A 40-year-old man from the Middle East presents with progressive nasal obstruction, crusting, and a woody nose. Biopsy shows Mikulicz cells with intracellular organisms. Which organism is responsible?
- A Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis ✓
- B Klebsiella pneumoniae
- C Rhinosporidium seeberi
- D Mycobacterium leprae
Correct answer: A. Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis
Explanation
Rhinoscleroma is caused by Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis. The hallmark histologic finding is Mikulicz cells (foamy macrophages containing the bacilli) and Russell bodies. K. pneumoniae causes pneumonia and UTI. Rhinosporidium causes polyps with sporangia. Lepra cells are seen in lepromatous leprosy, not Mikulicz cells.
Reference: Ananthanarayan and Panicker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.