A laboratician is scanning a cytospin slide from a CSF specimen and notices a few solid-staining wrinkled bodies on the cytospin prep. A follow up India ink prep is positive. What is the most likely identification of this?
A) Histoplasma
B) Cryptococcus
C) Candidiasis
D) Bacterial contamination

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of solid-staining, wrinkled bodies on a cytospin prep along with a positive India ink prep is indicative of Cryptococcus, a fungal organism commonly associated with meningitis. Histoplasma may be seen on a cytospin prep, but it typically appears as a small yeast with a halo around it, and a follow up urine antigen test would be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Candidiasis would not typically be identified on a cytospin from CSF and bacterial contamination would not appear as solid-staining wrinkled bodies.

A Laboratician Is Scanning a Cytospin Slide from a CSF