Showing papers in "Medical Mycology in 1972"
TL;DR: Thirty-one strains of Phialophora verrucosa and 34 of P. pedrosoi were isolated from 328 samples of plant debris, soil and other materials via inoculated animals and by direct culture.
Abstract: Thirty-one strains of Phialophora verrucosa and 34 of P. pedrosoi were isolated from 328 samples of plant debris, soil and other materials via inoculated animals and by direct culture.From 32 of 64 samples of non-living materials from trees and rotten palm-tree trunks, 1 or both species have been isolated. P, verrucosa was obtained from 7 of 10 wasp nests. Positive results were recorded from 10·8% of 120 samples of soil which usually contained plant debris.The pathogenicity of the strains recovered from natural sources is presumably based on the mycological and biological similarity between them and those isolated from man. The frequent isolation from nature of the causal organisms of chromoblastomycosis contrasts with the rarity of the disease in Uruguay.
57 citations
TL;DR: Observations between March and November when the average monthly temperature was 13°C indicated that Microsporum gypseum preferred carbonate-meadow soil with the highest humus content, and Keratinomyces ajelloi was directly related to soil humidity, while Trichophyton terrestre was indirectly related.
Abstract: In 3 different soils, carbonate-meadow, carbonate-chernozem-meadow and carbonatealluvial soil, investigated about 1 km from one another, the influence of ecological factors on keratinophilic fungi particularly Keratinomyces ajelloi and Trichophyton terrestre was examined. Observations between March and November when the average monthly temperature was 13°C indicated that Microsporum gypseum preferred carbonate-meadow soil with the highest (5·1%) humus content. K. ajelloi was less markedly correlated with this soil. T. terrestre preferred carbonate-alluvial soil with the lowest (1·5%) humus content. K. ajelloi was directly related to soil humidity, while T. terrestre was indirectly related.
56 citations
TL;DR: From these in vitro results, it is possible that 5-fluorocytosine may show greater activity in vivo than clotrimazole against yeasts responsible for candidiasis in humans.
Abstract: Minimum inhibitory concentrations of amphotericin B, clotrimazole and 5-fluorocytosine have been determined against 413 yeast strains isolated from clinical material. All 343 strains of Candida albicans were inhibited by 4 μg/ml of amphotericin B and by 16 μg/ml of clotrimazole, while 40 (11·7%) were resistant (MIC≥ 50 μg/ml) to 5-fluorocytosine. The 53 strains of Torulopsis glabrata were more sensitive to amphotericin B and less sensitive to clotrimazole than were the C. albicans strains, and 14 (24%) were resistant to 5-fluorocytosine. At concentrations of the drugs attainable in vivo (2–3, 3 and 100 μg/ml respectively), 83·4%, 16·7% and 89% of all the strains isolated would be inhibited by amphotericin B, clotrimazole and 5-fluorocytosine. From these in vitro results, it is possible that 5-fluorocytosine may show greater activity in vivo than clotrimazole against yeasts responsible for candidiasis in humans.
49 citations
TL;DR: The degree of phagocytosis by rabbit lung macrophages has been studied for the spores of 4 fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus, an aflatoxin- producing and a non-aflatoxin-producing strain of A. flavus and Rhizopus arrhizus.
Abstract: The degree of phagocytosis by rabbit lung macrophages has been studied for the spores of 4 fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus, an aflatoxin-producing and a non-aflatoxin-producing strain of A. flavus and Rhizopus arrhizus. Parallel tests using inert particles of polystyrene of corresponding size were used. The degree of phagocytosis for all, except R. arrhizus, was markedly higher than for the corresponding particles.
42 citations
TL;DR: Proteolytic activity of 101 isolates of dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, 92, and T. mentagrophytes, 5, and Epidermophyton floccosum, 2, determined using egg albumin as the substrate revealed spongiosis, dermo-epidermal splits and inflammation.
