Cryptococci

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Jun, 31(6), 892 - 5
N-Nitrosamine formation by cultures of several microorganisms; Mills AL et al.; Of 38 pure cultures of microorganisms tested, only one, Pseudomonas stutzeri, was capable of forming dimethylnitrosamine from dimethylamine and nitrite during growth . Resting cells of P . stutzeri, Cryptococcus terreus, Escherichia coli, and Xanthomonas campestris formed dimethylnitrosamine, although no nitrosamine was found in growing cultures of the latter three organisms . No nitrosamine was produced by either growing cultures or resting-cell suspensions of Pseudomonas fragi or Proteus mirabilis . Boiled cells of P . stutzeri, but not those of C . terreus, E . coli, and X . campestris, formed dimethylnitrosamine, and this nitrosamine was also produced by extracts of E . coli cells at pH 5.0.

Mikrobiologiia, 1976 May-Jun, 45, 470 - 4
{Lipids and lipases of various yeasts}; Zviagintseva IS et al.; Optimal conditions for accumulation of lipids and glycogen, and for biosynthesis of lipase, were found to be similar in Candida, Rhodotorula, Lipomyces, and Cryptococcus yeast cultures . Fractional composition of their lipids and prevailing fatty acids were also similar . However, in cultures of the Candida genus, contrary to cultures of other genera, acids with the number of carbon atoms below 14 and above 20 have not been identified . Maxima in the dynamics of biosynthesis of lipids and lipase by Candida cultures did not coincide . Lipids isolated from yeast cells were hydrolysed by lipases of Candida, Rhodotorula, Lipomyces, and Cryptococcus at a higher rate than olive oil.

Int J Dermatol, 1976 Apr, 15(3), 219 - 24
Diffuse chronic granulomatous mucocutaneous candidiasis; Piamphongsant T et al.; A 3-year-old Thai boy with diffuse chronic granulomatous mucocutaneous candidiasis, recurrent bacterial skin infection and adrenal insufficiency is reported . Candida albicans was demonstrated in the dermal granuloma . He had a defect in cell-mediated immunity and was anemic . Although therapy with topical clotrimazole, oral iron, systemic antibiotic and low-dose of prednisone gave a dramatic result, he died of disseminated cryptococcosis.

Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd, 1976 Apr, 168(4), 577 - 83
{Intraocular cryptococcosis (author's transl)}; Ehrhorn J et al.; A 79-year-old female patient suffered from iridocyclitis of both eyes . In the fundus of the left eye equatorially a preretinal questionable granuloma (size 1/2 d.d.) was found; the first hint of a mycotic involvement . In the enucleated right bulbus, an abscess-like granulomatous focus with a diameter of 10 mm was found . Several round encapsulated cells having a diameter of 7 to 20 mu and looking like with Cryptococcus neoformans were microscopically demonstrable in the pus obtained from this abscess . Since the fungus could not be cultured, it may be assumed that a spontaneous healing occurred . The only known basic disease was a temporary uremia (330 mg0/0 urea and 7.0 mg0/0 creatinin) . The role of amphotericin B therapy in this patient is discussed.

Thorax, 1976 Apr, 31(2), 121 - 6
Pulmonary resection for localized lesions of cryptococcosis (torulosis): a review of eight cases; Smith FS et al.; Torulosis is an uncommon, but potentially lethal disease . The aim of this report is to indicate that resection of isolated pulmonary lesions due to torulosis is a safe procedure . Resection has proved useful in the definitive diagnosis and treatment of eight cases seen in this thoracic surgical unit.

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 1976 Apr, 39(4), 330 - 7
Cerebral cryptococcosis in Malaysia; Richardson PM et al.; Cryptococcal infection of the brain as encountered in a tropical country is reviewed . The meningitic form is not uncommon and there has been, in the last decade, an apparent, if not real, rise in incidence in Malaysia as in Singapore . Only exceptionally was there overt evidence of immunological deficiency . Hydrocephalus was present in about three-quarters of the patients with meningitis and shunts were employed readily . The presence of multiple small intracerebral cysts could be suspected clinically but treatment for this complication was ineffective . The antifungal agent used most frequently was 5-fluorocytosine . Resistance to this drug developed in about one patient in four . There is a need for further epidemiological studies and for a continuing search for new antifungal agents.

