Which statement about Pneumocystis jiroveci is correct?

Study for the NBEO Microbiology exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which statement about Pneumocystis jiroveci is correct?

Explanation:
Pneumocystis jirovecii is a fungus, specifically a yeast-like organism. It belongs to the fungal kingdom, not to bacteria or viruses, and it is described as yeast-like because its growth form is unicellular rather than filamentous. It is not a mold, which would imply true hyphal, filamentous structures. In clinical contexts it causes Pneumocystis pneumonia in immunocompromised patients and is identified using special stains on respiratory samples rather than by routine bacterial culture. So describing it as a yeast best fits its taxonomic placement and laboratory behavior.

Pneumocystis jirovecii is a fungus, specifically a yeast-like organism. It belongs to the fungal kingdom, not to bacteria or viruses, and it is described as yeast-like because its growth form is unicellular rather than filamentous. It is not a mold, which would imply true hyphal, filamentous structures. In clinical contexts it causes Pneumocystis pneumonia in immunocompromised patients and is identified using special stains on respiratory samples rather than by routine bacterial culture. So describing it as a yeast best fits its taxonomic placement and laboratory behavior.

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