Abstract: Proteolytic activity of 101 isolates of dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, 92; T. mentagrophytes, 5; T. violaceum, 2 and Epidermophyton floccosum, 2; from 158 patients was determined using egg albumin as the substrate. The values were 0·76 – 10·63 mg tyrosine/100 mg fungal mat for T. rubrum; 11·25 – 15·66 mg for T. mentagrophytes; 10·28 – 18·25 mg for T. violaceum and 0·60 – 6·19 mg for E. floccosum. The inflammatory reaction was related to the proteolytic activity of T. mentagrophytes but not of T. rubrum.Intradermal injections of 11 fungal extracts into excised human skin produced spongiosis in all and dermo-epidermal splits in 7. Twenty-five fungal extracts injected intradermally in dogs resulted in erythema and induration at the sites of injection within 6 h which increased in intensity till 72 h. These sites revealed spongiosis, dermo-epidermal splits and inflammation. Application of fungal extracts on the stripped forearm skin of 15 human volunteers produced erythema in all and papulovesicles in 3....
40 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that over 90% of suspensions of synchronous blastospores are killed by the leucocytes in autologous plasma, but when the plasma is treated with zymosan or Candida cell wall antigens less than 50% of the inoculum is killed.
Abstract: Experiments on the killing of the young synchronous blastospores of C. albicans in blood from normal subjects and diabetic patients are described. With inocula of between 10 and 100 young blastospores about 75% of the inoculum was killed in 5 hr., and as the concentration of the inoculum was increased an increase in the percentage survival occurred. The killing of propagules with hyphal lengths up to 200 μ was within the same range as that for small blastospores. The capacity of the blood to kill propagules with hyphal lengths greater than 200 μ rapidly decreased with increasing length of the hyphae. Visual observations on the phagocytosis of C. albicans by polymorphonuclear leucocytes are described.It is shown that over 90% of suspensions of synchronous blastospores are killed by the leucocytes in autologous plasma, but when the plasma is treated with zymosan or Candida cell wall antigens less than 50% of the inoculum is killed. Adsorbtion of serum with a C. albicans somatic antigen had little effect on ...
35 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that in human serum or plasma, although the growth of C. albicans is not inhibited, a transient cessation of multiplication occurs and possible reasons for this are discussed.
Abstract: The production of uniformly sized blastospores by means of a linear density gradient and its use to induce synchronous growth in Candida albicans are described Synchronous development in broth and serum and the absence of multiplication during the first 8 hours after blastospores are inoculated into serum are reported Consideration is given to exponential multiplication by blastospore production in broth, the linear development of hyphae in serum, and hyphal growth by the acquisition of increments in an arithmetical progression When small synchronously growing blastospores were inoculated into serum, all developed germ tubes, and following a lag phase in the rate of hyphal elongation, a hyphal growth rate of 39·8 μ per hour was observed It is concluded that in human serum or plasma, although the growth of C albicans is not inhibited, a transient cessation of multiplication occurs and possible reasons for this are discussed
24 citations
TL;DR: A strong basophilia was demonstrated in human hair attacked, in vitro, by Microsporum gypseum, and histochemical studies showed that in the regions attacked, S-thiosulphate esters were present apart from the carboxyls originating by proteolysis of peptide chains.
Abstract: A strong basophilia was demonstrated in human hair attacked, in vitro, by Microsporum gypseum. With model substrates e.g. chemically modified keratins, histochemical studies showed that in the regions attacked, S-thiosulphate esters were present apart from the carboxyls originating by proteolysis of peptide chains. Such groups arise from cleavage of cystine bonds by sulphite. Previous personal work showed that sulphite was produced during growth of the fungus on a cystine-containing medium and it is assumed that the denaturation of keratin by sulphitolysis could be a key reaction in keratin decomposition by dermatophytes.
24 citations
TL;DR: Three cases of subcutaneous phycomycoses in south Indians are reported and the specific diagnosis was made by histopathology and by the isolation of Basidiobolus haptosporus from each of the cases.