J Pathol, 1976 Apr, 118(4), 221 - 6
The surface morphology of the phagocytosis of micro-organisms by peritoneal macrophages; Walters MN et al.; Scanning electron-microscopic studies of phagocytosis of various micro organisms by murine peritoneal macrophages has been made . Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Brewer's yeast were easily ingested, whereas Cryptococcus neoformans was not . The development of intricate and tenuous filopodia preceded close-surface attachment, after which both thin and thicker lamellipodia invested the micro-organisms . Loss of the normal surface ridges characterised the replete cell . The technique of scanning electron microscopy is easily reproducible and adds a new parameter to the morphological appreciation of a fundamental biological phenomenon.

J Bacteriol, 1976 Apr, 126(1), 524 - 8
Ultrastructure of septal complex in Filobasidiella neoformans (Cryptococcus neoformans); Kwon-Chung KJ et al.; Electron microscopy of Filobasidiella neoformans, the perfect state of Cryptococcus neoformans, revealed basidiomycete doliporesepta between hyphal cells and also between clamp connections and adjacent cells . The pore-occluding material was a heterogeneous flattened plate with dark margins and a lighter center, as seen in the species of Filobasidium . Representative basidiomycete parenthesomes were lacking, and endoplasmic reticulum was seen in the dolipore region.

J Bacteriol, 1976 Mar, 125(3), 955 - 60
Production of extracellular ribonuclease by yeasts and yeastlike fungi, and its repression by orthophosphate in species of Cryptococcus and Tremella; Burt WR et al.; A strain of Cryptococcus laurentii and a haploid isolate of Tremella foliacea were shown to produce orthophosphate-repressible ribonuclease in liquid culture . Addition of as little as 1 mM K2HPO4, pH 7.0, completely repressed enzyme production by both fungi . The orthophosphate-repressible enzyme was not produced by other species of the two genera tested . These results, together with other findings, suggest a close phylogenetic relationship between Cryptococcus laurentii and Tremella foliacea . The ability of other yeasts and yeastlike fungi to hydrolyze ribonucleic acid in a solid test medium was assessed . Based on the limited number of organisms available for study, extracellular ribonuclease activity was found in species having close affinity to the Basidiomycetes and in yeasts classified in the ascomycetous genera, Endomycopsis, Hansenula, and Kluyveromyces . Other ascomycetous yeasts did not exhibit extracellular ribonuclease.

J S Afr Vet Assoc, 1976 Mar, 47(1), 49 - 52
Cryptococcosis in a dog; Coetzer JA et al.; A report is presented of a fatal systemic Cryptococcus noeformans infection involving the central nervous system of a dog and complicated by a concurrent infection of the brain and splene by an unidentified filamentous fungus resembling a Paecilomyces spp . The literature on cryptococcosis in domestic animals is briefly reviewed.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Mar, 3(3), 272 - 6
Effect of cetylpyridinium chloride on pathogenic fungi and Nocardia asteroides in sputum; Phillips BJ et al.; The effect of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) on pathogenic fungi and Nocardia asteroides was studied . Sputa seeded with each of 11 organisms (Aspergillus flavus; Aspergillus fumigatus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Candida albicans, Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Geotrichum candidum, Histoplasma capsulatum; Nocardia asteroides, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and Sporothrix schenckii) were treated with CPC and kept for 2, 5 and 9 days . The CPC reagent used (0.5% CPC and 0.5% sodium chloride) is one the Mycobacteriolgoy Branch at the Center for Disease Control added to sputa before shipping them to laboratories for recovery of mycobacteria . None of the organisms tested survived this treatment, and none was recovered on mycological or mycobacteriological media . Seeded sputa containing these organisms were also tested with a second CPC reagent (0.02% CPC and 0.5% sodium chloride) and held for 2, 5 and 9 days . A few colonies of A . flavus, A . fumigatus, and N . asteroides were recovered from these samples . Neither the morphology of the fungi nor their stainability by the fluorescent antibody method was affected by treatment with the reagent containing 0.5% CPC . However, the background material in smears from the 0.5% CPC-treated samples retained the conjugate, and this made weakly fluorescing organisms more difficult to detect . The 0.5% CPC treatment did not alter the morphology of N . asteroides or its ability to be stained with Kinyoun acid-fast stain.

