CANDIDA 



295 



but after a few days they send out fine streamers of mycelium which 

 give them a star-like appearance. In liquid media, growth may be 

 largely confined to the bottom of the tube (as in Candida albicans) 

 or a surface film may form (as in C. Krusei). The manner of growth 

 in broth varies not only with the species but also with the rough and 

 smooth variants of a given species. Free budding cells or mycelium 

 may develop, depending upon the species, composition of the broth, 

 and the age of the culture. In lesions produced by species of Can- 

 dida, both mycelium and yeast-like cells 

 will be found. 



There has been considerable specula- 

 tion and investigation concerning the fac- 

 tors which determine the morphology of 

 these organisms, i.e., as to when they will 

 form mycelium and when assume the 

 yeast form. Such investigations have 

 been carried on almost entirely with the 

 organism of thrush, C. albicans, but the 

 results will undoubtedly be found appli- 

 cable to other members of this group as 

 well. In general, it would seem that the 

 form of the organism is more or less an 

 expression of the rate of growth. Where 

 conditions are favorable for rapid multi- 

 plication, as with an easily assimilable or 

 fermentable carbohydrate and abundant 

 aeration, the yeast form predominates. 

 When conditions are not so favorable, 

 mycelium is formed. 



The yeast cells budded from the myce- 

 lium in cultures are referred to as blastospores, oidia, or yeast-like 

 cells. In addition chlamydospores, both intercalary and terminal, 

 are occasionally formed. Fischer and Brebeck, and also Vuillemin, 

 recorded observations of ascospores, and on this basis some authors 

 have included these organisms in the ascomycetous genus Endomyces 

 (Endomycopsis) . But these observations made long ago have never 

 been confirmed and moreover recent work -^ in Italy has shown that 

 these bodies are clearly chlamydospores. There have also been noted 

 round to oval bodies formed within the mycelium that have been 

 designated endospores. These are probably fat granules. 



Authorities do not agree upon the number of species of "medical 

 Monilias" isolated from normal and pathological animal sources to 



<1E 



Fig. 116. Candida albicans. 

 Blastospores and chlamydo- 

 spores. Grown on corn meal 

 agar. 



