Mycology: Aspergillus: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Mycology: Aspergillus

Sample item

A neutropenic patient has pleuritic chest pain and a CT halo sign. Tissue shows septate hyphae branching at acute angles. Which infection is most likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Invasive aspergillosis

Aspergillus forms narrow septate hyphae with acute-angle branching and can invade vessels in neutropenia. Mucorales are broader, sparsely septate, and branch at right angles.

Option by option

  • A. Pneumocystis pneumonia

    Pneumocystis causes diffuse interstitial pneumonia, not invasive septate hyphae.

  • B. Candidal vaginitis

    Vaginal Candida does not cause this pulmonary angioinvasive pattern.

  • C. Mucormycosis

    Mucorales have broad ribbon-like hyphae with wider-angle branching.

  • D. Invasive aspergillosis (correct)

    Correct. The morphology and neutropenic host strongly indicate Aspergillus.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is D, Invasive aspergillosis. Aspergillus forms narrow septate hyphae with acute-angle branching and can invade vessels in neutropenia.

Why is "Pneumocystis pneumonia" not the answer?

Pneumocystis causes diffuse interstitial pneumonia, not invasive septate hyphae.

Why is "Candidal vaginitis" not the answer?

Vaginal Candida does not cause this pulmonary angioinvasive pattern.

Why is "Mucormycosis" not the answer?

Mucorales have broad ribbon-like hyphae with wider-angle branching.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mycology: Aspergillus in Microbiology. Mucorales are broader, sparsely septate, and branch at right angles.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Mycology: Aspergillus?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.