J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Mar, 3(3), 239 - 45
Possibility of diagnosing meningitis by gas chromatography: cryptococcal meningitis; Schlossberg D et al.; Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from eight patients with cryptococcal meningitis, from ten patients with viral meningitis, and from four control patients without meningitis were analyzed by electron-capture gas-liquid chromatography (EC-GLC) . All cryptococcal specimens had similar EC-GLC profiles, and these differed from those of the controls . Viral EC-GLC patterns were different from those obtained with specimens from the patients with cryptococcal infection and from the controls . In addition, specimens from patients with various types of viral infections gave profiles that differed from each other . Two normal CSFs were inoculated with Cryptococcus neoformans; aliquots of these cultures showed an EC-GLC pattern very similar to that seen in CSF of patients with cryptococcal meningitis . The EC-GLC procedure is rapid, reproducible, and easy to perform and may hold promise as an additional aid in the diagnosis of cryptococcal infection.

Sabouraudia, 1976 Mar, 14(1), 17 - 32
The relative susceptibility of New Zealand black and CBA mice to infection with opportunistic fungal pathogens; Corbel MJ et al.; The susceptibility of ageing New Zealand Black (NZB) mice to infection with a number of opportunistic fungi and yeasts wsd compared with that of similarly aged mice of the CBA strain.The NZB mice showed a greater susceptibility to lethal infection with Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans than did those of the CBA strain . Both mouse strains showed similar susceptibility to lethal infection by Allescheria boydii, Absidia corymbifera, Mucor pusillus and Rhizopus oryzae . The clinical and histopathological characteristics of the infections produced by Allesch boydii, Asp . fumigatus, Abs . corymbifera, M . pusillus and R . oryzae were similar for both mouse strains . In contrast C . albicans and Crypto . neoformans produced much more severe infections in NZB mice than in CBA mice . These results suggested that T-lymphocyte dependent immune processes played a major role in resistance to C . albicans and Crypto . neoformans but not to Abs . corymbifera, Allesch . boydii, Asp . fumigatus, M . pusillus or R . oryzae.

Am Surg, 1976 Mar, 42(3), 153 - 9
Renal transplantation: an analysis of operative complications; Russo VR et al.; Review of 112 renal transplants in 95 patients with end-stage renal disease revealed a wound infection rate of 18 percent . The incidence of infection was unquestionably greater if drains were placed in the wound . An 8.8 per cent incidence of pulmonary infection was represented by lung abscess, bronchopneumonia and necrotizing pneumonitis . Three deaths were attributable to fungal infections-candida sepsis, cryptococcal sepsis, and Nocardia brain abscess . In 14 per cent of this series vascular anastomotic complications occurred, and were attributable to stenosis, thrombosis, or hemorrhage . The complications of ureterovesical anastomosis include urinary fistulas and ureteral obstruction.

Surgery, 1976 Mar, 79(3), 268 - 77
Cryptococcosis after renal transplantation: report of ten cases; Schroter GP et al.; Ten cases of cryptococcosis have been identified in a 13 year experience with more than 650 renal transplants . Eight patients had meningitis, one patient had a cerebral granuloma, and in one patient the infection appeared to be limited to the lungs . The central nervous system infection often masqueraded as brain tumor and was not suspected initially . The most useful diagnostic test was cerebrospinal fluid examination including India ink preparation . Various ther apeutic regimens with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine were effective in suppressing the infection . A combination of low doses of amphotericin B, not affecting kidney function, with 5-fluorocytosine for at least 3 months was associated with remission of disease in five patients who still are alive, including three patients without recurrence for longer than one year . Five deaths 3 weeks to 4 years after the beginning of treatment were not due to cryptococcosis; death resulted from vascular disease and septiciemia in three of the four patients with known causes of death . Central nervous system cryptococcosis, with the exception of the rare cerebral granuloma, is associated with little inflammation . If early death from increased intracranial pressure or cerebral edema is prevented, prolonged therapy with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine may be expected to control the infection, even in immunosuppressed patients.

