Evans' syndrome associated with gastric plasmacytoma: case report and a review of the literature

We report a case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (Evans' syndrome) associated with gastric plasmacytoma. Recognition of this rare entity is important because surgery and chemotherapy together may achieve a cure. Possible mechanisms causing the hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia are discussed.

The role of microfilaments and microtubules in apical growth and dimorphism of Candida albicans

Cytoskeleton inhibitors were used to study morphogenesis in the pathogenic and dimorphic fungus Candida albicans. Nocodazole is a specific microtubule inhibitor and chloropropham (CIPC), at high concentrations, is an inhibitor of microtubules and microfilaments. Distribution of microtubules and microfilaments was studied by immunofluorescence techniques using anti-tubulin antibody with FITC-conjugated secondary antibody, and by staining with Rh-phalloidin. Nocodazole did not arrest apical cell elongation at a concentration (20 micrograms ml-1) that inhibited nuclear division and migration. Cytoplasmic and nuclear microtubules disappeared within 30 min in filamentous cells under these conditions. However, the Rh-phalloidin-stained actin granules which were localized in the tips of filamentous cells, and the microfilaments, were arranged normally at this concentration of nocodazole. Growth, and normal distribution of microtubules and microfilaments, were inhibited by a high concentration (200 micrograms ml-1) of CIPC. At a concentration (100 micrograms ml-1) of CIPC that permitted nuclear division, apical cell elongation was arrested, and filamentous growth was converted into yeast growth. At this concentration of CIPC, microtubules were distributed normally in filamentous cells. Long microfilaments were not observed, and actin granules did not localize in the tips of filamentous cells, but were distributed throughout the cytoplasmic cortex. Our results show that cytoplasmic microtubules are not essential for the elongation of filamentous cell tips but that microfilaments are apparently essential for this process.

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Exophiala jeanselmei and Exophiala dermatitidis

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis with Hae III, Hind III and Msp I was performed in 45 Exophiala jeanselmei strains (30 Phialophora jeanselmei and 154 Phialophora gougerotii strains) and 31 Exophiala dermatitidis strains. The results were as follows, 1) P. jeanselmei and P. gougerotii are identical, 2) E. jeanselmei is classified into 18 types based on restriction profiles, 3) two strains of E. jeanselmei CBS 577.76 and CBS 578.76 are identified as E. dermatitidis, 4) E. dermatitidis has no intraspecific variation and is definitely distinct from E. jeanselmei, 5) E. jeanselmei is suggested to be a complex organism because of extensive mtDNA polymorphism.

Comparative sequential changes in serum and biliary levels of bile acid components after a single dose of D-galactosamine or partial hepatectomy in the rat

In order to characterize changes in bile acid profile during liver cell damage and regeneration, levels of bile acids in serum and bile were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in F344 rats treated with a single dose of D-galactosamine (galactosamine, 300 mg/kg, i.p.) or subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH). In the serum, galactosamine caused elevation of conjugated bile acids such as taurocholic acid (TCA) and tauro-beta-muricholic acid (T beta MCA) at the 24 and 48-h time points, whereas unconjugated bile acids including cholic acid (CA) at 24 h and hyodeoxycholic acid (HDCA) at 48 h were increased after PH. In the bile, elevation of TCA showed most remarkable elevation at the 24-h time point in the galactosamine-treated group. All components of biliary bile acids showed rapid decreases from 24 to 48 h. The results demonstrated that while liver tissue damaged by galactosamine is able to conjugate bile acids it allows leakage into the blood stream. In contrast, the results for rats subjected to PH indicated that liver cells during DNA synthesis are not capable of conjugating all free bile acids with taurine although a similar leakage occurs. It is concluded that obvious elevation of serum TCA or CA and biliary T beta MCA could be a useful indicator of hepatocellular proliferation.

