Mycology: invasive fungal infection: 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: invasive fungal infection

Sample item

A neutropenic leukaemia patient on broad-spectrum antibiotics has persistent fever and nodules with halo sign on CT chest. Which serum biomarker supports the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Galactomannan

Invasive aspergillosis in neutropenia shows nodules with a halo sign, and serum galactomannan detects the cell wall polysaccharide. Cryptococcal antigen is for cryptococcosis and procalcitonin is a bacterial marker.

Option by option

  • A. Histoplasma antigen only

    Histoplasma antigen is for histoplasmosis and not the likely cause here.

  • B. Galactomannan (correct)

    Correct. Galactomannan supports invasive aspergillosis.

  • C. Procalcitonin

    Procalcitonin rises mainly in bacterial infection.

  • D. Cryptococcal antigen

    Cryptococcal antigen detects Cryptococcus.

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.

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Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is B, Galactomannan. Invasive aspergillosis in neutropenia shows nodules with a halo sign, and serum galactomannan detects the cell wall polysaccharide.

Why is "Histoplasma antigen only" not the answer?

Histoplasma antigen is for histoplasmosis and not the likely cause here.

Why is "Procalcitonin" not the answer?

Procalcitonin rises mainly in bacterial infection.

Why is "Cryptococcal antigen" not the answer?

Cryptococcal antigen detects Cryptococcus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mycology: invasive fungal infection in Microbiology. Cryptococcal antigen is for cryptococcosis and procalcitonin is a bacterial marker.

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: invasive fungal infection?

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.