Can J Microbiol, 1976 Feb, 22(2), 312 - 5
beta-Xylosidases in the yeast Cryptococcus albidus var . aerius; Notario V et al.; beta-xylosidase activity has been detected in cell-free extracts and in culture fluids when Cryptococcus albidus var . aerius was grown on glucose as the sole carbon source . The enzyme appears to be constitutive . Mild acid treatment of whole cells suggested that the total activity is located in the periplasmic space and some experiments indicated that it is partially associated with the cell walls . DEAE-Sephadex A50 chromatography has shown that there are two different forms of beta-xylosidase in the cell-free extracts, but only one form is present in the supernatants of culture.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1976 Feb, 24(2), 99 - 116
{Fungal and parasitic infections during immunosupressive treatment (author's transl)}; Drouhet E et al.; Deep visceral fungus infections, induced by occasional pathogens, have caused a new class of diseases, and occupy a more and more important place among the complications due to immunosuppressive agents . The experience of the Mycology Unit of the Pasteur Institute, where recent techniques of mycological and immunological diagnosis of these fungus infections are used, is reported here . 24 patients submitted to corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive treatments, including 6 renal transplants and one liver transplant, developed deep visceral infection with septicemia due to Candida, in a series of 106 cases of deep candidiasis due to massive antibiotic treatment diagnosed over the last few years . The mycological, immunological and therapeutic data obtained after treatment with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine are reported here . 8 cases of meningeal, pulmonary and bony and cutaneous cryptococcosis, occurring after corticotherapy (6 cases), radiotherapy (1 case) and renal transplantation (one case), are presented together with the favourable results (6 cures out of 8) obtained with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine, eight alone or in association . The authors also report 2 cases of aspergillosis, one in the lung, occurring in a case of renal transplantation who was given, at an early stage, amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine, thanks to rapid laboratory diagnosis, and another case in a heart transplant with pulmonary and cerebral localisations from which the patient died . The literature on these fungus infections, together with the mucormycoses, nocardioses and other fungus and antinomycosal complications are reported, together with parasitic infections the severity of which is emphasized in renal transplants, in particular P . carinii pneumonia, toxoplasmosis, strongyloidiasis and other parasitic diseases.

Can J Microbiol, 1976 Feb, 22(2), 261 - 8
Beta-glucanases in the yeast Cryptococcus albidus var . aerius . Production and separation of beta-glucanases in asynchronous cultures; Notario V et al.; beta-Glucanases were detected in cell-free extracts of the yeast Cryptococcus albidus var . aerius when grown on glucose as the sole carbon source . The production of beta-glucanases was followed in log-phase cells and stationary-phase cells; the maximal production of beta-(1 leads to 3) and beta-(1 leads to 6) glucanases takes place respectively in log-phase and stationary-phase cells . The results show that there are marked differences in the elution profiles on Sephadex G-50 of fractions containing beta-glucanase from cells grown for 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h . The possibility either of replacement changes in fractions containing beta-glucanase activity or of a different synthesis of each beta-glucanase during the growth of the yeast is discussed . The results suggest that all fractions containing beta-glucanases hydrolyze both beta-(1 leads to 3) and beta-(1 leads to 6) linkages . Evidence in support of the conclusion that a low molecular form of beta-glucanase has a molecular weight of 2100 +/- 100 is also shown.

