Bread mold can cause which disease?
a. Aspergillosis
b. Dermatophytosis
c. Mycetoma
d. Zygomycosis

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what bread mold is. Bread mold commonly refers to fungi from the genus Rhizopus, which are zygomycetes.
2. Step 2: Review the diseases listed and identify which are caused by zygomycetes. Aspergillosis is caused by Aspergillus species, dermatophytosis by dermatophytes (fungi that infect skin), mycetoma is a chronic subcutaneous infection caused by various fungi and bacteria, and zygomycosis is caused by fungi in the order Mucorales, including Rhizopus species.
3. Step 3: Connect the causative agent of bread mold (Rhizopus) to the disease it causes. Since Rhizopus is a zygomycete, it is associated with zygomycosis.
4. Step 4: Conclude that bread mold can cause zygomycosis, which is a serious fungal infection often affecting immunocompromised individuals.
5. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer corresponds to option d. zygomycosis.

Key Concepts

Bread Mold and Its Classification

Bread mold commonly refers to fungi like Rhizopus species, which belong to the Zygomycetes class. Understanding the type of fungus involved helps identify the diseases it can cause, as different molds are associated with specific infections.

Zygomycosis (Mucormycosis)

Zygomycosis is a fungal infection caused by molds in the order Mucorales, including Rhizopus species found in bread mold. It primarily affects immunocompromised individuals and can cause severe tissue damage, making it the disease linked to bread mold.

Differentiation of Fungal Diseases

Diseases like aspergillosis, dermatophytosis, and mycetoma are caused by different fungi: Aspergillus species, dermatophytes, and various fungi respectively. Recognizing these distinctions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.