Fungal and Parasitic Infections USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 62-year-old neutropenic man undergoing chemotherapy for acute leukemia presents with fever (38.9°C), tachycardia (110 bpm), and dyspnea unresponsive to broad-spectrum antibiotics for 5 days. Endoscopy reveals black, necrotic lesions of the palate and nasal septum. Chest X-ray shows no pulmonary infiltrates. Tissue biopsy demonstrates broad, non-septate hyphae with right-angle branching and minimal inflammatory response. Which of the following is the most likely organism?
Answer choices
- ARhizopus species (Mucormycosis)Correct answer
- BPneumocystis jirovecii
- CCandida albicans
- DAspergillus fumigatus
- ECryptococcus neoformans
- FCoccidioides immitis
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