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1976 Jan, 25(1), 129 - 31
Cryptococcal granuloma (toruloma) of the central nervous system in a patient with schistosomiasis; Adeloye A et al.; A case of cryptococcal granuloma of the brain and lung is described in a Nigerian woman who also had Schistosoma haematobium infection.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1976 Jan, 65(1), 83 - 92
The primary pulmonary lymph node complex of crytptococcosis; Baker RD; A cryptococcal primary pulmonary lymph node complex has been demonstrated at autopsy or after thoracotomy in 1% of the cases of cryptococcosis . Stepwise microscopic examination of hilar lymph nodes should reveal a more frequent incidence of this rare but now well-documented complex . Nine examples of the cryptococcal complex are extant, including three herewith reported from the files of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology . Four of these complexes developed in apparently normal persons and five in those hypersusceptible to infection because of neutropenia, diabetes, renal insufficiency, or corticosteroid therapy . The complexes in the normal persons were circumscribed granulomas and represented first-infection cryptococcosis similar to first-infection tuberculosis . There was a chronic course and a good prognosis with surgical resection . The complexes in the compromised hosts were predominantly acute diffuse pneumonias and large diffuse lesions of the lymph nodes, and were interpreted as first-infection cryptococcosis with massive spread facilitated by the compromised state . All these compromised patients died within a few weeks.

South Med J, 1976 Jan, 69(1), 33 - 6
Pulmonary cryptococcosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Whitley TH et al.; A patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia developed extensive pneumonia due to Cryptococcus neoformans . A presumptive diagnosis based on results of a Wright's stain of the sputum was made and appropriate antifungal therapy was started . C neoformans was cultured in COUNTS AS HIGH AS 8 X 10(5)/ml of sputum and was present morphologically for three weeks after sputum cultures had become negative . During the patient's first week of hospitalization, C neoformans was cultured from sputum and on cough plates but from no other source in his room . This suggests the possibility of transmitting the fungus to susceptible persons by droplets from patients having extensive pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Parasitenkd Infektionskr Hyg, 1976, 131(7), 610 - 31
{Relations within genus Cryptococcus (Sanfelice) Vuillemin}; Kochova-Kratochvilova A et al.; A collection of 49 Cryptococcus strains was studied by means of 62 tests, which emphasized morphological, physiological and biochemical properties . The experimental results were subjected to computer analysis using matching coefficient and taxanomic distance . Cluster analysis were carried out using average linkage method . Two clusters and one individual strain were formed, the first cluster represented the genus Cryptococcus, the second cluster and the individual strain did not belong to this genus . The cluster of the genus Cryptococcus was divided into five phenons: Laurentii Neoformans, Albidus, Terreus and Aerius . The belonging of strains to these phenons is discussed comparing the results with those of GC% content in DNA, of the production of coenzyme Q and many other . The quick identification phenons was suggested.

Poumon Coeur, 1976, 32(5), 247 - 50
{First cases of surgical pulmonary cryptococcosis in Vietnam}; Huu N et al.; Two cases of tumoral isolated pulmonary cryptococcosis are reported . The rarity of the facts explains that diagnosis is usually surgical, the inflammatory and necrotic pseudo-tumour swarming with yeast-like micro-organisms, easily recognizable by their thick gelatinous capsules.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1976, 21(2), 83 - 9
Cytological and chemical changes in cell walls of Rhodotorula gracilis . III . Characteristics and life cycle of the yeast; Kockova-Kratochvilova A et al.; The phenotype and genotype of six strains of the genus Rhodotorula Harrison and of one strain of the genus Cryptococcus Phaff et Fell, with anomalous thickening of cell walls were investigated . The present studies showed that the strains investigated represent different stages of the life cycles of the genus Rhodosporidium Banno . The anomalous thickening of the cell walls can be explained by extreme conditions resulting in the formation of surviving forms (teliospores, chlamydospores).

Arkh Patol, 1976, 38(8), 71 - 3
{Cryptococcosis of the central nervous system}; Dorokhov II et al.; A case of cryptococcosis of the brain in a male patient 47 years of age is described . Duration of the disease--about one year . Clincally it was accompanied by epileptic seizures with loss of consciousness . Diagnosis of cryptococcosis was made following the histological investigation of a part of the brain removed in connection with tumour . Morphologically, there was detected an area of necrosis and aggregation of yeast-like fungi with the typical of cryptococcus oval form and felatinous capsule showing intensive colouration when stained by Hochkiss' method . The pathogenic agent was detected in the spinal fluid of the patient and in the tissue culture.