Abstract: Three cases of subcutaneous phycomycoses in south Indians are reported. Two of the lesions were in children: an 8 year-old girl having a lesion of the thigh and a 2 1/2 year-old boy of the whole upper limb and pectoral region; the third was in a 28 year-old man who had lesions of the thigh and gluteal region. The specific diagnosis was made by histopathology and by the isolation of Basidiobolus haptosporus from each of the cases. The girl responded well to wide excision and skin grafting followed by potassium iodide (KI) treatment. With KI treatment there was remarkable improvement in the boy and fair response in 9 days in the 28 year-old man.
22 citations
TL;DR: A survey of rural and urban student populations was undertaken to determine the prevalence of dermatomycoses in the district of Puri (Orissa), Tinea corporis was found to be the predominant disease in rural area whereas t.
Abstract: A survey of rural and urban student populations was undertaken to determine the prevalence of dermatomycoses in the district of Puri (Orissa). Tinea corporis was found to be the predominant disease in rural area whereas t. cruris was dominant in the urban area. T. capitis was absent in both areas.Except for M. gypseum no other dermatophyte was isolated from soil. T. rubrum (87·5%) was the most commonly isolated fungus. Among the geophilic fungi isolated from soil, species of Chrysosporium were found to be the most common.Arachniotus flavoluteus, Petalosporus anodosus, Pseudoarachniotus citrinus, P. hyalinosporus and one unidentified Gymnoascacean were often associated with superficial mycosis. Asexual spores were observed in the isolates of P. nodulosus, P. citrinus and in the unidentified Gymnoascaous isolate.
22 citations
TL;DR: The inhibitory effect of estradiol, norethynodrel, progesterone, testosterone and diethylstilbestrol on 7 human isolates of C. neoformans was determined and they completely suppressed the growth of all isolates and moderately inhibited the remainder.
Abstract: The inhibitory effect of estradiol, norethynodrel, progesterone, testosterone and diethylstilbestrol on 7 human isolates of C. neoformans was determined. Northynodrel, progesterone or testosterone had no apparent effect on their growth. Diethylstilhestrol at a concentration of 10 μg/ml completely suppressed the growth of all isolates and estradiol at a concentration of 1·0 μg/ml completely suppressed the growth of 3 isolates and moderately inhibited the remainder.
TL;DR: Arthroderma insingulare is described as a new species of the Gymnoascaceae with a conidial state in the Trichophyton terrestre complex that has a moderate number of 2-celled conidia in addition to many 1-celling conidia.
Abstract: Arthroderma insingulare is described as a new species of the Gymnoascaceae with a conidial state in the Trichophyton terrestre complex. The conidial state of A. insingulare has a moderate number of 2-celled conidia in addition to many 1-celled conidia. This differentiates it from A. cuniculi which has predominantly 1-celled conidia with a few 2–3-celled conidia present in some strains, and A. quadrifidum which has many multiseptate conidia in most isolates. Some isolates of A. insingulare form red pigment on the reverse as do some isolates of A. quadrifidum and most isolates of A. ciferrii. A. insingulare is known to occur in Canada, U.S.A., Hungary and Czechoslovakia.
TL;DR: It is suggested that with sufficiently high serum IgG antibody titers, antibody may pass into the CSF in the absence of CNS involvement and be demonstrated after concentrated CSF and testing by immunodiffusion.
Abstract: The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 19 patients with non-meningeal coccidioidomycosis was found to contain coccidioidal antibodies. The complement fixation test was negative with these specimens but antibodies could be demonstrated after concentrating the CSF and testing by immunodiffusion. The serum complement fixation titer of these patients was generally 1:16 or higher. Five additional patients with non-meningeal coccidioidomycosis had no detectable coccidioidal antibody in their CSF by complement fixation or immunodiffusion. It is suggested that with sufficiently high serum IgG antibody titers, antibody may pass into the CSF in the absence of CNS involvement.
TL;DR: The source of infection and the saprophytic existence of N. caviae in Indian soils are discussed and two cases of actinomycetoma pedis caused by Nocardia caviae are described.
