**Core Concept**
The question requires the identification of a specific fungal infection characterized by a unique morphology, specifically a "figure of 8" appearance. This is a classic teaching point in medical microbiology, highlighting the distinctive features of various fungal pathogens.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Blastomycosis is caused by the dimorphic fungus *Blastomyces dermatitidis*. In its yeast form, *B. dermatitidis* exhibits a characteristic "figure of 8" or "pilot wheel" appearance due to the presence of multiple narrow-based budding yeast cells. This distinctive morphology is a key diagnostic feature of blastomycosis, particularly when observed in tissue samples or clinical specimens. The "figure of 8" appearance is a result of the yeast cells' tendency to bud in a perpendicular direction, creating a distinctive shape that is often described as a "pilot wheel" or "sail boat" appearance.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Paracoccidiomycosis is caused by *Paracoccidioides brasiliensis*, which exhibits a "ship's wheel" or "pilot wheel" appearance due to its multiple narrow-based budding yeast cells. However, this morphology is different from the "figure of 8" appearance seen in blastomycosis.

**Option B:** Coccidiomycosis is caused by *Coccidioides immitis*, which exhibits a spherule appearance in tissue samples, not a "figure of 8" appearance.

**Option D:** Sporotrichosis is caused by *Sporothrix schenckii*, which exhibits a cigar-shaped or elongated yeast cell morphology, but not a "figure of 8" appearance.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
When diagnosing fungal infections, it's essential to recognize the distinctive morphological features of each pathogen. The "figure of 8" appearance of *B. dermatitidis* is a classic teaching point in medical microbiology, and remembering this feature can help you differentiate blastomycosis from other fungal infections.

**✓ Correct Answer: C. Blastomycosis**