A case of the pathogenesis of choledochocele in relation to dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi

A 47-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Seventeen years previously, she had undergone cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed a cystic dilatation of the terminal portion of the common bile duct (CBD) protruding into the duodenal lumen and delaying the drainage of contrast medium. In this patient the CBD and the pancreatic duct appeared to be unimportant in the formation of the cyst. Repeated changes in the radius of the cyst suggested dysfunction of the ampullary component of the sphincter of Oddi, with maintenance of normal function of the common duct component. The pathogenesis of the choledochocele in this patient is discussed in relation to dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi. In addition, 2 criteria for the diagnosis of choledochocele by ERCP are proposed: [1] cystic dilatation of the terminal portion of the CBD protruding into the duodenal lumen, and [2] absence of the narrow segment of the CBD.

NB-355: a novel prodrug for L-DOPA with reduced risk for peak-dose dyskinesias in MPTP-treated squirrel monkeys

Prodrugs may be used to improve the absorption and bioavailability of certain active compounds. We have examined the ability of a novel catechol monoester of L-DOPA, NB-355 [L-3-(3-hydroxy-4-pivaloxyloyphenyl)alanine], to stimulate locomotor activity and induce dyskinesias in MPTP-treated primates. In the presence of carbidopa, a dose-dependent increase in locomotor activity over 4 1/2 h was observed following administration of L-DOPA (10, 20 or 40 mg/kg p.o.) or NB-355 (20, 40 or 80 mg/kg p.o. dopa equivalent). The dose-response curve for NB-355 was shifted to the right such that approximately twice the dopa equivalent dose of NB-355 was required to stimulate locomotor activity to the same level observed for L-DOPA. At doses matched for total locomotor stimulation over the 4 1/2-h period (20 mg/kg L-DOPA and 40 mg/kg NB-355), there was a more gradual rise and increase in the duration of motor stimulation by approximately 40% using NB-355. At these doses, drug-induced dyskinesias were less severe following treatment with NB-355 than with L-DOPA. Our findings suggest that NB-355 may be a useful therapeutic agent for increasing the duration of action of L-DOPA and reducing the severity of peak-dose dyskinesia.

Chlamydospore formation by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis mycelial form

To investigate the role of some adverse environmental conditions in chlamydospore formation by the mycelial form of P. brasiliensis, we cultured four P. brasiliensis isolates (18, Bt4, 1183, Pb9) at 25 degrees C within solid agar medium either rich or poor in nutrients. Isolates 18 and 1183 were also cultured under anaerobiosis in a nitrogen atmosphere. Isolate 18 produced great number of terminal and intercalary chlamydospore after 7-10 days of culture in a medium poor in nutrients (2% agar with 0.1% dextrose and polypepton). The three other isolates also produced chlamydospores under the same conditions, but in lower numbers. Chlamydospore production by isolate 18 was abolished when the fungus was cultured in two agar media rich in nutrients (brain heart infusion and potato dextrose agar). Anaerobic incubation of isolate 18 under an atmosphere of N2 showed small mycelial outgrowth with numerous chlamydospores. At the electron microscopical level, the chlamydospores showed one or various nuclei and numerous mitochondria, indicating great potential for further development. Accordingly, chlamydospores produced multiple budding after only 24 h incubation at 35 degrees C. The results demonstrate that under adverse environmental conditions P. brasiliensis mycelial form produces chlamydospores within a short period of time.

[Effect of antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs on gastrointestinal infections and dissemination by C. albicans in mice inoculated orally with C. albicans]

The authors studied the effect of antibiotics, hydrocortisone and anti-cancer drugs on gastrointestinal infections and dissemination by C. albicans in mice inoculated orally with C. albicans. The mice were given orally, vancomycin, amikacin and polymyxin B, and they also were injected with ampicillin and gentamicin. Hydrocortisone, cyclophosphamide (CPA) which causes leukopenia and neutropenia, and methotrexate (MTX) which injures the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract were injected to the mice. In the mice treated with antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs, and inoculated orally with C. albicans, the colony forming units of the feces conspicuously increased. Gastrointestinal candidiasis was frequently observed, particularly at the cardia and the cardio-antrum line of the stomach of these mice. In addition to these sites, gastrointestinal candidiasis was observed at the antrum and the small intestine of the mice injected with MTX. C. albicans was frequently recovered from the livers and lungs of the mice treated with antibiotics and MTX + CPA which cause leukopenia, neutropenia and the damage of mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. It is suggested that the threshold gut population of C. albicans is a determinant for gastrointestinal candidiasis, and that leukopenia, neutropenia and the damage of mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract are important factors for dissemination by C. albicans from the primary gastrointestinal lesions.

