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 patient in diabetic ketoacidosis develops facial pain and a black necrotic eschar on the nasal turbinate. Biopsy shows broad, ribbon-like hyphae with right-angle branching. What is the organism?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Mucorales (Rhizopus)

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis occurs in diabetic ketoacidosis and neutropenia. Mucorales have broad pauciseptate hyphae branching at wide angles, and they invade blood vessels causing infarction and black eschars.

Option by option

  • A. Cryptococcus neoformans

    Cryptococcus is an encapsulated yeast that causes meningitis.

  • B. Candida albicans

    Candida forms yeasts and pseudohyphae rather than broad hyphae.

  • C. Mucorales (Rhizopus) (correct)

    Broad ribbon-like hyphae with vascular invasion in ketoacidosis define mucormycosis.

  • D. Aspergillus fumigatus

    Aspergillus has narrow septate hyphae branching at acute angles.

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 C, Mucorales (Rhizopus). Rhinocerebral mucormycosis occurs in diabetic ketoacidosis and neutropenia.

Why is "Cryptococcus neoformans" not the answer?

Cryptococcus is an encapsulated yeast that causes meningitis.

Why is "Candida albicans" not the answer?

Candida forms yeasts and pseudohyphae rather than broad hyphae.

Why is "Aspergillus fumigatus" not the answer?

Aspergillus has narrow septate hyphae branching at acute angles.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mycology in Microbiology. Mucorales have broad pauciseptate hyphae branching at wide angles, and they invade blood vessels causing infarction and black eschars.

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.