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Mucormycosis Trivia Quiz

Mucormycosis is a rare, opportunistic fungal infection with a high mortality rate. How much do you know about this insidious disease?

A multiple-choice quiz by napkintosh. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
napkintosh

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
86,917

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1069

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Richard Paltauf first described a case of mucormycosis in the middle of which decade? Hint

1710s

1950s

1880s

1630s

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the most common type of mucormycosis? Hint

Rhinocerebral

Cutaneous

Gastrointestinal

Disseminated

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Question 3 of 10

3. 70% of Mucor infections occur in patients with what disease? Hint

Tinea pedis

Diabetes mellitus

Acne vulgaris

Cancer

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Question 4 of 10

4. What is the only reliable antifungal drug used to combat mucormycosis? Hint

Miconazole

Amphotericin B

Nystatin

Flucytosine

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Question 5 of 10

5. Mucormycosis can be caused by Mucorales molds. What genus is the most commonly isolated from patients with this condition? Hint

Rhizomucor

Rhizopus

Absidia

Mucor

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is the one hallmark symptom that should alert any doctor to the presence of rhinocerebral mucormycosis? Hint

Severe headache and bulging of the eyes

A dry, black scab on the nasal mucosa or palate

Blood-tinged sputum

Loss of extraocular nerve function

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Question 7 of 10

7. In a histologic examination of biopsied material from a mucormycosis patient, cresyl violet is sometimes used as a stain. What color does Mucor turn when exposed to this solution? Hint

Yellow

Violet

Brick red

Bright green

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Question 8 of 10

8. Can rhinocerebral mucormycosis be chronic, rather than acute?

Yes

9. Some scientists would argue that "mucormycosis" is a misnomer because it does not indicate the infection could be caused by Entomophthorales fungi. Instead, they propose the name "zygomycoses" as an umbrella term. From which taxonomic level is this term derived? Hint

Family

Class

Phylum

Genus

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Question 10 of 10

10. What treatment, introduced in 1955, was responsible for the first documented recovery from a battle with mucormycosis? Hint

The hyperbaric oxygen chamber

Nystatin

A synthetic form of insulin

Amphotericin B

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Richard Paltauf first described a case of mucormycosis in the middle of which decade?

Answer: 1880s

Paltauf, a pioneering pathologist, worked with Gustav Scherber to detail various fungal infections. They depicted the first human case of mucormycosis in 1885.

2. What is the most common type of mucormycosis?

Answer: Rhinocerebral

Unfortunately, this nasty disease often attacks the eyes, sinuses, and brain, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Over 80% of patients with cerebral involvement die.

3. 70% of Mucor infections occur in patients with what disease?

Answer: Diabetes mellitus

Diabetic ketoacidosis gives a significant predisposition for rhinocerebral mucormycosis, while leukemia makes patients more susceptible to the pulmonary form. Other risk factors for mucormycosis include chemotherapy, AIDS, severe burns, and iron overload. A mere 4% of all cases have no discernable cause.

4. What is the only reliable antifungal drug used to combat mucormycosis?

Answer: Amphotericin B

Azoles (another type of antifungal) are completely ineffective, so extremely high levels of amphotericin B are administered.

5. Mucormycosis can be caused by Mucorales molds. What genus is the most commonly isolated from patients with this condition?

Answer: Rhizopus

These fungi are normally present in the respiratory tracts of healthy people, as well as in the soil, air, and even moldy bread. Only when a person is immunocompromised in some way can this opportunistic fungus wreak havoc.

6. What is the one hallmark symptom that should alert any doctor to the presence of rhinocerebral mucormycosis?

Answer: A dry, black scab on the nasal mucosa or palate

Although headache, bulging eyes (proptosis), and loss of extraocular nerve function can occur with this disease, the black scab (known as an "eschar") indicates deep infection and an almost definitive diagnosis.

7. In a histologic examination of biopsied material from a mucormycosis patient, cresyl violet is sometimes used as a stain. What color does Mucor turn when exposed to this solution?

Answer: Brick red

Other fungi are stained blue or violet, while the walls of Mucor turn red. Most staining techniques are only 20% reliable in showing this fungus; a definitive diagnosis is reached by observing the lack of cross walls within the fungal body, a characteristic that differentiates mucormycosis from aspergillosis (another fungal infection).

8. Can rhinocerebral mucormycosis be chronic, rather than acute?

Answer: Yes

Harril, et al. wrote a 1996 paper entitled "Chronic rhinocerebral mucormycosis," in which they discussed the 18 known cases of the disease. While the acute disease brings a person to the hospital in about 10 days, the chronic form had a median time of 7 months.

Answer: Class

Zygomycetes is the class that includes the orders Entomophthorales, Mucorales, and several others. Genera of Mucorales can be found on rotting plant matter and moldy bread, while Entomophthorales can be found in flies and in animal waste.

10. What treatment, introduced in 1955, was responsible for the first documented recovery from a battle with mucormycosis?

Answer: Amphotericin B

Amphotericin B was first isolated from Streptococcus nodosum by Gold, et al., and has been used to treat general fungal infections since 1960.

Source: Author napkintosh

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