Microbial diagnostics · USMLE Step 1

A patient with chronic cough is suspected of having histoplasmosis. What diagnostic finding supports the diagnosis?

  1. Broad-based budding yeasts
  2. Acid-fast bacilli in tissue
  3. Oval yeasts within macrophages
  4. Septate branching hyphae
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Correct answer: Oval yeasts within macrophages

Histoplasma capsulatum appears as intracellular yeasts within macrophages. This is a key microscopic finding.

Difficulty: Medium Question 16 of 20

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