Characteristics of Pathogenic Fungi olT 



(b) Microsc;opic features.— Numerous interlacing segmented hyphae 

 arc present in scales. 



(c) C\ LTURAL GROWTH.— Scales should first be soaked in alcohol tor five 



to 10 minutes and then placed in dextrose broth. Many tubes become con- 

 taminated with bacteria. In tubes tree from contamination, a tew mycelial 

 filaments appear. After several weeks the fluffy mass may be transferred 

 to a solid medium. There is some resemblance to A. schoenleini. The growth 

 is compact and gray to brown, with an uneven surface. 



(d) Culture mount.— Vegetative forms are numerous. Arthrospores but 

 no microconidia are present. 



(e) Animal enoculation.— Reiss and Tshu were unable to inoculate rats, 

 guinea-pigs and rabbits. 



(f) Filtered ultraviolet radiation.— The appearance is unknown; we 

 ha\e had no experience. 



(g) Differential diagnosis.— The filaments are reputedly more numer- 

 ous and are located deeper in the epidermis than with Trichophyton. The 

 cultural growth is glabrous, and this together with the tinctorial changes 

 will serve to rule out other fungi. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY 

 Hi iss. V.: Personal communication. 



17. HORMODENDRUM PEDROSOI 



Many species of Hormodendrum are found as common saprophytes. 

 This micro-organism is one of the three fungi established as causes of 

 chromoblastomycosis and is that most frequently isolated. The fungus was 

 isolated by Pedroso in Brazil; he delayed the report until 1920. It was 

 first thoroughly described by Brumpt in 1922 and later by others. 



(a) Clinical characteristics.— The lesions of chromoblastomycosis are 

 usually found on the lower extremities. The disease may begin as a nodule; 

 the process slowly extends to adjacent skin, and when it is well dew eloped, 

 nodules, ulcers and verrucous elevations are to be found. The nodules may 

 be violaceous; a brownish color is characteristic. The disease may slowly 

 progress over many years, when large, elevated cauliflower-like tumors may 

 develop. There is no apparent tendency to systemic involvement. 



(b) Immunologic reactions.— Conant and Martin found complement- 

 fixing antibodies in the serums of immunized rabbits. There was also a 

 high titer for another species of Hormodendrum, H. compactum. 



(c) Microscopic features.— Pus removed from fresh lesions may be 

 examined. So-called sclerotic cells (Medlar), which may be septate and 



