Opportunistic fungal infection presentations in immunocompromised patients tested on USMLE Step 1, distinct from the classification focus of the fungi and parasites deck.
35 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What fungal infection causes white plaques in the mouth of HIV patients?
- Oral candidiasis (thrush)
- Esophageal candidiasis (an AIDS-defining illness) typically occurs below what CD4 count?
- Below 100 cells/microL
- What symptom is classic for Candida esophagitis?
- Odynophagia (painful swallowing)
- Endoscopy in Candida esophagitis classically shows what finding?
- White, adherent plaques on the esophageal mucosa
- Cryptococcus neoformans is acquired by inhaling spores from soil contaminated with ____.
- pigeon droppings
- What CNS infection does Cryptococcus neoformans commonly cause in AIDS patients?
- Cryptococcal meningitis
- What CSF stain reveals Cryptococcus as a yeast with a clear halo around it?
- India ink stain
- What rapid test, more sensitive than India ink, is used to diagnose cryptococcal infection?
- Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) test
- What special histologic stain highlights Cryptococcus's capsule in tissue sections?
- Mucicarmine stain
- What is the first-line induction therapy for cryptococcal meningitis?
- Amphotericin B plus flucytosine
- What polysaccharide makes up the Cryptococcus neoformans capsule?
- Glucuronoxylomannan
- What opportunistic mold causes invasive infection in neutropenic and transplant patients?
- Aspergillus fumigatus
- On histology, Aspergillus hyphae are septate and branch at what characteristic angle?
- Acute angles, about 45 degrees
- A fungus ball that colonizes a pre-existing lung cavity, such as an old TB cavity, is called what?
- An aspergilloma
- What allergic lung condition, seen in asthma and cystic fibrosis patients, is caused by hypersensitivity to Aspergillus?
- Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)