Dermatologica, 1976, 152(1), 16 - 22
Immunization of mice with a mutant of Cryptococcus neoformans . Characterization of the mutant, actively acquired resistance to experimental cryptococcosis in mice; Reiss F et al.; In 69% of subdermally and 50% of subcutaneously immunized mice, immunity against Cryptococcus neoformans was obtained . The vaccine consisted of a gamma-irradiated mutant, which grew well at 5 degree C and at room temperature . Many subcultures and animal passages did not restore this mutant to the encapsulated, pathogenic wild type.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1976, 8(1), 61 - 4
Multiple lymphonodular cryptococcosis, cured by 5-fluorocytosine; Tolentino P et al.; A 5-year-old boy was admitted with an acute febrile illness and painful and enlarged cervical lymph nodes . A chest X-ray showed right tracheobronchial lymph nodes . A lymph node biopsy demonstrated a tuberculoid appearance, with epitheloid cells, giant cells, and also necrotic zones . Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated both in culture and after animal inoculation . While amphotericin B was not tolerated by the patient, the oral administration of 5-fluorocytosine resulted in a rapid recovery.

Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 1976 Jan, 151(1), 173 - 6
In vitro and in vivo activity of 2,4-diamino-6-(2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)acetamido) quinazoline against Cryptococcus neoformans; Hariri AR et al.; The minimum inhibitory concentration of quinazoline derivative was determined by the tube dilution method for Cryptococcus neoformans, strain 184 . The effect of this chemical agent on macromolecular metabolism indicated an inhibition of incorporations of labeled precursors into RNA and protein of C . neoformans . A mouse model infection with C . neoformans was established . Following this, the animals were given ip or oral doses of different concentrations of the experimental drug . Infected mice responded to ip administration of the drug in that the percentage of surviving mice increased progressively with increasing drug dosage . The curing dose 50 (CD50) was determined, based on the isolation of C . neoformans from organs of animals during or at the termination of the experiments.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1976, 42(1-2), 157 - 63
A colour reaction for the differentiation of ascomycetous and hemibasidiomycetous yeasts; Van Der Walt JP et al.; Seventy yeast strains, representative of twenty-six ascogenous genera, four saprobic hemibasidiomycetous genera and thirteen genera of the Cryptococcales were tested for their reaction with the stabilized aromatic diazonium compound, Diazonium Blue B salt . An aqueous, buffered solution of this compound gave a characteristic red colouration with the colonies of the hemibasidiomycetous species and those Cryptococcales characterized by the hemibasidiomycetous cell-wall type . The characteristic colour reaction was not observed with colonies of either the ascomycetous yeasts or those Cryptococcales characterized by the ascomycetous cell-wall type . The possibly taxonomic use of the colour reaction with Diazonium Blue B salt as an affinitive characteristic is discussed.

Arch Dermatol Res, 1975 Dec 31, 254(3), 233 - 8
{Defective polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in chronic granulomatous muco-cutaneous candidiasis (author's transl)}; Bork K et al.; Chronic granulomatous muco-cutaneous candidiasis is reported in a 12-year-old boy who died of pulmonal cryptococcosis . Chemotactic and phagocytic functions of the neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes were deficient while the cell mediated immunity was not disturbed and no decrease of immunoglobulins and complement factors--especially C3 and C5--was found in the serum . The possibility is considered that the disturbance of lymphocyte mediated immune response is the normal, but not only fundamental aetiological factor of chronic muco-cutaneous candidiasis.

Br Med J, 1975 Dec 20, 4(5998), 678 - 80
The immunological hazard of Cushing's syndrome; Britton S et al.; A 24-year-old woman was found to have cryptococcal meningitis and Cushing's syndrome due to an adrenal adenoma . Her meningitis was successfully arrested with fluorouracil . Treatment with metyrapone decreased her cortisol production and produced clinical remission of Cushing's syndrome . On admission her peripheral T lymphocytes were few and hyporeactive . When the overproduction of cortisol ceased the numbers of T lymphocytes and their reactivity returned to normal and she developed in-vitro lymphocyte responsiveness to the cryptococci.

