Mycology/Parasitology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 19-year-old college student presents with severe frontal headache, neck stiffness, and altered mental status for 3 days. Vital signs show temperature 38.9°C, BP 118/76, HR 102, RR 18, SpO2 98% on room air. CSF analysis reveals lymphocytic pleocytosis (180 cells/μL), elevated protein (82 mg/dL), and normal glucose (58 mg/dL). Cryptococcal antigen and bacterial cultures are negative. No recent travel history is noted. Empiric acyclovir and ceftriaxone are initiated. Which organism should be included in the differential diagnosis?
Answer choices
- AHistoplasma capsulatum meningitis
- BCandida albicans meningitis
- CRhizopus meningitis
- DCoccidioides immitis meningitisCorrect answer
- EAspergillus fumigatus meningitis
- FCryptococcus neoformans meningitis
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