Microbial diagnostics · USMLE Step 1

A bronchoalveolar lavage from a patient with suspected Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is analyzed. Which stain best identifies the organism?

  1. Wright-Giemsa stain
  2. Gomori methenamine silver stain
  3. Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast stain
  4. Gram stain of smear
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Correct answer: Gomori methenamine silver stain

Gomori methenamine silver stain highlights cyst walls of P. jirovecii. It is highly sensitive for diagnosis.

Difficulty: Medium Question 10 of 20

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