My Mycology Revision Questions
Choose the one best answer
1. This picture is from a recently diagnosed HIV patient. She has just initiated antiretroviral
therapy and is also on an oral hormonal contraceptives. Her CD4 count is 150 and White blood
count 5000 cells/μL (neutrophils 65%, Lymphocytes 30%, Monocytes 3%, Eosinophils 1%,
Basophils 1%). You also note that 2 of her teeth have fillings.
Which of the following is the most important factor predisposing to oro-pharyngeal candidiasis
in the patient?
a. Neutropenia
b. Hormonal contraceptives
c. Dental fillings
d. Low CD4 counts
2. This is the picture of a 65-year-old man who was admitted into the ICU for fever and
hypotension following extensive bowel surgery to resect a cancerous colonic tumor. She is
started on a broad antibiotic to cover for possible sepsis. A blood culture performed on the 7th
ICU day isolated Candida albicans.
Which of the following factors likely contributed to the systemic Candidiasis?
a. Extensive bowel surgery
b. Medical devices like intravenous and urinary catheters
c. Use of broad spectrum antibiotics
d. All of the above factors
Page 1 of 13
, 3. Which of the following factors contribute to the virulence of Candida spp?
a. Switching between morphologic forms
b. Enzymes such as phospholipases and proteinases that contribute to invasion of epithelia
and endothelia
c. Biofilms that facilitate adhesion to medical devices like cannulae and catheters as well
as protect against host defenses
d. All of the above are correct
4. This is photo was taken at esophageal endoscopy in a patient with advanced cancer of the
prostate. He had complained of pain and difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia & odynophagia). A
KOH preparation of scrapings from the lesions showed a mixture of budding yeasts,
pseudohyphae, hyphae and chlamydospores
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
a. Esophageal candidiasis
b. A mixed infection with esophageal candidiasis and an opportunistic mold
c. Esophageal Aspergillosis
d. Systemic candidiasis
5. An HIV-1 patient with Hodgkin’s lymphoma is initiated on cancer chemotherapy. He develops
fever and blood culture yields Candida albicans. Which of the following was the most likely
predisposing factor for her candidemia?
a. Low CD4 cell counts due to HIV infection
b. Immune impairment due to the steroid component of the chemotherapy
c. Neutropenia due to the myelo suppressive effects of the chemotherapy
d. Hormonal effects of the cancer chemotherapy
Page 2 of 13
Choose the one best answer
1. This picture is from a recently diagnosed HIV patient. She has just initiated antiretroviral
therapy and is also on an oral hormonal contraceptives. Her CD4 count is 150 and White blood
count 5000 cells/μL (neutrophils 65%, Lymphocytes 30%, Monocytes 3%, Eosinophils 1%,
Basophils 1%). You also note that 2 of her teeth have fillings.
Which of the following is the most important factor predisposing to oro-pharyngeal candidiasis
in the patient?
a. Neutropenia
b. Hormonal contraceptives
c. Dental fillings
d. Low CD4 counts
2. This is the picture of a 65-year-old man who was admitted into the ICU for fever and
hypotension following extensive bowel surgery to resect a cancerous colonic tumor. She is
started on a broad antibiotic to cover for possible sepsis. A blood culture performed on the 7th
ICU day isolated Candida albicans.
Which of the following factors likely contributed to the systemic Candidiasis?
a. Extensive bowel surgery
b. Medical devices like intravenous and urinary catheters
c. Use of broad spectrum antibiotics
d. All of the above factors
Page 1 of 13
, 3. Which of the following factors contribute to the virulence of Candida spp?
a. Switching between morphologic forms
b. Enzymes such as phospholipases and proteinases that contribute to invasion of epithelia
and endothelia
c. Biofilms that facilitate adhesion to medical devices like cannulae and catheters as well
as protect against host defenses
d. All of the above are correct
4. This is photo was taken at esophageal endoscopy in a patient with advanced cancer of the
prostate. He had complained of pain and difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia & odynophagia). A
KOH preparation of scrapings from the lesions showed a mixture of budding yeasts,
pseudohyphae, hyphae and chlamydospores
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
a. Esophageal candidiasis
b. A mixed infection with esophageal candidiasis and an opportunistic mold
c. Esophageal Aspergillosis
d. Systemic candidiasis
5. An HIV-1 patient with Hodgkin’s lymphoma is initiated on cancer chemotherapy. He develops
fever and blood culture yields Candida albicans. Which of the following was the most likely
predisposing factor for her candidemia?
a. Low CD4 cell counts due to HIV infection
b. Immune impairment due to the steroid component of the chemotherapy
c. Neutropenia due to the myelo suppressive effects of the chemotherapy
d. Hormonal effects of the cancer chemotherapy
Page 2 of 13