Mikrobiologiia, 1975 Nov-Dec, 44(6), 1119 - 21
{Lecithinase activity of various yeast strains}; Zviagintseva IS et al.; The activity of lecithinase was studied among 50 yeast strains belonging to the genera Rhodotorula Harrison, Cryptococcus Kutz, and Lipomyces Lodder et Kreger van Rij . The maximum activity of lecithinase is typical of epiphyte yeast strains belonging to the genus Rhodotorula and is not manifested by species of the henus Lipomyces which inhabit soil . Strains of the genus Cryptococcus cannot be distinctly differentiated into soil and epiphyte cultures, and occupy an intermediate position by the activity of lecithinase.

Br J Ophthalmol, 1975 Nov, 59(11), 657 - 63
Neuro-ophthalmic sarcoidosis; Turner RG et al.; Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder in which ocular involvement occurs in about one-quarter and neurosarcoidosis in 7 per cent of patients . When the retina is involved, the reported incidence of central nervous system sarcoidosis is 37 per cent . The patient described had a transient papular eruption of the legs, bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, polyarthralgia with knee effusions, and bilateral facial and peripheral neuropathy . Ocular involvement was characterized by anterior uveitis (in the initial stages), vitreous flare, bilateral disc oedema, macular oedema, streak haemorrhages, peripheral periphlebitis, nerve fibre bundle defects, and candle-wax spots . Fluorescein angiography showed no fluorescence of the candle-wax spots nor of the adjacent vessels . However, there was hyperfluorescence of two retinal lesions . This patient had unilateral internal ophthalmoplegia, only three cases of which have been reported in the literature . Her health was restored by heavy, prolonged corticosteroid therapy . Her family history revealed that an uncle died of sarcoidosis complicated by cryptococcal meningitis . The literature on retinopathy in sarcoidosis is reviewed and the lesions noted in the posterior segment are listed.

Arch Otolaryngol, 1975 Nov, 101(11), 698 - 701
Cryptococcosis of the larynx; Reese MC et al.; An unusual case of cryptococcosis of the larynx initially developed as an acute upper airway obstruction that necessitated tracheostomy . Concomitant findings were tracheobronchial ulcerations and edema with severe mainstem bronchial constriction on the left side . Budding "yeast-like organisms" that were consistent with Cryptococcus neoformans appeared in tissue specimens . Epithelial changes that were consistent with pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia occurred in areas in the immediate vicinity of the organisms . Sputum and bronchial washing cultures grew nonmycelial, mucinous, encapsulated forms that were positive to staining with mucicarmine and Alcian blue . Treatment with amphotericin B resulted in resolution of the laryngeal obstruction, permitting decannulation . Follow-up direct laryngoscopy and biopsy three months after completion of therapy revealed only mild edema of the false vocal folds . No organisms were found in the tissue, and the pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplastic mucosal changes had resolved.

Ann Surg, 1975 Nov, 182(5), 617 - 26
The incidence and management of pulmonary mycosis in renal allograft patients; Mills SA et al.; A retrospective analysis of 193 renal transplant recipients yielded 15 patients who developed pulmonary mycosis posttransplantation and one case in which mycotic lung infection existed at the time of transplant surgery . Agent responsible for infection included Nocardia asteroides in 8 cases, Asperigillus flavus in 5 cases, Cryptococcus neoformans in 4 patients and Candida albicans in 2 cases . Two cases had mixed mycotic infections . Ten patients died, of which 7 had diagnosis established antemortem . Two cases had diagnosis established by thoracotomy and 1 case by transtracheal aspiration . Problems in establishing accurate diagnosis are discussed with emphasis placed on the need for more frequent use of transtracheal aspiration and thoracotomy for precise diagnosis.

Sabouraudia, 1975 Nov, 13(3), 303 - 8
Cryptococcus neoformans of saprophytic origin; Swinne-Desgain D; Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated on 276 occasions as follows: from pigeon faeces, 159 (45%) of 349 samples; pigeon crops, 39 (50%) of 80 crops; from drinking water, 37 (74%) of 50 samples; from the atmosphere, 3 strains in a contaminated loft . It was also recovered from 38 (19%) of 200 samples of canary faeces . It is possible that C . neoformans survives in the crop of pigeons and occasionally passes to the faeces where it multiplies . The factors influencing its presence are: the irregular cleaning of lofts, overcrowding and air-pollution from poor ventilation.

