Mycology: Cryptococcus gattii: 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: Cryptococcus gattii

Sample item

An immunocompetent farmer from an area with eucalyptus trees has a pulmonary mass and meningitis with a large cryptococcoma on MRI. Which species is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Cryptococcus gattii

Cryptococcus gattii is associated with eucalyptus and other trees and affects immunocompetent hosts, often forming large mass lesions called cryptococcomas. C. neoformans is associated with pigeon droppings and chiefly affects immunocompromised patients.

Option by option

  • A. Cryptococcus gattii (correct)

    Correct. Eucalyptus exposure and cryptococcoma in a healthy host indicate C. gattii.

  • B. Histoplasma capsulatum

    Histoplasma is a small intracellular yeast associated with bat or bird droppings and does not have a capsule.

  • C. Candida albicans

    Candida albicans is a yeast with pseudohyphae and does not form such mass lesions with meningitis.

  • D. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii

    C. neoformans grubii usually causes meningitis in people with HIV or transplant, linked to pigeon droppings.

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 A, Cryptococcus gattii. Cryptococcus gattii is associated with eucalyptus and other trees and affects immunocompetent hosts, often forming large mass lesions called cryptococcomas.

Why is "Histoplasma capsulatum" not the answer?

Histoplasma is a small intracellular yeast associated with bat or bird droppings and does not have a capsule.

Why is "Candida albicans" not the answer?

Candida albicans is a yeast with pseudohyphae and does not form such mass lesions with meningitis.

Why is "Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii" not the answer?

C. neoformans grubii usually causes meningitis in people with HIV or transplant, linked to pigeon droppings.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mycology: Cryptococcus gattii in Microbiology. C. neoformans is associated with pigeon droppings and chiefly affects immunocompromised patients.

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: Cryptococcus gattii?

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.