Medical Mycology Examination Collection — OmpathStudy

MEDICAL MYCOLOGY --- PAPER 1 — Mount Kenya University, University Examinations 2021/2022 School of Medicine, Dept. of Medical Microbiology MBChB Degree Unit Code: MBMM 3300 Unit Title: Medical Virology and Mycology (Paper 1) Date: Wed 26th Jan 2022, 2:00PM Main Exam Time: 3 Hours Section A — MCQs (Mycology portion, Q1–18) Q1. An organism without a known sexual stage would be classified in the: a. Zygomycota b. Mitosporic fungi c. Ascomycota d. Basidiomycota e. Chytridiomycota Answer: b Explanation: Fungi with no known sexual (teleomorph) stage are classified as Mitosporic fungi/Deuteromycetes ("Fungi Imperfecti"). --- Q2. Antifungal drug such as inhibits proper formation of a. Nystatin : a cell wall b. Miconazole : a plasma membrane c. Griseofulvin : DNA d. Flucytosine : a microtubule e. Amphotericin B : protein synthesis Answer: b Explanation: Miconazole (an azole) blocks ergosterol synthesis, disrupting the fungal plasma membrane. --- Q3. Which of the following fungi would you most likely be found in pigeon droppings? a. Trichophyton b. Pneumocyst c. Cryptococcus d. Coccidioides e. Sporothrix Answer: c. Cryptococcus\n Explanation: Cryptococcus neoformans is classically associated with soil contaminated by pigeon droppings. --- Q4. causes more than 200 million cases each year and symptoms include an itching sensation and burning internal pain a. Onychia b. Thrush c. "Jock itch" d. Vulvovaginitis e. Sporotrichosis Answer: d Explanation: Candidal vulvovaginitis is extremely common worldwide, with itching and internal burning pain as classic symptoms. --- Q5. The formation of arthrospores and spherule is characteristic of: a. Coccidioidomycosis b. Histoplasmosis c. Candidiasis d. Aspergillosis e. Blastomycosis Answer: a Explanation: Coccidioides immitis forms arthroconidia in soil/culture and spherules in host tissue — its diagnostic hallmark. --- Q6. Aflatoxin is produced by and is a. Sporothrix schenkii ; Hallucinogen b. Aspergillus flavus ; carcinogen c. Claviceps purpurea ; Hallucinogen d. Aspergillus niger ; Mycotoxin e. Aspergillus fumigatus ; carcinogen Answer: b Explanation: Aspergillus flavus produces aflatoxin, a potent hepatocarcinogen contaminating nuts/grains. --- Q7. A girl who pricked her finger while pruning rose bushes develops a local pustule that progresses to an ulcer. Several nodules develop along the local lymphatic drainage. Most likely agent? a. Aspergillus fumigatus b. Sporothrix schenckii c. Cryptococcus neoformans d. Candida albicans e. Coccidioides immitis Answer: b Explanation: Classic "rose gardener's disease" — Sporothrix schenckii causes lymphocutaneous nodules following thorn injury. --- Q8. Fungal cells that reproduce by budding are seen in the infected tissues of patients with: a. Candidiasis, cryptococcosis, and sporotrichosis b. Mycetoma, candidiasis, and mucormycosis c. Tinea corporis, tinea unguium, and tinea versicolor d. Sporotrichosis, mycetoma, and aspergillosis e. Histoplasmosis, candidiasis and sporotrichosis Answer: a Explanation: Candida, Cryptococcus, and Sporothrix all appear as budding yeast forms in tissue. --- Q9. Which statement regarding paracoccidiomycosis is NOT correct? a. The etiologic agent is a dimorphic fungus b. Most patients acquired their infections in South America c. Although acquired by inhalation and initiated in the lungs, many patients develop cutaneous and mucocutaneous lesions d. The vast majority of patients with active disease are males e. The etiologic agent is inherently resistant to amphotericin B Answer: e Explanation: Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is actually susceptible to amphotericin B — this statement is false, making it the answer. --- Q10. Kidney transplant patient with nosocomial systemic candidiasis; Candida glabrata isolate is fluconazole-resistant. Reasonable oral alternative? a. Flucytosine b. Posaconazole c. Griseofulvin d. Amphotericin B e. Clotrimazole Answer: b Explanation: Posaconazole retains activity against many fluconazole-resistant Candida glabrata strains and is available orally. --- Q11. All of the following are characteristics of systemic mycoses/deep mycosis, EXCEPT? a. Most of the dimorphic fungi cause the infection b. Pathogenesis mostly occurs due to inhalation of spores c. The most common body part is the lungs for all fungal infection d. Aspergillosis and mucormycosis are systemic mycoses e. Infection can develop in patients who are immunocompetent Answer: c Explanation: Not all systemic fungal infections start in the lungs (e.g., candidiasis is often endogenous/GI-mucosal in origin). --- Q12. Thousands of people in the western USA suddenly developed flu/pneumonia-like symptoms in 1992; fungal spores in soil/air caused fever, cough, fatigue. Disease termed "valley fever." Name the pathogen. a. Aspergillus niger b. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis c. Blastomyces dermatidis d. Coccidioides immitis e. Tinea nigra Answer: d Explanation: Coccidioides immitis causes "valley fever," endemic to the southwestern U