Fungal infections: culture medium: practice question

A Dermatology 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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Dermatology · Fungal infections: culture medium

Sample item

Which medium is commonly used to culture dermatophytes from skin and nail specimens?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Sabouraud dextrose agar with cycloheximide and chloramphenicol

Sabouraud dextrose agar has an acidic pH favouring fungi, and cycloheximide inhibits saprophytic moulds while chloramphenicol inhibits bacteria. Dermatophyte test medium is a related option.

Option by option

  • A. Lowenstein-Jensen medium

    Lowenstein-Jensen is used for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

  • B. Thayer-Martin medium

    Thayer-Martin is used for Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

  • C. Sabouraud dextrose agar with cycloheximide and chloramphenicol (correct)

    Correct. This is the standard medium for dermatophytes.

  • D. Blood agar alone

    Blood agar alone allows bacterial overgrowth.

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.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, Sabouraud dextrose agar with cycloheximide and chloramphenicol. Sabouraud dextrose agar has an acidic pH favouring fungi, and cycloheximide inhibits saprophytic moulds while chloramphenicol inhibits bacteria.

Why is "Lowenstein-Jensen medium" not the answer?

Lowenstein-Jensen is used for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Why is "Thayer-Martin medium" not the answer?

Thayer-Martin is used for Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Why is "Blood agar alone" not the answer?

Blood agar alone allows bacterial overgrowth.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fungal infections: culture medium in Dermatology. Dermatophyte test medium is a related option.

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 Fungal infections: culture medium?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology 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.