Antimicrobials: fluconazole-resistant Candida: practice question

A Pharmacology 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

Pharmacology · Antimicrobials: fluconazole-resistant Candida

Sample item

A neutropenic patient with leukaemia on long-term fluconazole prophylaxis develops candidaemia. The isolate is intrinsically resistant to fluconazole. Which species is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Candida krusei

Candida krusei, now classified as Pichia kudriavzevii, is intrinsically resistant to fluconazole, and C. glabrata shows reduced susceptibility. Prophylaxis with fluconazole therefore selects these species, and an echinocandin or amphotericin B is used instead.

Option by option

  • A. Candida parapsilosis

    C. parapsilosis is typically fluconazole-susceptible, though echinocandin MICs are higher.

  • B. Candida krusei (correct)

    Correct. C. krusei is intrinsically resistant to fluconazole.

  • C. Candida tropicalis

    C. tropicalis is usually susceptible to fluconazole.

  • D. Candida albicans

    C. albicans is usually susceptible to fluconazole.

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 Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is B, Candida krusei. Candida krusei, now classified as Pichia kudriavzevii, is intrinsically resistant to fluconazole, and C.

Why is "Candida parapsilosis" not the answer?

C. parapsilosis is typically fluconazole-susceptible, though echinocandin MICs are higher.

Why is "Candida tropicalis" not the answer?

C. tropicalis is usually susceptible to fluconazole.

Why is "Candida albicans" not the answer?

C. albicans is usually susceptible to fluconazole.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antimicrobials: fluconazole-resistant Candida in Pharmacology. glabrata shows reduced susceptibility. Prophylaxis with fluconazole therefore selects these species, and an echinocandin or amphotericin B is used instead.

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 Antimicrobials: fluconazole-resistant Candida?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.