A KOH preparation on a sputum specimen from a patient on immune suppressive therapy shows large, broad, nonseptate hyphae.Choose the most likely agent.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Zygomycetes characteristically produce large, ribbonlike hyphae that are irregular in diameter and contain occasional septa. The septa may not be apparent in some preparations, which has resulted in the characterization of this group as aseptate. Although the Zygomycetes (Rhizopus, Mucor, Absidia, Syncephalastrum, Cunninghamella, and others) are a less common cause of infection compared with the aspergilli, they are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients.

A KOH Preparation on a Sputum Specimen from a Patient