A graduate student returning from a month-long fieldwork exp…

A graduate student returning from a month-long fieldwork experience in South America develops a dark nodular lesion on the left hand. Microscopic examination of the nodule reveals, dark, coin-like inclusions. The following is the most likely type of mycoses (M59-17, 21; Level 3)?

A culture of an infected hair that broke off close to the sc…

A culture of an infected hair that broke off close to the scalp produces a wine-red reverse on culture.  Microscopically, rare macroconidia are seen with numerous microconidia that vary in size and shape, that are perpendicular to the hyphae  The organism produces an intense red color on PDA.  The organism which causes this infection is (M59-17, 21; Level 3)

A homeless person was brought to the ER semi-comatose and fe…

A homeless person was brought to the ER semi-comatose and febrile.  The patient’s bilirubin was elevated but the hemoglobin and RBC count were low.  Blood cultures were drawn but showed no growth after 1 week.  A second set of cultures were drawn, incubated in the dark with sterilized human serum added.  The organism that grew in this media did not stain with routine dyes, but dark field microscopy demonstrated a tightly coiled spiral rod shape.  The organism is most likely (M46-30, 31; Level 3):

Pus from a draining fistula on a foot was submitted for cult…

Pus from a draining fistula on a foot was submitted for culture.  The pus contained small, yellowish, oval granules.  The culture grew a cottony, white mold that turned gray with a black reverse.   Microscopically, the organism demonstrated hyaline septate hyphae with long and short conidiophores with single pear-shaped conidia.  The most likely identification is (M60-20, 21; Level 3)?

A patient who had mumps, measles, rubella, and chicken pox d…

A patient who had mumps, measles, rubella, and chicken pox developed an extremely painful set of vesicular lesions on the left side of their face.  The lesions began as a rash which developed into blisters that crusted over before healing.  This patient has most likely developed a secondary infection caused by which of the following viruses (M66-6, 7, 13; Level 3)?

A gardener develops a brown patch of skin in the center of t…

A gardener develops a brown patch of skin in the center of the palms of his hands.  He has treated them with a variety of over the counter medicine but it does not go away.  When the itching becomes worse he seeks medical advice.  He is diagnosed with tinea nigra.  What is the causative agent of this infection (M61-18, 21; Level 2)?

Several children at a summer camp have lesions on their feet…

Several children at a summer camp have lesions on their feet along with infected toe and finger nails.  The organism has an olive/brown surface with a yellow periphery and a pale yellow reverse. Microscopically, smooth 2-4 celled club-shaped macroconidia and no microconidia are observed. This organism is most likely (M59-17, 21; Level 3):