Microbiology Case 146 December 1, 2024 rmalaca1 1. Presented by Delaram Shakiba, MD, and reviewed by Karen Carroll, M.D. A patient underwent lumbar puncture due to a concern for meningitis. Blood and CSF analysis are below. CSF analysis: Opening pressure 13–15 mmHg, WBC 91/μL, glucose 100 mg/dL, protein 88 mg/dL Culture: Positive for yeasts on IMF agar, forming cream-colored mucoid colonies Gram staining: Shows spherical yeast forms with single, narrow-based budding. Calcofluor white stain highlights encapsulated round yeast cells with fluorescence. The patient is diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis and fungemia after positive CSF and blood cultures. Which of the following statements about the organism is true?A. It is commonly associated with germ tube formation in serum.B. It primarily infects immunocompetent individuals in tropical and subtropical regions.C. It produces a polysaccharide capsule that inhibits phagocytosis and is visualized by India ink.D. It is a dimorphic fungus with a mold phase at room temperature and a yeast phase at 37°C.E. It produces arthroconidia in tissue and is identified by PAS staining. Loading...
