Question

The fungal cells seen in this slide (Figure 24.18) are often found in bird droppings and may cause pulmonary disease or meningitis. This fungus is

Choose one:
A. Candida albicans.
B. Coccidioides immitis.
C. Coccidioides posadasii.
D. Cryptococcus neoformans.

Answer 1

The fungal cells that can cause pulmonary disease or meningitis and are found in bird droppings are from the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, which leads to cryptococcosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fungal cells found in the slide that are often associated with bird droppings and can cause pulmonary disease or meningitis are caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. This encapsulated yeast is commonly found in bird droppings and is the causative agent of cryptococcosis, a condition that may lead to pulmonary infections and potentially progress to meningitis, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Cryptococcus neoformans has a thick polysaccharide capsule that helps it evade phagocytosis, making it a significant pathogen that requires long-term treatment with antifungal drugs, such as amphotericin B combined with flucytosine.