Studies on detection of Candida antigen in the sera of mice inoculated orally with Candida albicans

The authors succeeded in establishing a murine model of systemic candidiasis being disseminated from the primary gastrointestinal lesions caused by oral inoculation of Candida albicans. Using this model, an attempt was made for detecting the Candida antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using avidin-biotin (AB-ELISA) from the serum of infected mice. Gastrointestinal candidiasis was formed in all of the 20 mice treated with the drugs (antibiotics, antineoplastic agents, hydrocortisone, etc.) and inoculated orally with C. albicans. Fourteen of these mice suffered from submucosal candidiasis, and C. albicans was cultured from the visceral organs in 12 of them. The assay by AB-ELISA was able to detect 1.0 ng/ml Candida mannan in the mouse serum. The Candida antigen was detected in the sera of 11 of the 14 mice with submucosal candidiasis. However, the antigen could not be detected in the sera of the 6 mice with intramucosal candidiasis. The assay by AB-ELISA is more sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of systemic candidiasis than other serological assays.

Application of flow cytometry to differentiating Exophiala dermatitidis, E. moniliae and E. jeanselmei from each other

We applied a flow cytometry apparatus (FCM) to differentiating Exophiala dermatitidis, E. moniliae and E. jeanselmei from each other. The wavelength of the argon laser emitted from the FCM was 488 nm and the aperture of nozzle from which the stream of fluid containing single cells was blown out was 100 micron. By irradiating the stream with laser by either the forward light scatter (FLS) or by the perpendicular light scatter (PLS), we were able to get two pieces of informations. Histograms displayed by the FLS indicate the cell size, while dot displays by the PLS reflect the cell structure. As a result, E. dermatitidis was clearly differentiated from either E. moniliae or E. jeanselmei by their histograms by FLS. In addition, dot displays by the PLS differentiated E. moniliae from E. jeanselmei. In conclusion, flow cytometry is available for differentiating E. dermatitidis, E. moniliae and E. jeanselmei from each other.

Effect of ursodeoxycholate on the biliary excretion of cefotiam and sulbenicillin in patients with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

The effects of ursodeoxycholate administration on the biliary excretion of the antibiotics cefotiam and sulbenicillin were studied in five patients with stable hepatic function receiving percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage for obstructive jaundice. Cefotiam (I g) and sulbenicillin (2 g) were administered intravenously before and after ursodeoxycholate administration, and the maximum concentrations of the antibiotics in the bile and total amounts excreted in the bile during the 4 h after administration were determined. After ursodeoxycholate administration, both the maximum concentration of cefotiam in the bile and the amount excreted increased significantly. Ursodeoxycholate also increased the peak concentration and total excretion of sulbenicillin. For both cefotiam and sulbenicillin, the amount of antibiotic excreted in the bile during the 4 h after administration showed a significant correlation with the amount of bile acids excreted in the bile. This strongly suggests a common mechanism for the biliary excretion of these antibiotics and bile acids. Ursodeoxycholate administration is a benign way to increase both the concentration and the total amount of antibiotic excreted in the bile. Therefore, it may be useful in the treatment of serious biliary tract infections, especially in patients receiving biliary drainage.

