Mycology: Candida parapsilosis in neonatal units: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Mycology: Candida parapsilosis in neonatal units

Sample item

A cluster of candidaemia in a neonatal ICU is traced to colonised hands of staff and catheters used for parenteral nutrition. The yeast is germ-tube negative, forms pseudohyphae and is a skin commensal. Which species is most likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Candida parapsilosis

Candida parapsilosis colonises skin and hands, forms biofilm on catheters and in parenteral nutrition, and causes outbreaks in neonatal units. It is germ-tube negative and shows higher echinocandin MICs than other species.

Option by option

  • A. Candida tropicalis

    Candida tropicalis is a gut colonizer causing disseminated disease in neutropenic leukaemia.

  • B. Candida parapsilosis (correct)

    Correct. A germ-tube-negative skin commensal with catheter biofilm and hand transmission is C. parapsilosis.

  • C. Candida krusei

    Candida krusei is intrinsically fluconazole resistant and appears in neutropenic patients, not as a skin commensal.

  • D. Candida glabrata

    Candida glabrata lacks pseudohyphae and is mainly a gut and urinary colonizer with reduced fluconazole susceptibility.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is B, Candida parapsilosis. Candida parapsilosis colonises skin and hands, forms biofilm on catheters and in parenteral nutrition, and causes outbreaks in neonatal units.

Why is "Candida tropicalis" not the answer?

Candida tropicalis is a gut colonizer causing disseminated disease in neutropenic leukaemia.

Why is "Candida krusei" not the answer?

Candida krusei is intrinsically fluconazole resistant and appears in neutropenic patients, not as a skin commensal.

Why is "Candida glabrata" not the answer?

Candida glabrata lacks pseudohyphae and is mainly a gut and urinary colonizer with reduced fluconazole susceptibility.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mycology: Candida parapsilosis in neonatal units in Microbiology. It is germ-tube negative and shows higher echinocandin MICs than other species.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Mycology: Candida parapsilosis in neonatal units?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.