SIGNIFICANCE OF SOIL SALINITY ON THE ECOLOGY OF COCCIDIOIDES IMMITIS

Elconin, Ann F. (University of Southern California, Los Angeles), Roger O. Egeberg, and Margaret C. Egeberg. Significance of soil salinity on the ecology of Coccidioides immitis. J. Bacteriol. 87:500-503. 1964.-An 8-year study of the soil in a small parcel of land where coccidioidomycosis is endemic was conducted. Over 5,000 samples collected from the surface of the soil at monthly intervals were tested for the presence of Coccidioides immitis. These samples were also analyzed to determine their major chemical composition. During the first 3 years, C. immitis was recovered in profusion from the spring samples, but during the next 4 years the fungus virtually disappeared from this endemic area. C. immitis reappeared in the spring of the final year of this study. There had been no significant deviation in the climatic conditions, flora, or fauna of the region. Chemical analysis of soils showed a marked elevation of the soluble salts (principally Na, Ca, SO(4), and Cl) during those years when C. immitis was recovered. The soluble salts, expressed in terms of the saturation extract conductivity, ranged from 11 to 27 in those spring seasons when C. immitis was recovered, and from 3.5 to 8.8 when it was not found. This degree of correlation indicates that the high level of surface salinity encouraged the growth of C. immitis, and could be a factor in accounting for the spotty distribution of this fungus within endemic areas.

ABUNDANT MICROORGANISM IN SOIL

The presence in soil of large numbers of a catalase-negative, microaerophilic, coccoid microorganism was demonstrated. Use of media of high nutrient value, without incorporation of inhibitors, and growth in the absence of antagonistic microorganisms were utilized to isolate this organism from soil dilutions greater than those providing growth by other means. The organism described does not grow on soil extract agars and is missed by conventional counting techniques for soil organisms. On the basis of morphological and growth characteristics, this organism appears to have at least some taxonomic relationships to the families Actinomycetaceae and Mycobacteriaceae. It is proposed that this organism makes up much of the coccoid microflora of soil as observed by light and ultraviolet fluorescence microscopy.

SIALADENITIS AND MAJOR SALIVARY GLAND TUMORS IN CHILDREN: EXPERIENCE AT LOS ANGELES CHILDRENS HOSPITAL AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Except for mumps, the benign lesions most frequently seen in the salivary glands of a child are parotitis, hemangioendotheliomas and mixed tumors. Carcinoma and sarcoma are uncommon. Rapid growth and pain are features of malignant change. Chronic parotitis usually subsides under conservative treatment. If operation is necessary, total parotidectomy is advisable. Scout x-ray films and sialangiographic examination are useful in differentiating an inflammatory lesion from a neoplastic growth.The treatment of choice for a non-inflammatory tumor is surgical excision, for most parotid tumors are radioresistant. Small masses should be completely excised for pathological evaluation. Since operation entails risk of damage to the seventh nerve, incisional biopsy may occasionally be indicated in the case of a large diffuse lesion for it is very likely to be benign and operation unnecessary. The risks of seventh nerve damage are magnified in a child as the anatomic structures are smaller and the nerve lies in a more superficial position.

IMMUNIZATION AGAINST VIRAL DISEASES

Means are now at hand, if properly employed, to virtually eliminate clinical poliomyelitis and measles from this country. If such control is to be accomplished, more effective means are required to reach virtually all of the four million infants born each year in this country. Influenza can be suppressed, and improvements in influenza vaccine have been achieved in recent years. It seems likely at this time that at least several of the more important viral diseases can be controlled by utilizing antigens based on the biologic characteristics of the agent, and directed toward the reservoir of infection and the conditions favoring transmission of the infection. The theoretical problem of the effects in man of viruses that are oncogenic in rodents and are derived from various tissue culture systems deserves serious attention. However, this consideration, that of antigenic potency, and other problems reviewed should not be allowed to subvert efforts to solve the real problems that face us, the disability and death resulting from these common infections.