Fungi in bathwater and sludge of bathroom drainpipes. 1. Frequent isolation of Exophiala species

Samples of bathwater from 14 homes and 22 public bathhouses and sludge in drainpipes from 19 household bathrooms were plated out onto potato dextrose agar supplemented with chloramphenicol. Several media were used to study colony morphology of the isolates and the thermotolerance and alkaline tolerance of each isolate were examined. Eleven sludge samples produced 12 isolates of Exophiala jeanselmei, 2 of E. dermatitidis and 1 of E. moniliae. Five household bathwater samples produced 2 isolates of E. jeanselmei, 4 of E. dermatitidis and 1 of E. alcalophila. One isolate of E. jeanselmei, 2 of E. dermatitidis, 3 of E. moniliae and 2 of unidentified Exophiala species were recovered from 6 samples of the bathwater dissolving 'Chinese medicine' in the bathtubs of public bathhouses. One isolate of E. jeanselmei was recovered from the 15 samples of bathwater from public bathhouses. Bathwater and sludge in bathroom drainpipes may be an important habitat of Exophiala species.

Increased resistance of splenectomized mice to Sporothrix schenckii infection

The susceptibility of splenectomized mice to Sporothrix schenckii was studied, and the role of the spleen in the host defense is discussed. S. schenckii Sp-1 and ddy male mice were used. The mice were divided into 3 groups consisting of splenectomized, sham-operated and intact mice. Each mouse was inoculated intravenously with 2 X 10(6) yeast cells 7 days after operation and the mice were sacrified at adequate intervals for 30 days. Then histological sections stained with H&E or by PAS were prepared from various visceral organs. Using the liver sections the number of yeast cells in a 40 mm2 was counted. Furthermore, the colony forming unit in 100 mg of the liver tissue was compared to each other. In the sham-operated and intact mice many purulent lesions appeared on the 5th day. On the 8th day mononuclear cells accumulated at the foci, and on the 10th day most of the foci became granulomatous. The number of yeast cells in granulomatous lesions reached a peak on the 10th day and thereafter decreased abruptly. On the other hand, in the splenectomized mice approximately half of foci became granulomatous on the 5th day, and the number of yeast cells in the foci began to decrease after the 5th day. There were definite differences in the colony forming unit between the splenectomized and sham-operated or intact mice sacrificed 9 days after inoculation. The colony forming unit of the former is 9.3 X 10(5) on the average, while that of the latter two is 5.6 X 10(6) and 5.1 X 10(6) on the average, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pleomorphism and conidiogenesis in Rhinocladiella atrovirens isolated from beetle galleries

Three pleomorphic strains of Rhinocladiella atrovirens, a fungus identified as the normally blastic-sympodial anamorphic species, were examined. When freshly isolated from beetle galleries, an Exophiala synanamorph was dominant in cultures, but with repeated transfers it tended to become progressively less prominent, and a Rhinocladiella morph took over. The relative dominance was also influenced by culture media. Various intermediate or reduced forms of these two major synanamorphs appeared in culture. Apparently, interconversion of the Rhinocladiella-type and Exophiala-type proliferation in conidiogenous cells occurred. Transmission electron microscopy of the Exophiala morph revealed that its conidium development and secession differed from the typical enteroblastic-annellidic mode; annellationlike scars on generative pegs were very thin and fragile, and conidium secession was by the development of a separation line resembling a hilum in the nonlayered conidium-delimiting wall. The Phialophora morph reported previously was not encountered in the present study, but a morph resembling Chloridium occasionally occurred on Sabouraud dextrose agar.

Further studies on the phylogenesis of the genus Exophiala and Hortaea

The conidial ontogenesis of the pathogenic black yeasts is studied at an ultrastructural level and their phylogenesis is discussed. Five cultures of Exophiala dermatitidis, four of E. jeanselmei, one of E. moniliae, one of E. spinifera and six of H. werneckii were observed using a scanning electron microscope. The conidial ontogenesis of the Exophiala species is not pleomorphic but only annellidic. There are definite differences in morphology of annellated tips among the Exophiala species. The ontogenesis of Hortaea werneckii consists of a combination of sympodial and annellidic conidiogenesis. Its sympodial anamorph is unique and the annellidic anamorph is considered to be a homology of the sympodial one.

