THE PATHOGENIC FUNGI % 1009 



Microsporon furfur (Malassezia furfur). This fungus bears little 

 resemblance to the microspora which cause ring-worm. It appears 

 as septate filaments of very irregular contour 3 to 4 microns wide. 

 They are usually unbranched but interlace, forming a meshwork 

 in which are found masses of spore-like bodies. Most attempts to 

 isolate the organism have failed. A few investigators 44 have 

 reported successful cultures but their work lacks confirmation. 



ERYTHRASMA 



Erythrasma is a superficial infection of the epidermis which 

 produces round scaling patches usually located in the axillae or 

 groins. There is no evidence of inflammatory reaction except a 

 hyperemia which gives the lesions a characteristic red color. A 

 parasite is found in the epidermis which appears as minute twisted 

 threads which are easily broken up into elements about the size 

 of bacilli. Cultures have been described by Michele and by Ducrey 

 and Reale but according to others the organism cannot be cultivated. 

 It has been given various names: Microsporon minutissimum, sporo- 

 tJirix minutissimum, and nocardia minutissimum. 



"Kotjar, Kef. Baugartens Jahresbericht, 1892. 



