Asteroid bodies are seen in histological examination in tissues infected with which of the following causative agent?

Asteroid bodies are seen in association with Sporotrichosis. Sporotrichosis is an infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii a thermally dimorphic fungus. In H&E stained tissue, the asteroid body consists of a central basophilic yeast cell surrounded by radiating extensions of eosinophilic material, which are depositions of antigen antibody complexes and complement. Sporotrichosis occurs following traumatic inseion of S schenckii into the skin. The initial lesion is usually located on an extremity which later develops into a granulomatous nodule that may progress to form a necrotic or ulcerative lesion. The draining lymphatics becomes thickened and cor like. It can be seen when stained with Gomori methenamine silver or periodic acid-Schiff stain. It can be cultured on Sabouraud's agar containing antibacterial antibiotics and incubated at 25-30degC. Ref:Brooks G.F., Carroll K.C., Butel J.S., Morse S.A., Mietzner T.A. (2013). Chapter 45. Medical Mycology. In G.F. Brooks, K.C. Carroll, J.S. Butel, S.A. Morse, T.A. Mietzner (Eds), Jawetz, Melnick, & Adelberg's Medical Microbiology, 26e