A 56-Year-Old Man Hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit Is

A 56-year-old man hospitalized in the intensive care unit is being evaluated for fever.  He was admitted 8 days ago with respiratory failure and has had a complicated hospital course, including mechanical ventilation, central venous line placement, and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy.  The patient has a history of HIV and a hematologic malignancy.  His last chemotherapy session was 2 weeks ago.  Chest x-ray does not reveal a new infiltrate, and urine cultures are negative for infection.  Blood cultures grow pseudohyphae-producing yeast species with an ability to form germ tubes.  Which of the following most likely directly contributed to the development of fungemia in this patient?

A) Complement deficiency
B) Hypogammaglobulinemia
C) Low eosinophil count
D) Low neutrophil count
E) Low T-lymphocyte count

Correct Answer:

Verified

Unlock this answer now
Get Access to more Verified Answers free of charge

Access For Free