Which organism is a dimorphic fungus capable of systemic mycosis?

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Multiple Choice

Which organism is a dimorphic fungus capable of systemic mycosis?

Dimorphic fungi switch forms depending on temperature, becoming mold in the environment and yeast in human tissues, which helps them establish infection and sometimes spread beyond the lungs. Blastomyces dermatitidis is a classic example: it grows as mold in soil and, once in the body at 37°C, converts to large yeast cells with broad-based budding. This capability underlies blastomycosis, a systemic infection that can involve skin, bone, and other organs. The other organisms listed are not true dimorphic pathogens: Candida albicans is mainly a yeast (though it can form hyphae), Aspergillus fumigatus is a mold with hyphae and does not switch to yeast, and Cryptococcus neoformans is a spherical yeast with a capsule and also lacks true dimorphism.

Dimorphic fungi switch forms depending on temperature, becoming mold in the environment and yeast in human tissues, which helps them establish infection and sometimes spread beyond the lungs. Blastomyces dermatitidis is a classic example: it grows as mold in soil and, once in the body at 37°C, converts to large yeast cells with broad-based budding. This capability underlies blastomycosis, a systemic infection that can involve skin, bone, and other organs. The other organisms listed are not true dimorphic pathogens: Candida albicans is mainly a yeast (though it can form hyphae), Aspergillus fumigatus is a mold with hyphae and does not switch to yeast, and Cryptococcus neoformans is a spherical yeast with a capsule and also lacks true dimorphism.

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