- Recent antibiotic use can lead to **antibiotic-associated diarrhea**, most notably ***Clostridioides difficile*** infection.
- However, this patient has no history of recent antibiotic prescription, and the specific symptom of **greasy, foul-smelling diarrhea** is not characteristic of *C. difficile* infection.
Question 58: A 55-year-old man comes to the physician because of fever, fatigue, dry cough, headache, and myalgia over the past week. Two days ago, he developed several painful oral lesions and difficulty swallowing. He underwent kidney transplantation 3 years ago. His temperature is 38.2°C (100.7°F). Physical examination shows bilateral rales, hepatosplenomegaly, and multiple 1–2 cm ulcerative lesions with raised borders in the oral mucosa. A photomicrograph of a liver biopsy specimen is shown. Which of the following is the most likely causal pathogen?
A. Aspergillus fumigatus
B. Blastomyces dermatitidis
C. Coccidioides immitis
D. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
E. Histoplasma capsulatum (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Histoplasma capsulatum***
- The patient's presentation with **fever, fatigue, dry cough, headache, myalgia, respiratory symptoms (bilateral rales), hepatosplenomegaly**, and **painful oral ulcerative lesions** in an **immunocompromised individual (kidney transplant recipient)** is highly suggestive of **disseminated histoplasmosis**.
- The photomicrograph shows numerous **small, intracellular yeast forms within macrophages**, which is the pathognomonic finding for *Histoplasma capsulatum*.
- *Histoplasma* is endemic to the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and commonly causes disseminated disease in immunocompromised patients.
*Aspergillus fumigatus*
- *Aspergillus* typically causes invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients, presenting with **fever and cough**, but generally does not cause **oral ulcerative lesions** or **hepatosplenomegaly** in this disseminated pattern.
- Microscopically, *Aspergillus* appears as **septate hyphae with acute-angle branching (45°)**, which is inconsistent with the intracellular yeasts in the image provided.
*Blastomyces dermatitidis*
- *Blastomyces* can cause pulmonary disease and disseminate to the **skin and bones**, but **oral lesions** and **hepatosplenomegaly** are less common presenting features.
- The yeast forms of *Blastomyces* are characteristically **large (8-15 μm), broad-based budding yeasts**, which are much larger than the small organisms seen in the photomicrograph.
*Coccidioides immitis*
- *Coccidioidomycosis* is endemic to the southwestern U.S. and can cause pulmonary symptoms, but disseminated disease typically involves the **skin, bones, joints, and meninges**, with **oral lesions and hepatosplenomegaly** being less frequent manifestations.
- Microscopically, *Coccidioides* is characterized by **large spherules (20-80 μm) containing endospores**, which are not seen in the provided image showing small intracellular organisms.
*Paracoccidioides brasiliensis*
- This fungus is endemic to Central and South America and can cause oral lesions that are typically **mulberry-like** or **verrucous** in appearance, with disseminated disease often affecting the lungs, lymph nodes, and mucosal surfaces.
- Microscopic examination reveals **multiple budding yeasts** with a characteristic **"ship's wheel" or "pilot's wheel" appearance**, which differs significantly from the small intracellular yeasts within macrophages shown in the image.
Question 59: A 47-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 3-day history of fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, cough, and chest pain. Physical examination shows diffuse inspiratory crackles over the left lung field. An x-ray of the chest shows hilar lymphadenopathy and well-defined nodules with central calcifications. Urine studies show the presence of a polysaccharide antigen. A biopsy specimen of the lung shows cells with basophilic, crescent-shaped nuclei and pericellular halos located within macrophages. This patient's history is most likely to show which of the following?
A. Visit to Arizona desert
B. Recent trip to Brazil
C. Previous mycobacterial infection
D. Exposure to bat droppings (Correct Answer)
E. Treatment with inhaled glucocorticoids
Explanation: ***Exposure to bat droppings***
- The clinical presentation, including fever, cough, chest pain, **hilar lymphadenopathy**, **nodules with central calcifications**, and **intracellular encapsulated yeasts** in macrophages, is classic for **histoplasmosis**.
- **Histoplasma capsulatum** is endemic to the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and is transmitted through inhalation of spores from soil contaminated with **bat or bird droppings**.
*Visit to Arizona desert*
- Exposure in the **Arizona desert** is associated with **coccidioidomycosis** (Valley Fever), which presents with similar pulmonary symptoms but is caused by Coccidioides immitis/posadasii, characterized by **spherules** containing endospores.
