<prompt> Maltese cross is seen on polarizing microscopy in which of following?Cryptococcus neoformansPenicillium marneffeiPlasmodium falciparumCandida albicans  <response>: In Polarized light maltese cross appearance is seen in cryptococcus. So-called Maltese cross formations on the blood film are essentially diagnostic of babesiosis, since they are not seen in malaria, the primary differential diagnosis. Ref: Brooks G.F., Carroll K.C., Butel J.S., Morse S.A., Mietzneron T.A. 2010. Chapter 45. Medical Mycology. In G.F. Brooks, K.C. Carroll, J.S. Butel, S.A. Morse, T.A. Mietzneron Eds, Jawetz, Melnick, Adelbergs Medical Microbiology, 25e. 