Mycology/Parasitology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 52-year-old woman with poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c 11.2%) presents with severe facial pain, fever (39.2°C), and black necrotic tissue involving the maxillary sinus and hard palate. Vital signs show BP 142/88, HR 112, RR 22, SpO2 98% on room air. CT imaging reveals sinusitis with bone erosion. Tissue culture demonstrates broad, aseptate hyphae with right-angle branching. Blood cultures remain negative. She denies recent antibiotic use. Which organism is most likely responsible?
Answer choices
- AAspergillosis
- BCryptococcosis
- CCandidosis
- DMucormycosisCorrect answer
- EHistoplasmosis
- FBlastomycosis
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