Question:
Which of the following fungi is difficult to isolate in culture?
Which of the following fungi is difficult to isolate in culture?
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Look for the lipid-dependent yeast that will not grow on plain Sabouraud agar.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Candida
- Dermatophytes
- Cryptococcus
- Malassezia furfur
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Concept. Most medically important fungi grow on routine Sabouraud dextrose agar. A fungus that needs special enriched media is harder to culture in the laboratory.
Step 2: Why Malassezia furfur. Malassezia furfur is a lipid-dependent (lipophilic) yeast. It does not grow on plain Sabouraud medium. The medium must be overlaid with a lipid source, classically 1% emulsified olive oil, or a specialised medium such as Dixon or modified Dixon medium must be used. This makes it the difficult one to isolate, so option (d) is correct.
Step 3: Why the others are wrong. Candida, dermatophytes, and Cryptococcus all grow readily on ordinary Sabouraud dextrose agar without a lipid supplement, so they are easy to recover in culture.
Step 4: Note. Malassezia furfur causes pityriasis versicolor, and the lipid requirement reflects its natural habitat on sebum-rich skin.
Step 2: Why Malassezia furfur. Malassezia furfur is a lipid-dependent (lipophilic) yeast. It does not grow on plain Sabouraud medium. The medium must be overlaid with a lipid source, classically 1% emulsified olive oil, or a specialised medium such as Dixon or modified Dixon medium must be used. This makes it the difficult one to isolate, so option (d) is correct.
Step 3: Why the others are wrong. Candida, dermatophytes, and Cryptococcus all grow readily on ordinary Sabouraud dextrose agar without a lipid supplement, so they are easy to recover in culture.
Step 4: Note. Malassezia furfur causes pityriasis versicolor, and the lipid requirement reflects its natural habitat on sebum-rich skin.
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