Abstract: Two cases of actinomycetoma pedis caused by Nocardia caviae are described Both presented with mycetoma pedis of the right foot with multiple seropurulent discharging sinuses devoid of granules One had no definite history of trauma but the patient usually worked barefoot in fields The other had a history of operation at the site of the diseaseN caviae isolated from these cases was considered to be the causative agent The source of infection and the saprophytic existence of N caviae in Indian soils are discussed These are the first cases reported from India and only 2 other similar cases have been reported
TL;DR: An investigation was made of the morphologic stability of the anthropophilic dermatophyte, Trichophyton rubrum, a causative organism of chronic mycoses of the skin, with results ranging from highly sporulating, pigmented forms to downy isolates.
Abstract: An investigation was made of the morphologic stability of the anthropophilic dermatophyte, Trichophyton rubrum, a causative organism of chronic mycoses of the skin. Seven distinct strains were delineated and described with differing morphological stabilities ranging from highly sporulating, pigmented forms to downy isolates. Stability was confirmed by single microconidiospore cultures.
TL;DR: itin was identified as a wall component by release of N-acetylglucosamine during enzymatic digestions of the walls with Streptomyces griseus chit inase and the presence of chitin in the walls and alkali-insoluble residues was confirmed by X-ray powder analysis.
Abstract: Chemical analyses demonstrated the similar compositions of hyphal walls isolated from the chromomycosis agents Phialophora verrucosa, P. pedrosoi and Cladosporium carrionii. Unfractionated walls of each species consisted of large amounts of glucose (17–31%) and protein components (29–42%) and smaller amounts of mannose (8–14%) and glucosamine (6–8%). Alkali-soluble wall fractions consisted predominantly of glucose and mannose, while alkali-insoluble wall fractions consisted predominately of glucosamine and protein components. Chitin was identified as a wall component by release of N-acetylglucosamine during enzymatic digestions of the walls with Streptomyces griseus chitinase. The presence of chitin in the walls and alkali-insoluble residues was confirmed by X-ray powder analysis. The suggestion is made that the hyphal forms of human pathogenic fungi have wall compositions intermediate between those of euascomycetes and hemiascomycetes.
TL;DR: It is suggested that there may be at least one perfect species other than A. benhamiae in the T. mentagrophytes complex, and incompatibility between some strains of opposite type is revealed.
Abstract: Of 8 isolates of T. mentagrophytes and 2 of T. interdigitale none was compatible with A. benhamiae + or -.A fertile mating between 2 T. mentagrophytes isolates enabled us to obtain numerous single ascospore isolates. Mating experiments with these isolates, their parent strains and the other isolates of T. mentagrophytes studied, revealed incompatibility between some strains of opposite type. None of the single ascospore isolates was compatible with A. benhamiae + or -, but fertile cleistothecia were obtained in matings with 2 of the other T. mentagrophytes isolates.These results and the study of the morphology suggest that there may be at least one perfect species other than A. benhamiae in the T. mentagrophytes complex.
TL;DR: Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum isolates from the moist skin surrounding chronic venous ulcers of the leg were not pathogenic to pea, wheat or tomato, andHistology of affected skin from around leg ulcers suggested that none of the fungi attacked keratinised cells in vivo.
Abstract: Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum isolates from the moist skin surrounding chronic venous ulcers of the leg were not pathogenic to pea, wheat or tomato (one variety of each plant). However, their temperature preference, measured by radial growth rate, was only slightly above that of isolates from pea roots. An isolate of F. solani from mycotic keratitis (F. solani K) markedly preferred the higher temperatures tested.At Water Activity (Aw) 1·0 (i.e. Relative Humidity 100%) Fusarium isolates from all sources freely utilised autoclaved callus as sole source of nutrient, but F. solani K did so in a different manner from the other isolates. Neither Candida parapsilosis nor C. albicans grew on the substrate freely. None of the fungi grew on callus at Aw 0·85, but at Aw 0·92 some growth of Fusaria took place, especially in the epithelial pearls; at Aw 0·97 mycelial fronds were formed.Histology of affected skin from around leg ulcers suggested that none of the fungi attacked keratinised cells in vivo.