Pathogenicity of Exophiala jeanselmei for ddY mice

The pathogenicity of three cultures isolated as Phialophora jeanselmei was compared with that of three cultures of Phialophora gougerotii using ddY mice. One hundred and twenty mice were used. They were divided into 6 groups consisting of 20 each. Each culture was evaluated in 20 mice. Mice were inoculated intravenously with 0.2 ml of a 1% (wet weight/vol.) yeast-like cell suspension and sacrificed at adequate intervals until the 30th day. As results, 1) the virulence of the three cultures each of P. jeanselmei and P. gougerotii to ddY mice was mild. 2) These cultures were not neurotropic. 3) P. gougerotii survived longer in the mice than P. jeanselmei. 4) There were no major differences in histopathology of the lesions in the mice inoculated with the two taxa.

Conversion of Coccidioides immitis from a mycelial form to spherules using the 'agar-implantation method'

The morphological conversion of Coccidioides immitis in vivo was observed using the agar-implantation method. Short hyphae implanted into the peritoneal cavity of mice swelled gradually and many septa appeared in them after 48 hours. As the implantation period advanced, these arthroconidia swelled and then broke up into spherical cells at the 72nd hour. On the other hand, arthroconidia implanted into the peritoneal cavity of mice also swelled and became immature spherules within 72 hours. During the 96th hour a few of the spherules reached a stage of maturity. They were filled with numerous endospores. The agar-implantation method is therefore a useful for the demonstration of spherules of C. immitis.

Tissue responses against Cladosporium trichoides and its parasitic forms in congenitally athymic nude mice and their heterozygous littermates

The tissue responses against Cladosporium trichoides and its parasitic forms were studied using nude (nu/nu) mice and their heterozygous (nu/+) littermates of BALB/c background. 1.0, 0.1 and 0.01% cell suspensions were prepared from a culture broth which had been inoculated with the C. trichoides and cultured with reciprocal shaking at 27 degrees C for 7 days. Sixty nu/nu or 60 nu/+ mice were divided into three groups consisting of 20 each which was allotted to one of the three cell suspensions. Each mouse was inoculated intravenously with 0.1 ml of either the cell suspensions. Two mice from each of the six groups were sacrificed at adequate intervals until 30 days after inoculation and histopathologic sections stained with H & E or by PAS were prepared from their visceral organs. There were no characteristic findings in the nu/nu and nu/+ mice inoculated with the 0.01% cell suspension. When inoculated with the 1.0% cell suspension, the brain was the favorite target organ in both groups of mice and the kidney was the second. When inoculated with the 0.1% cell suspension, brain lesions were observed only in the nu/nu mice. The susceptibility of the nu/nu mice was higher than that of the nu/+ mice. The parasitic forms in the brain of the nu/nu and nu/+ mice were slender septate true hyphae with or without polymorphonuclear leucocyte infiltrate, while in the liver, spleen and lung of both groups of mice the parasitic forms were short thick hyphae, moniliform hyphae, chlamydospores or round cells (sclerotic cells). Many giant cells containing fungal elements appeared in the liver of the nu/nu mice.

Scanning electron microscope studies on the parasitic cycle of Coccidioides immitis

The process involved in the in vivo conversion of the arthroconidia of Coccidioides immitis into endosporulating spherules was studied with the aid of a scanning electron microscope. By the fifth and sixth day after inoculation of laboratory mice, complete conversion had occurred in their kidneys, lungs, and spleens. The progressive stages of cleavage that occurred in the enlarged arthroconidia were initiated by invagination at several points of the cytoplasmic membrane that covers the inner surface of the developing spherule's cytoplasm was divided into progressive smaller segments. These segments were aggregated in packets and enclosed in a membranous sac. At maturity the membrane dissolved, and the endospores were freed within the spherules. Finally, the spherule wall ruptured, and the endospores were released.

Phaeomycotic cyst. A case with a lesion containing a wooden splinter

A case of phaeomycotic cyst caused by Exophiala jeanselmei is presented. The patient was a 45-year-old woman and a carpenter's wife. The lesion that developed on her right thigh was removed surgically. Examination of the specimen disclosed a wooden splinter in the cavity of the excised cyst. It seemed likely that the causal agent had entered into the skin of the patient on the wooden splinter.

Studies on relationship between cysts and granulomas in murine cryptococcosis

The histopathology of murine cryptococcosis was observed until the 55th day and particular attention was paid to whether or not cysts, which had been formed in the brain, could change to granulomas. Cryptococcus neoformans RIB-12M was used in this experiment. As experimental animals, five-week-old male BALB/c mice, weighing 20-22 g, were used. An infective inoculum was prepared by adjusting the number of cryptococci to 10(6) or 5 X 10(6)/0.2 ml. Each mouse was inoculated intravenously with 0.2 ml of the cell suspension, and the colony forming unit of the brain and liver, and the histopathological findings in various visceral organs were investigated. 40 X 10(4) colonies grew from 100 mg of the brain tissue of the eighth day. Thereafter, the number increased gradually. It reached 500 X 10(4) on the 20th day. The colony forming unit from the liver reached a peak on the 12th day (250 X 10(4] and thereafter the number decreased gradually. Histopathologically, the brain and liver were severely affected with the fungus. In the brain cysts with cryptococci continued to increase until the end of the experiment. On the other hand, in the liver several purulent foci appeared on the second day. On the eighth day numerous mononuclear cells accumulated at the foci and their lesions changed to granulomatous ones with cryptococci. The number of granulomatous lesions reached a peak on the 16th day in the mice inoculated with 5 X 10(6) cryptococci, and thereafter showed a tendency to decrease gradually.

Granuloma formation and killing functions of granuloma in congenitally athymic nude mice infected with Blastomyces dermatitidis and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

We did this experiment to clarify the mechanism of granuloma formation and the killing functions of granuloma in nude mice against Blastomyces dermatitidis and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infections. B. dermatitidis A-295 and P. brasiliensis B-1183 were the cultures used. Congenitally athymic nude (nu/nu) mice and their heterozygous (nu/+) littermates of BALB/c background were the test animals. From culture A-295, 0.1% and 1% cell suspensions (wet weight) were prepared and from culture B-1183 0.2% and 2% cells suspensions were prepared. Ten nu/+ and 10 nu/nu mice were allotted to each of four cell suspensions. For experimental blastomycosis each mouse was inoculated intravenously with 0.2 ml of the cell suspension of A-295 and for experimental paracoccidioidomycosis, with 0.15 ml of the cell suspension of B-1183. Two mice from each of the four groups were killed at 5, 8, 12, 18 and 25 days after inoculation, and histopathologic sections, stained with H&E or by PAS, were prepared from various internal organs. In the nu/nu mice inoculated with B. dermatitidis A-295 granuloma was formed in the brain tissue after the 12th day. However, mononuclear cells, which formed the granuloma, did not kill the fungal cells, and the fungal cells continued to multiply in the granuloma. On the other hand, in the heart, kidney and fat tissue, their histopathological findings after the 18th day were clumps of fungal cells with slight cell reactions. In these organs the exertion of cell-mediated immunity was necessary for granuloma formation against the fungal infection. In the nu/nu mice infected with P. brasiliensis B-1183, granuloma appeared in the brain and kidney after the 18th day and fungal cells continued to multiply within the granuloma as well as in those inoculated with culture A-295. These results show that the exertion of cell-mediated immunity plays an important role in the mouse's defense mechanisms against these fungal infections. We assume that the defense mechanisms of immunocompetent mice against B. dermatitidis or P. brasiliensis infection consist chiefly of two steps: in the first step phagocytosis by PMNs occurs and in the second step cell-mediated immunity enters into play.

