Step 1 Question of the Week: Fungi and Parasites

Step 1 Question of the week: fungi and parasites

This week’s edition of the Step 1 Question of the Week is about fungi and parasites.  See if you can answer the question and then watch the video to learn the correct answer as well as the rationales for each option.

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Fungi and Parasites

A 24-year-old man comes to the emergency department because of profuse bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps for the past week. He also reports mucus in his stool, low-grade fevers, and a 5-lb (2.27-kg) weight loss. He recently traveled to Mexico, where he drank untreated water. Physical examination shows diffuse abdominal tenderness without rebound or guarding. The remainder of the physical examination and results of a complete blood count are unremarkable. A stool sample is sent for laboratory evaluation.

Which of the following is most likely to be seen on further examination of blood and/or stool samples from this patient?

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
We invite you to leave a comment with your answer as well as your rationale.  When you’re ready to check your work, watch the video!
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