TL;DR: Fusarium dimerum Penzig was, repeatedly, isolated for the first time from a case of keratomycosis and showed a typical corneal ulcer with hypopyon caused without any previous injury.
Abstract: SummaryFusarium dimerum Penzig was, repeatedly, isolated for the first time from a case of keratomycosis. The patient, 32 year old woman, showed a typical corneal ulcer with hypopyon caused without any previous injury.
TL;DR: The histopathological findings in a case of cardiac zygomycosis in an Australian parakeet are reported.
Abstract: The histopathological findings in a case of cardiac zygomycosis in an Australian parakeet are reported.
TL;DR: The response of C. albicans to FeCl3 in serum-containing media indicates that the mycelial form may have a metabolism requiring iron for continued growth, and indicates how initiation of widespread candidiasis is prevented in a “normal” individual.
Abstract: The phenomenon of iron-reversible inhibition of growth of C albicans in serum, germ-tube formation in serum, and the lack of catalase activity in cells of C albicans grown in serum-containing media are related events which may demonstrate how initiation of widespread candidiasis is prevented in a “normal” individual C albicans depended on iron, added as FeCl3, for growth in neopeptone-glucose broth containing 2–25% pooled human serum Where serum was omitted, iron additions had a negligible effect on growthIn the presence of serum, C albicans tends to grow in the mycelial form The germ-tubes that rapidly grow out from the yeast form are the initiation of mycelia Addition of 0·2–0·3% phenethyl alcohol to serum resulted in the suppression of germ-tube formation, and the subsequent development of budding yeast cells The response of C albicans to FeCl3 in serum-containing media indicates that the mycelial form may have a metabolism requiring iron for continued growth Since germ-tube formation also
TL;DR: The time of Microsporum gypseum macroconidial development, with particular regard to spore ornamentation, was studied with the scanning electron microscope and revealed that the polyps were contiguous with the outer layer of the trilaminar cell wall.
Abstract: The time of Microsporum gypseum macroconidial development, with particular regard to spore ornamentation, was studied with the scanning electron microscope. The roughness of the spores was seen to be due to rounded projections (averaging 0·8 μ in diameter) which we have termed polyps; they were formed 2–3 h after macroconidial development.Thin sections of macroconidia revealed that the polyps were contiguous with the outer layer of the trilaminar cell wall.
TL;DR: Cysteine-HCl, sodium sulfite, sodium dithionite, and sodium thiosulfate annulled amphotericin-mediated growth inhibition of susceptible organisms and protected mouse erthrocytes from amphotericIn-induced hemolysis.
Abstract: Reducing agents, both organic and inorganic, decreased the biological activity of amphotericin B. Cysteine-HCl, sodium sulfite, sodium dithionite, and sodium thiosulfate annulled amphotericin-mediated growth inhibition of susceptible organisms. These compounds also protected mouse erthrocytes from amphotericin-induced hemolysis. The reducing agents reacted, apparently irreversibly, with the heptaene chromophore of the antibiotic molecule. This reaction was reflected in altered spectrophotometric properties of the antibiotic and was associated with its loss of activity.
TL;DR: The morphology of Malassezia furfur has been investigated using both the emissive and cathodoluminescence modes of operation in the scanning electron microscope, and it has proved possible to show that the hyphae and “spores” are strong sources of luminescence emission.
Abstract: The morphology of Malassezia furfur has been investigated using both the emissive and cathodoluminescence modes of operation in the scanning electron microscope. The three-dimensional relationships of the parasite with its human host squames, and also the various morphological manifestations of the parasite in typical cases of Pityriasis versicolor, have been studied in the presence of hyphae; and various kinds of “spores” have been demonstrated. The fluorescence of the lesions in ultraviolet light is a well known phenomenon, but using cathodoluminescence, it has proved possible to show that the hyphae and “spores” are strong sources of luminescence emission.
