Candida Species

All of the following are true regarding Candida albicans EXCEPT:

A 58-year-old man with acute leukemia undergoing induction chemotherapy develops fever (39.2°C), chills, and hypotension. Blood cultures are pending. Empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics were started 48 hours ago without improvement. Clinical examination reveals no focal infection. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 34-year-old woman with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (HbA1c 11.2%) presents with vulvovaginal itching, burning, and thick white vaginal discharge for 2 weeks. She denies fever or abdominal pain. On speculum examination, thick white plaques are seen adherent to the vaginal mucosa. Wet mount microscopy shows budding yeast and pseudohyphae. Culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar at 37°C grows white, creamy colonies. The isolate ferments glucose and maltose but not trehalose or lactose. What is the most likely causative organism?

A 28-year-old man with newly diagnosed HIV (CD4 count 45 cells/μL) presents with oral white plaques that do not scrape off easily and esophageal dysphagia. Oral candidiasis is suspected. Which investigation is most appropriate to confirm esophageal candidiasis and assess for other opportunistic infections?

A 32-year-old woman with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus presents with vulvovaginal candidiasis. Regarding Candida species and their clinical significance, all of the following statements are correct EXCEPT: