THE PARASITE OF THRUSH 



703 



which large spherical forms chlamydospores appear (fig. 328). These are 

 not true spores but resistant forms, which sown on a suitable medium may 

 bud and give rise to new filaments. 



FIG. 336. Thrush from the mouth, a, epithelial cells : b, rounded corpuscles : 

 d, g, 1, k, mycelial filaments. (Ch. Robin.) 



To study the chlamydospores, the Endomyces must be examined in a drop 

 of culture medium or glycerin water would cause them to rupture. 



The true reproductive organs are the asci which measure about 4/u, in dia- 

 meter and contain four ascospores. The develop- 

 ment of the latter has not been followed, but they 

 are found in the mouth, and in cultures on carrots. 



2. Cultural characteristics. Conditions of growth. 

 Endomyces albicans grows at all temperatures 

 between 28 and 39 C. and on most media. It is 

 strictly aerobic and grows well on slightly acid, 

 neutral, or moderately alkaline media : marked 

 alkalinity hinders growth and interferes with the 

 formation of the mycelium. 



Cultures can be obtained by removing a little of 

 the material from one of the lesions and, after 

 blotting it between sterile blotting paper, rubbing 

 it over a gelatin plate. It is better however to 

 dilute the material in .a little sterile water and to 

 use a drop or two of the emulsion for isolating the 

 organism on gelatin plates. 



Endomyces albicans cannot be grown in saliva (Roux 

 and Linossier). This fact explains why thrush occurs 

 chiefly in the first two months of life at a time that 

 is when the salivary secretion is not yet established 

 and during the course of diseases which are accompanied 

 by a diminution of the secretion. 



Culture media. Gelatin. The appearance of the colonies on gelatin is 

 characteristic. The growth is rapid, and a number of very white, spherical, 



FIG. 337. Endomyces albicans. 

 A, filaments from a patch of 

 thrush : B, terminal chlamydo- 

 spores : C, asci and ascospores. 

 (After Vuillemin.) 



