Appearance of Fungi on Direct Examination 239 



recognized on microscopic examination. In ectothrix infections (T. gyp- 

 seum, T. niveum, T. purpureum), the spores arc of medium size and occur 

 in irregular groups, compact or loose, outside the hair shaft. We seldom 

 see follicular infections due to ectothriv 



2. SCALES 



With tinea glabrosa the fungus is usually present in the scales as fila- 

 ments (Fig. 69). If the infection is of long duration, numbers of spores 

 may he noted. It should he mentioned here that spores may be readily 

 confused with artefacts such as oil droplets. 



With tinea versicolor there are groups of spores (double-contoured) 

 and numerous filaments which readily become segmented (Fig. 88). 



When scales from lesions of tinea cruris are removed and examined, 

 filaments or spores in chains are seen. If the infecting micro-organism is E. 

 inguinale, the elements are large. The number of elements present in a 

 specimen may vary, but with E. inguinale the number is usually greater 

 than with T. purpureum or T. gypseum. 



3. MACERATED SKIN 



The appearance of T. gypseum, T. purpureum or E. inguinale is similar 

 to that noted in scales; i.e., the fungus occurs as chains of spores. Monilia 

 albicans is sometimes revealed as clusters of spores and nonseptated hyphae. 



4. ROOFS OF VESICLES 



Here again septate mycelium or chains of spores may be noted, sometimes 

 in profusion. It is in this tissue particularly that one is apt to note mosaic 

 fungi, the exact nature of which is as yet imperfectly understood (see the 

 section on artefacts, Chapter XX, p. 246). 



5. NAIL TISSUE 



In leukonychia trichophytica, fungi are noted on the surface of the nail. 

 When there is overlapping of toes, the nail on which an adjacent toe rests 

 is frequently infected. In other infections due to T. gypseum and in those 

 due to T. purpureum the infection is often seen in the deeper part of the 

 nail. One may observe hyphae similar to those noted in scales, macerated 

 skin or the roofs of vesicles. These seldom branch; the elements are fairly 

 homologous, and they are not seen in a tangled network. Many spores may 



