Final answer:
Candidiasis is not caused by a dimorphic fungus, unlike histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and blastomycosis which are. It is usually caused by Candida albicans, a yeast.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the student's question is c) Candidiasis. Candidiasis is not caused by a dimorphic fungus. Instead, it is a fungal infection typically caused by Candida albicans, which is a yeast. In contrast, histoplasmosis is caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, coccidioidomycosis (also known as Valley fever) is caused by Coccidioides immitis, and blastomycosis is caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis, all of which are dimorphic fungi. These fungi can transition between yeast and mold forms depending on environmental conditions.
Moreover, from the additional information provided, we learn that coccidioidomycosis is referred to as Valley fever, histoplasmosis can cause symptoms similar to the flu and in rare cases swelling of brain and spinal cord membranes, and blastomycosis may cause flu-like symptoms and can become disseminated in immunocompromised individuals, causing chronic cutaneous disease.