Case Study 1 Mycology Individual Case Studies A 42-year-old woman with chronic asthma presents for evaluation of a cough

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Case Study 1 Mycology Individual Case Studies A 42 Year Old Woman With Chronic Asthma Presents For Evaluation Of A Cough 1 (106.99 KiB) Viewed 23 times

Case Study 1 Mycology Individual Case Studies A 42-year-old woman with chronic asthma presents for evaluation of a cough. She has had severe asthma for most of her life and currently uses both inhaled and oral corticosteroids, oral leukotriene modifiers, and inhaled albuterol to manage her symptoms. While in the process of tapering down her dose of oral steroids, she developed a cough productive of brown mucous and, occasionally, blood. She has had a low-grade fever as well. Her asthma control has been significantly worsened since she developed the cough. On examination, she has a temperature of 37.7° C (99.9 ° F) and a respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute, her saturation of oxygen is slightly low (96 percent on room air). She is coughing frequently. Her head and neck exam is unremarkable. Her pulmonary examination is noted for diffuse expiratory wheezing. A chest x-ray shows a lobar infiltrate that is reminiscent of a cluster of grapes. A complete blood count (CBC) shows a markedly elevated eosinophil count. A microscopic examination of her sputum is also notable for the presence of numerous eosinophils. Questions 1. What organism is most likely causing her cough? (Please see the above image) 2. What is the characteristic morphology of this organism seen on microscopic examination? 3. How does infection with this organism occur? 4. Names the diseases associated with this organism. 5. What are the factors associated with this organism that contribute to its ability to cause infection? 6. How is diagnosis of this isolate made, besides having a positive fungal culture for the isolate? 7. What is the course of treatment for infection with the isolate in the image above?