Mycology/Parasitology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 32-year-old woman with poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c 11.2%) presents with progressive vision loss and orbital pain. Vital signs: BP 148/92, HR 102, RR 20, Temp 38.1°C, SpO2 98% on room air. Fundoscopy reveals black necrotic retinal lesions. Blood cultures remain negative. Tissue biopsy demonstrates broad, non-septate hyphae with right-angle branching. CSF glucose is normal. Which of the following is the most likely causative organism?
Answer choices
- AHistoplasma capsulatum
- BAspergillus fumigatus
- CCryptococcus neoformans
- DCandida albicans
- ERhizopus speciesCorrect answer
- FMucor species
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