FUNGI IMPERFECTI— BLASTOMYCOSIS 305 



certain conditions the cells may grow out into threads, but in these threads no subsequent 

 segmentation occurs; jointed threads arise through budding (Cienkowsky, Grawitz). A dilute 

 culture-medium favors the formation of threads. 



Oidiitm granuhmaiogenes. (Sanfelicc). Panimel. Blastomycosis. 



Forms nodular masses; grows in ordinary media; ferments sugar; uniform 

 clouding of media; colonies white; the nodules consist of the fungus, giant 

 epithelioid cells; causes a cheesy degeneration. 



Distribution. Found in Europe. 



Pathogenic properties. Pathogenic for hogs ; occurs in the lungs, where it 

 produces nodular masses. 



Oidium lithogenes, (Sanfelice.) Pammel. Blastomycosis 



The fungus occurs in the cancerous-like growth of the lymphatics; is 

 frequently surrounded by lime, on agar and gelatin forms white colonies; in 

 stick culture the growth is needle-like; sugar is changed into alcohol and 

 carbon dioxid. Fungus consists of spherical bodies. 



Distribution. In Europe. 



Pathogenic properties. Pathogenic for guinea pigs, white rats, sheep, and 

 cattle, producing nodular enlargements, frequently surrounded by a calcareous 

 capsule. 



W. W. Hamburger, in a recent number of the Journal of Infectious Dis- 

 eases, refers to a morphological and biological study of blastomycosis as follows : 



1. The strains of organisms appear nearly identical, so far as growth in test-tubes goes. 

 A few minor differences are summed up below. 



2. The organisms grow vigorously on the usual laboratory media, with perhaps a 

 slightly more abundant growth on faintly acid glucose-agar. 



3. Temperature! is perhaps the most important factor in varying the gross and micro- 

 scopic morphology; room temperature favors production of mycelia and aerial hyphae; in- 

 cubator temperature inhibits production o£ hyphae and favors coherent, waxy, yeastlike 

 colonies (budding forms) . 



4. Those cultures which produce yeastlike growths at incubator temperature develop 

 hyphae within 24 hours when withdrawn and placed at room temperature. Likewise the 

 majority of yeast-like colonies will finally (in 17 to 30 days) show evidence of beginning 

 hypha formation even if kept at 37 degrees C. 



5. Glucose-agar stabs, and broth form the most serviceable culture media if a limited 

 variety is at hand. Duplicates should always be made to control differences in morphology 

 at room and incubator temperature. 



1. Four strains of organisms isolated from four cases of generalized blastomycosis 

 appear identical. 



2. Pronounced variations in the gross and microscopic morphology of the organisms are 

 produced by variations in temperature. As a routine for purposes of study cultures should 

 be grown at both room and incubator temperatures. 



Distribution. Found both in Europe and North America. 

 Pathogenic properties. Dr. Harris gives the following : 



Towards the lower animals pathogenic properties vary very much with the culture, 

 recently isolated cultures as a rule proving more virulent than older ones. Mice, guinea 

 pigs, and dogs are most susceptible, succumbing often to subcutaneous and intraperitoneal inocu- 

 lations, whilst the white rat, rabbit, sheep, and horse are more refractory; in all, the lesions 

 may be localized in the form of abscesses, or general infection may ensue where subcutaneous 

 inoculation is practised. 



Dr. E. R. IyC Count and J. Myers discuss the case of systemic blastomycosis 

 of a Polish laborer. 



The first noticeable departure consisted in a feeling of discomfort involving the chest 

 on the right side extending through from front to back, later cutaneous lesions appeared. 