TL;DR: Unadsorbed as well as adsorbed fluorescein-labeled Histoplasma capsulatum antiglobulins stain H. Capsulatum in culture and in paraffin sections of fixed tissue from active cases of histoplasmosis.
Abstract: Unadsorbed as well as adsorbed fluorescein-labeled Histoplasma capsulatum antiglobulins stain H. capsulatum in culture and in paraffin sections of fixed tissue from active cases of histoplasmosis. Hence, these reagents can be used to great advantage for the identification of the organism in active histoplasmosis. However, in calcified (healed) lesions, fluorescent antibody staining becomes unreliable and is inferior to comparatively simple methods like the use of silver methenamine stain of Grocott.
TL;DR: Clotrimazole (Bay b 5097) was studied for its antifungal activity both in vitro and in vivo and in 7 patients infected with these fungi, the drug had no beneficial effect and one patient developed anaemia another showed signs of liver toxicity.
Abstract: Clotrimazole (Bay b 5097) was studied for its antifungal activity both in vitro and in vivo. In 30 of 33 strains of Madurella mycetomi tested, and in both strains of Aspergillus flavus, the M.I.C. was as low as 0.1–1.0 μg/ml but in 7 patients infected with these fungi (5 with mycetoma and 2 with paranasal aspergilloma), the drug had no beneficial effect at 60 mg/kg per day given orally over an average period of treatment of 127 days. Gastrointestinal side effects and dysuria were noticed in all patients. One patient developed anaemia another showed signs of liver toxicity. Local treatment with a 1% solution of the drug was however successful in 2 cases of paronychia due to Candida albicans.
TL;DR: Nearly 6% of F1 progeny, though they produced limited numbers of pseudocleistothecia or cleistothecial initials, did not mate successfully with parental strains, and it was possible, however, to determine the mating type of these strains by sib-crossings.
Abstract: Five hundred and forty F1 progeny obtained from Arthroderma simii, IMI 101694 × IMI 101695, were tested for their mating type to determine the genetic control of their incompatibility system. Of these, 228 were+, 305 were-, and 7 were self-fertile strains. The tetrad analysis from 10 asci revealed that the ratio between + and - is 1:1. The analysis also suggested that the significant deviation from a 1:1 ratio between + and - in the 540 randomly isolated progeny was due to more frequent failure of + type ascospores to germinate than the - type. The microconidia isolated from the 7 self-fertile strains yielded either + or - colonies, indicating that the strains were not the homothallic recombinants.Nearly 6% of F1 progeny, though they produced limited numbers of pseudocleistothecia or cleistothecial initials, did not mate successfully with parental strains. It was possible, however, to determine the mating type of these strains by sib-crossings. Variations in size and shape of macro- and microconidia, in p...
TL;DR: Scanning electronmicroscopy (X 10 000–20 000) reveals specific differences within the Microsporum gypseum complex.
Abstract: SummaryScanning electronmicroscopy (X 10 000–20 000) reveals specific differences within the Microsporum gypseum complex. The macroconidia of Nannizzia incurvata have irregularly arranged, spherical outgrowths; those of N. gypsea have similar-sized outgrowths, serially arranged, while those of N. fulva have vesicles and very fine papillae.
TL;DR: A fatal case of pulmonary nocardiasis due to Nocardia brasiliensis in the armadillo Dasypus septemcinctus is reported and the pathogenesis of the infection is discussed.
Abstract: A fatal case of pulmonary nocardiasis due to Nocardia brasiliensis in the armadillo Dasypus septemcinctus is reported. The pathogenesis of the infection is discussed. Granules were not seen probably because of the rapid course of the disease which lasted 40 days.
TL;DR: The collapsed ascospores closely resemble human red blood cells in shape and were presumably caused by dehydration.
Abstract: Ascospores of 7 of the 8 known species of Nannizzia and of Arthroderma flavescens were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The ascospores were oblate sphaeroids mostly with polar depressions which were presumably caused by dehydration. The collapsed ascospores closely resemble human red blood cells in shape.