A previously healthy 52-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 1-week history of productive cough, fevers, and malaise. She has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 35 years. Her temperature is 39°C (102.2°F). Diffuse inspiratory crackles are heard bilaterally. Her leukocyte count is 14,300/mm3. Sputum analysis shows numerous polymorphonuclear leukocytes and a few squamous epithelial cells. An x-ray of the chest shows bilateral patchy consolidations. Which of the following findings on sputum culture is most consistent with this patient's respiratory symptoms?
AAnaerobic gram-positive, branching, filamentous bacilli
BGram-positive, alpha-hemolytic, optochin-resistant cocci in chains
CEncapsulated, pleomorphic, gram-negative coccobacilli
DPseudohyphae with budding yeasts at 20°C
EGram-positive, catalase-positive, coagulase-negative cocci in clusters
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?
ABranching, septate hyphae with characteristic 'spaghetti and meatballs' appearance
BNon-septate hyphae with sporangiospores
CBranching, septate hyphae with tear-drop microconidia
DPseudohyphae with blastoconidia
A previously healthy 5-year-old boy is brought to the physician because of a 2-day history of itchy rash and swelling on his left lower leg. His mother says the boy complained of an insect bite while playing outdoors 3 days before the onset of the lesion. His immunizations are up-to-date. He is at the 50th percentile for height and the 85th percentile for weight. He has no known allergies. His temperature is 38.5°C (101.3°F), pulse is 120/min, and blood pressure is 95/60 mm Hg. The lower left leg is swollen and tender with erythema that has sharply defined borders. There is also a narrow red line with a raised border that extends from the lower leg to the groin. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most likely cause of these findings?
AStreptococcus pyogenes infection
BSporothrix schenckii infection
CContact dermatitis
DStaphylococcus aureus infection
EVasculitis
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