Mycology: 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

Sample item

A man with advanced HIV has headache and neck stiffness for two weeks. India ink preparation of CSF is performed. What is the expected finding?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Narrow-based budding yeasts surrounded by a clear halo of capsule

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast, and the polysaccharide capsule excludes India ink, producing a clear halo. Capsular antigen detection in CSF or serum is also highly sensitive.

Option by option

  • A. Septate hyphae branching at acute angles

    Septate hyphae branching at acute angles describe Aspergillus.

  • B. Narrow-based budding yeasts surrounded by a clear halo of capsule (correct)

    Correct. The capsule forms a clear halo against the dark ink background.

  • C. Large spherules filled with endospores

    Spherules containing endospores describe Coccidioides immitis.

  • D. Broad-based budding yeasts

    Broad-based budding yeasts describe Blastomyces dermatitidis.

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, Narrow-based budding yeasts surrounded by a clear halo of capsule. Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast, and the polysaccharide capsule excludes India ink, producing a clear halo.

Why is "Septate hyphae branching at acute angles" not the answer?

Septate hyphae branching at acute angles describe Aspergillus.

Why is "Large spherules filled with endospores" not the answer?

Spherules containing endospores describe Coccidioides immitis.

Why is "Broad-based budding yeasts" not the answer?

Broad-based budding yeasts describe Blastomyces dermatitidis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mycology in Microbiology. Capsular antigen detection in CSF or serum is also highly sensitive.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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?

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.