- While it can cause hilar lymphadenopathy and nodules, the characteristic intracellular budding yeasts within macrophages and the polysaccharide antigen in urine point away from coccidioidomycosis.
*Recent trip to Brazil*
- A trip to **Brazil** might suggest diseases like **Paracoccidioidomycosis**, which presents with chronic mucocutaneous or disseminated lesions, or various tropical infections, but is not typically characterized by the specific pulmonary and microscopic findings described here.
- The histopathological findings of **intracellular yeasts with pericellular halos** (consistent with Histoplasma) would not be the primary finding for paracoccidioidomycosis, which generally shows characteristic **"pilot wheel"** or multiple budding yeasts.
*Previous mycobacterial infection*
- A previous **mycobacterial infection** would lead to tuberculosis, characterized by **acid-fast bacilli** and granulomas with **caseating necrosis**, which is different from the described intracellular yeasts and polysaccharide antigen.
- While tuberculosis can cause hilar lymphadenopathy and pulmonary nodules, the given microscopic description of cells with basophilic nuclei and pericellular halos within macrophages does not fit Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
*Treatment with inhaled glucocorticoids*
- Inhaled glucocorticoids are used to treat conditions like asthma or COPD and, while prolonged use can rarely predispose to **opportunistic fungal infections** (e.g., aspergillosis, candidiasis), they are not a cause of this specific clinical presentation or the microbiological findings of histoplasmosis.
- The use of inhaled steroids would not explain the geographic exposure, hilar lymphadenopathy, or the specific appearance of the fungal elements within macrophages described.
Question 60: A 13-year-old boy is brought to the physician because of a 5-day history of a rash on his chest and back. His mother initially noticed only a few lesions on his back, but since then the rash has spread to his chest. His family returned from a trip to the Caribbean 2 weeks ago. His mother started using a new laundry detergent 8 days ago. He has type 1 diabetes mellitus controlled with insulin. His mother has Hashimoto thyroiditis and his brother has severe facial acne. His temperature is 37.2°C (99°F), pulse is 81/min, and blood pressure is 115/74 mm Hg. Examination of the skin shows multiple, nontender, round, white macules on the chest and trunk. There is fine scaling when the lesions are scraped with a spatula. There are no excoriation marks. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most likely underlying mechanism of this patient's symptoms?
A. Autoimmune destruction of melanocytes
B. Increased growth of Malassezia globosa (Correct Answer)
C. Increased sebum production
D. Antigen uptake by Langerhans cells
E. Exposure to human herpes virus 7
Explanation: ***Increased growth of Malassezia globosa***
- The description of **nontender, round, white macules** with fine scaling when scraped (the **"tinea-like" appearance**), especially on the chest and trunk of an adolescent, is characteristic of **tinea versicolor**.
- **Tinea versicolor** is caused by the overgrowth of the yeast **Malassezia globosa**, which inhibits melanin production in the skin, leading to hypopigmented lesions.
*Autoimmune destruction of melanocytes*
- This mechanism describes **vitiligo**, which presents as well-demarcated, completely depigmented patches, often with a **perioral** or **acral distribution**.
- Unlike tinea versicolor, vitiligo lesions are typically **smooth** and lack the characteristic fine scaling, nor are they typically caused by a fungal infection.
*Increased sebum production*
- **Increased sebum production** is a primary factor in the pathogenesis of **acne vulgaris** and **seborrheic dermatitis**.
- Acne would present with **papules, pustules, comedones**, and potentially cysts, while seborrheic dermatitis would involve **erythema** and **greasy scales** in sebaceous areas, neither of which matches the patient's presentation.
*Antigen uptake by Langerhans cells*
- **Antigen uptake by Langerhans cells** is a key process in initiating **contact dermatitis** or other immunologically mediated skin reactions, such as **allergic reactions**.
- Contact dermatitis would typically present with **intensely pruritic, erythematous, vesicular**, or **bullous lesions** in areas of contact with an allergen, which is not consistent with the patient's hypopigmented, non-pruritic macules.
*Exposure to human herpes virus 7*
- **Human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7)** is primarily associated with **pityriasis rosea**, which typically presents as an initial **"herald patch"** followed by smaller, oval, erythematous, scaly patches arranged in a Christmas tree pattern on the trunk.
- This presentation differs significantly from the described hypopigmented macules with fine scaling observed in the patient.