Mycology: rhinosporidiosis: 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: rhinosporidiosis

Sample item

A 25-year-old man from coastal Odisha who bathes in a village pond has recurrent unilateral epistaxis and nasal obstruction. Examination shows a pink friable polyp with white dots. Histology shows large sporangia filled with endospores. What is the best management?

ASurgical excision with electrocautery of the baseBOral fluconazole for six weeksCAntitubercular therapyDIntravenous amphotericin B

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Surgical excision with electrocautery of the base

Rhinosporidiosis, caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi (now classed with aquatic protistan parasites), is endemic in parts of India and Sri Lanka and linked to stagnant water exposure. It forms vascular, friable polyps studded with sporangia, and the organism cannot be cultured on routine media. Wide excision with cautery of the base is the mainstay, and recurrence is common.

Option by option

A. Surgical excision with electrocautery of the base (correct)
Correct. Surgical removal with cautery is the established treatment.
B. Oral fluconazole for six weeks
Azoles are not reliably effective against this organism.
C. Antitubercular therapy
The lesion is not mycobacterial, so antitubercular drugs have no role.
D. Intravenous amphotericin B
Amphotericin B is not an established therapy for rhinosporidiosis and is toxic.

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.

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Surgical excision with electrocautery of the base. Rhinosporidiosis, caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi (now classed with aquatic protistan parasites), is endemic in parts of India and Sri Lanka and linked to stagnant water exposure.

Why is "Oral fluconazole for six weeks" not the answer?

Azoles are not reliably effective against this organism.

Why is "Antitubercular therapy" not the answer?

The lesion is not mycobacterial, so antitubercular drugs have no role.

Why is "Intravenous amphotericin B" not the answer?

Amphotericin B is not an established therapy for rhinosporidiosis and is toxic.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mycology: rhinosporidiosis in Microbiology. It forms vascular, friable polyps studded with sporangia, and the organism cannot be cultured on routine media. Wide excision with cautery of the base is the mainstay, and recurrence is common.

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: rhinosporidiosis?

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.