Fungal and Parasitic Infections USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 36 year old man with untreated HIV presents with progressively worsening headache, fever, and blurry vision. CD4 count is 48 cells per microliter. Lumbar puncture shows elevated opening pressure, low glucose, and lymphocytic pleocytosis. India ink stain of cerebrospinal fluid shows encapsulated budding yeast. Which of the following organisms is the most likely cause of this infection?
Answer choices
- AHistoplasma capsulatum
- BCandida albicans
- CAspergillus fumigatus
- DCryptococcus neoformansCorrect answer
- ECoccidioides immitis
- FBlastomyces dermatitidis
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