Which fungal group is characterized by broad, non-septate hyphae with right-angle branching in tissue?

Which fungal group is characterized by broad, non-septate hyphae with right-angle branching in tissue?

• A. Mucorales
• B. Aspergillus
• C. Candida
• D. Histoplasma

Answer: (A)

Broad, non-septate (aseptate) hyphae that branch at wide, near-right angles in tissue point to mucormycosis caused by Mucorales. These fungi produce large, ribbon-like hyphae that lack cross-walls and tend to branch at broad angles, traits that show up prominently when they invade tissue and blood vessels, leading to rapid tissue necrosis. This pattern helps distinguish them from other fungi: Aspergillus has slender, septate hyphae with acute-angle (around 45 degrees) branching; Candida is mainly seen as yeast cells with budding, and Histoplasma appears as small intracellular yeasts rather than broad hyphae in tissue.

Broad, non-septate (aseptate) hyphae that branch at wide, near-right angles in tissue point to mucormycosis caused by Mucorales. These fungi produce large, ribbon-like hyphae that lack cross-walls and tend to branch at broad angles, traits that show up prominently when they invade tissue and blood vessels, leading to rapid tissue necrosis. This pattern helps distinguish them from other fungi: Aspergillus has slender, septate hyphae with acute-angle (around 45 degrees) branching; Candida is mainly seen as yeast cells with budding, and Histoplasma appears as small intracellular yeasts rather than broad hyphae in tissue.