A child presents to his physician with fever, a nonproductive cough, and shortness of breath. The physician orders a routine sputum culture and an acid-fast bacillus culture and smear. The smear shows red organisms arranged in ropes. What is the most probable cause of this child's fever and cough?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of red organisms arranged in ropes on an acid-fast bacillus smear is characteristic of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes pulmonary tuberculosis. The symptoms of fever, nonproductive cough, and shortness of breath are also consistent with tuberculosis. Mycobacterium leprae causes leprosy, which typically does not involve the respiratory system. M. avium and M. intracellulare can cause pulmonary infections in immunocompromised individuals but do not typically result in the symptoms described in this case.

A Child Presents to His Physician with Fever, a Nonproductive