Mycology: Malassezia and lipid dependence: 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.

Try it

Microbiology · Mycology: Malassezia and lipid dependence

Sample item

A preterm neonate on intravenous lipid emulsion through a central line has fever, thrombocytopenia and pulmonary infiltrates. Routine blood cultures are negative, but the yeast grows on Sabouraud agar overlaid with sterile olive oil. Which organism is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Malassezia furfur

Malassezia furfur is a lipophilic yeast that needs long-chain fatty acids, so it fails to grow on standard media unless these are supplied. It causes catheter-related fungaemia in neonates and patients receiving intravenous lipids. Management is to remove the catheter, stop lipids and give amphotericin B.

Option by option

  • A. Candida albicans

    C. albicans grows readily on routine media and is germ tube positive.

  • B. Candida parapsilosis

    C. parapsilosis grows on standard Sabouraud agar without added lipid.

  • C. Malassezia furfur (correct)

    Correct. Lipid dependence and the setting of intravenous lipids indicate M. furfur.

  • D. Trichosporon asahii

    Trichosporon grows on ordinary media without lipid supplementation.

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 C, Malassezia furfur. Malassezia furfur is a lipophilic yeast that needs long-chain fatty acids, so it fails to grow on standard media unless these are supplied.

Why is "Candida albicans" not the answer?

C. albicans grows readily on routine media and is germ tube positive.

Why is "Candida parapsilosis" not the answer?

C. parapsilosis grows on standard Sabouraud agar without added lipid.

Why is "Trichosporon asahii" not the answer?

Trichosporon grows on ordinary media without lipid supplementation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mycology: Malassezia and lipid dependence in Microbiology. It causes catheter-related fungaemia in neonates and patients receiving intravenous lipids. Management is to remove the catheter, stop lipids and give amphotericin B.

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: Malassezia and lipid dependence?

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.