Mycology: chromoblastomycosis: 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: chromoblastomycosis

Sample item

A barefoot agricultural worker has a three-year history of a warty cauliflower-like plaque on the leg. A KOH mount of crusts shows thick-walled brown round cells that divide by internal septation, called copper pennies. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Chromoblastomycosis

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis caused by dematiaceous fungi such as Fonsecaea pedrosoi, acquired by traumatic implantation. The tissue form is the sclerotic (Medlar) body, a brown round cell that divides by septation. Itraconazole with cryotherapy or excision is used.

Option by option

  • A. Rhinosporidiosis

    Rhinosporidiosis causes mucosal polyps with large sporangia, not sclerotic bodies.

  • B. Phaeohyphomycosis

    Phaeohyphomycosis shows pigmented septate hyphae in tissue rather than sclerotic bodies.

  • C. Mycetoma

    Mycetoma shows grains and draining sinuses, not copper pennies.

  • D. Chromoblastomycosis (correct)

    Correct. Sclerotic bodies in a verrucous lesion define chromoblastomycosis.

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, Chromoblastomycosis. Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis caused by dematiaceous fungi such as Fonsecaea pedrosoi, acquired by traumatic implantation.

Why is "Rhinosporidiosis" not the answer?

Rhinosporidiosis causes mucosal polyps with large sporangia, not sclerotic bodies.

Why is "Phaeohyphomycosis" not the answer?

Phaeohyphomycosis shows pigmented septate hyphae in tissue rather than sclerotic bodies.

Why is "Mycetoma" not the answer?

Mycetoma shows grains and draining sinuses, not copper pennies.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mycology: chromoblastomycosis in Microbiology. The tissue form is the sclerotic (Medlar) body, a brown round cell that divides by septation. Itraconazole with cryotherapy or excision is used.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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: chromoblastomycosis?

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.