The surgical equipment used during a craniectomy is sterilized using pressurized steam at 121°C for 15 minutes. Reuse of these instruments can cause transmission of which of the following pathogens?
ANon-enveloped viruses
BSporulating bacteria
CPrions
DEnveloped viruses
EYeasts
A 44-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 3-week history of productive cough, fever, and lethargy. He also has several skin lesions over his body. His symptoms began 3 weeks after he returned from a camping trip in Kentucky. Three years ago, he underwent kidney transplantation for polycystic kidney disease. Current medications include sirolimus and prednisone. His temperature is 38°C (100.4°F). Diffuse crackles are heard over the lung fields. There are 4 white, verrucous skin patches over his chest and upper limbs. A photomicrograph of a skin biopsy specimen from one of the lesions is shown. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
ACoccidioidomycosis
BMucormycosis
CBlastomycosis
DCryptococcosis
EHistoplasmosis
A young woman from the Ohio River Valley in the United States currently on corticosteroid therapy for ulcerative colitis presented to a clinic complaining of fever, sweat, headache, nonproductive cough, malaise, and general weakness. A chest radiograph revealed patchy pneumonia in the lower lung fields, together with enlarged mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. Skin changes suggestive of erythema nodosum (i.e. an acute erythematous eruption) were noted. Because the patient was from a region endemic for fungal infections associated with her symptoms and the patient was in close contact with a person presenting similar symptoms, the attending physician suspected that systemic fungal infection might be responsible for this woman’s illness. Which of the following laboratory tests can the physician use to ensure early detection of the disease, and also effectively monitor the treatment response?
ASkin tests
BFungal staining
CAntigen detection
DCulture method
EAntibody testing
+ 7 more in the PDF
Browse all chapters