A case of generalized granuloma trichophyticum

A 59-year-old man visited our hospital. The patient had suffered from generalized tinea superficialis for thirty years, had been treated with several topical antifungal preparations and was administered griseofulvin at another hospital. Clinical manifestations were as follows: There were large pigmentations on the chest, abdomen, and lower extremities. He had several irregular shaped ulcers on the back, left forearm, and right axilla, and glossy granular lesions on the dorsum of the left foot. Generalized eruptions consisting of indurative pustules, red papules, scars, atrophies and depigmentations were also visible. The biopsy specimens taken from the ulcers, the indurative pustules and granular lesions of the dorsum of the left foot were cultured and Trichophyton rubrum was isolated. Laboratory studies showed slight eosinophilia, Mantoux reaction 56 X 40 mm, Trichophytin reaction 5 X 5 mm, IgE 4000 IU/dl. Histological findings were as follows: Fungal elements were observed in the horny layer, in the spindle cell layer, and in the dermis. Histologic features were both abscesses and granulomas with giant cells. According to the pathologic features of the lesions, the parasitic forms of the fungus changed. Abscesses and granulation tissues containing histiocytes and many multinucleated giant cells were observed in the dermis. Various sizes of arthrospores and various shapes of hyphae were stained by PAS. Most of these fungal elements dissolved in the abscesses and granulomas. However, a few survived.

Studies on the phylogenesis of pathogenic 'black yeasts'

This paper deals mainly with the conidium ontogenesis and phylogenesis of black yeasts such as E. jeanselmei, E. gougerotii, E. dermatitidis and E. spinifera. The conidium ontogenesis of E. jeanselmei, E. gougerotii and E. dermatitidis was almost the same. One to five annellated tips were observed through a scanning microscope at the apices of conidiogenous cells, which were bottle- or jar-shaped. Annellations on the tips looked like fringes and the conidiogenous cells of these three species were annellides. Annellated projections occurred on hyphae and annelloconidia were also produced from them. Occasionally, secondary annellides occurred from primary ones. They looked like moniliform hyphae. Daughter conidia sometimes budded directly from mother cells. The shapes and sizes of the conidia of these species were very similar to each other. The conidium ontogenesis of E. spinifera was annellidic as well. However, a single annellated tip usually occurred on an annellide. The annellated tips of the fungus were long and more than 20 annellations were observed on their walls. The conidiogenesis of the four species of Exophiala is only annellidic. There were no differences in the biological examinations except KNO3 assimilation among these four species. The growth of E. jeanselmei and E. gougerotii was poor at 37 degrees C. The GC contents of E. jeanselmei 1171, E. gougerotii B-1800, E. dermatitidis MM-7 and E. spinifera DU-3342 were 54.6, 54.6, 56.6 and 59.7%, respectively.

Evaluation of skin test for chromoblastomycosis using antigens prepared from culture filtrates of Fonsecaea pedrosoi, Phialophora verrucosa, Wangiella dermatitidis and Exophiala jeanselmei

Antigenic substances were prepared from culture filtrates of Fonsecaea pedrosoi, Phialophora verrucosa, Wangiella dermatitidis and Exophiala jeanselmei. These antigenic substances were evaluated for detecting cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity in rats experimentally-infected with F. pedrosoi, P. verrucosa. W. dermatitidis, E. jeanselmei, Cladosporium carrionii and Fonsecaea compactum and in patients with chromoblastomycosis caused by F. pedrosoi. The F. pedrosoi antigen elicited positive reactions in all of the animals infected with F. pedrosoi and in 5 of 6 patients. The P. verrucosa, W. dermatitidis and E. jeanselmei antigens elicited positive reactions in all of the animals infected with the homologous species. These antigens displayed cross-reactivity in some of the animals and patients, whereas more than half of them exhibited positive reactions only to the antigens prepared from the homologous species. These results suggest that a delayed-type skin test using the antigens prepared by the authors may be useful not only for the diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis but also for the identification of species of the causative agent.