HYPHOMYCETES 645 



De Beurmann and Gougerot * have described a number of species 

 of sporotrices which are differentiated by variations in pigment pro- 

 duction, in optimum temperature, and in profusion and morphology of 

 the conidia in culture. Other observers believe all these organisms 

 belong to the same species. The diagnosis may be made in some cases 

 by finding conidia in the softened material from the lesions. These are 

 best demonstrated by Gram's stain. In other cases it is necessary to 

 resort to cultural methods, as the conidia can not always be found on 

 direct examination. 



Only a few cases of the disease have been reported in this country, but 

 it is apparently common in France and has been reported in nearly 

 every quarter of the globe. The lesions are usually subcutaneous, but 

 visceral forms have been described. Numerous types of lesions are 

 found. The commonest forms are disseminated nodules which re- 

 semble gummata. In other cases there are scattered subcutaneous 

 abscesses which are usually associated with lymphangitis. There is also a 

 papulo-vesicular form which usually leads to ulceration. The lesions 

 are chronic in character and simulate the lesions of syphilis or tuberculosis, 

 for which conditions many cases of sporotrichosis have probably been 

 mistaken. Nodular lesions have also been found in the bones, in 

 lymph nodes, and in the lungs and kidney. The lesions consist of foci 

 of chronic granulation, the tissue containing numerous giant cells, 

 which later undergo separation. There is as a rule little systemic 

 disturbance associated with the disease. The lesions often heal spon- 

 taneously, leaving dense scars, but clear up very rapidly under iodide 

 therapy. 



The most susceptible laboratory animals are mice and rats which 

 show lesions resembling those in man associated with marked cachexia, 

 though the disease is seldom fatal. The disease has also been produced 

 in rabbits, guinea-pigs, and dogs, though these animals are not sus- 

 ceptible to all strains. In making cultures De Beurmann and Gougerot 

 recommend the use of Sabouraud's glucose pepton agar (water, 1,000 c.c.; 

 pepton, 10 gm.; glucose, 40 gm.; agar, 18 gm.; not neutralized). Taylor 2 

 recommends glycerin agar with the addition of dextrose and 1 per cent 

 acetic or citric acid as the most favorable medium for these organisms. 

 Tubes should be inoculated with large amounts of pus (1 c.c. if pos- 

 sible), and should be incubated for several days at room temperature. 



1 De Beurmann et Gougerot, "Traite des Sporotrichoses," Felix Alcan, Paris, 1912. 

 1 Taylor, Jour. A. M. A., 1913, Ix, 1142. 



