A patient with AIDS has dyspnea and bilateral ground-glass infiltrates. Silver stain shows cysts. Which organism is responsible?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Pneumocystis jirovecii

  1. Step 1: Silver-staining cysts identify Pneumocystis. Answer: Pneumocystis jirovecii. Why not the others: Mycobacterium avium complex, Cytomegalovirus and Toxoplasma gondii don't fit.

Practise more Microbiology and Immunology.

Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed USMLE Step 1 mock tests.