Aust Vet J, 1975 Oct, 51(10), 459 - 63
The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)! past, present and future; Dickens RK; The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) (from the Greek phascolarctos meaning leather pouch and bear, cinereus ashen grey in colour) is Australia's most admired native animal but very little scientific reference material is available on this unique animal . The demands of the fur trade during the latter half of the last century and up to the 1920's almost exterminated the koala and this tragic episode from the past is briefly recounted . Koalas are nocturnal and arboreal . Details of appearance, distribution, breeding, diet, water intake, volatile eucalypt oil detoxication and handling are briefly described, while information concerning intravenous injections, anaesthetic agents antibiotic therapy and fluid therapy are given . As an aid to veterinarians presented with koalas to examine, tables are presented for physiological, haematological and biochemical values . Pathological conditions found on post mortem examination are summarised, while disease conditions such as anaemia, keratoconjuctivitis, toxoplasmosis, cryptococcocis, reproductive disorders, miscellaneous conditions and internal and external parasites are mentioned . Finally, the future of the koala is discussed . Diminishing habitat, depletion of food supplies, bushfires, the threat of disease, coupled with a paucity of relevant scientific information, create an uncertain future for the koala . A plea is made to totally protect and expand the very few remaining known koala breeding areas especially in Victoria, and for veterinarians to become involved in conservation programs and wildlife research in order that the future of the koala in common with all other native species may be assured.

J Infect Dis, 1975 Oct, 132(4), 368 - 73
Therapy of cryptococcosis with a combination of flucytosine and amphotericin B; Utz JP et al.; In a prospective study from May 1971 to November 1973, 20 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcosis were treated for six weeks with a combination of amphotericin B (20 mg daily) intravenously and flucytosine (150 mg/kg daily) orally . Fifteen patients has culturally docummented Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis, and three died of infection early in therapy . Of the remaining 12 patients, eight were alive and well eight to 34 months after therapy, and four died of other causes . None of the surviving patients has relapsed . Hematologic complications developed in nine patients, three of whom had no underlying lymphoreticular disorder or therapy with known cytotoxic agents . Renal insufficiency of mild degree occurred in only six patients . A shorter period of hospitalization and reduction in toxicity of amphotericin B suggest that combined therapy is a safe and efficacious alternative to other regimens.

Int J Dermatol, 1975 Oct, 14(8), 606 - 9
Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in Egypt; Abdel-Fattah A et al.; Neither systemic nor primary cutaneous cryptococcosis has ever been reported in Egypt . The case of a 14-year-old girl with a solitary primary cutaneous cryptococcosis lesion is presented . A surgical specimen proved the diagnosis, although the lesion resembled a rapidly growing epithelioma . Follow-up for 4 months did not reveal evidence of systemic involvement.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1975 Oct, 78(4), 817 - 20
The distribution of pyrophosphatidic acid in nature; Itoh T et al.; The occurrence of a novel phospholipid, pyrophosphatidic acid, in the lipid extracts of yeasts (23 species), bacteria (E . coli), algae (chlorella), mammalia (human, rabbit, guinea pig, and mouse), insect (cockroach), fish (carp), mollusc (clam), and spermatophyta (spinach) was investigated . Pyrophosphatidic acid was found exclusively in the lipid extracts of several kinds of yeast species, but not in other normal living species (animals, plants, and microorganisms) so far investigated . All of the yeast species containing this lipid belong to the asporogenous yeasts (Cryptococcus neoformans CBS-132, Cryptococcus laurentii Z 6-5, Rhodotorula glutinis H 3-9-1, Rhodotorula rubra AY-2, Kloeckera apiculata KK-3, and Trichosporon cutaneum KC 4-3), and ballistosporogenous yeast (Sporobolomyces salmonicolor WF 174) . In contrast, no detectable amount of pyrophosphatidic acid was found in the cellular lipids of ascosporogenous yeasts.

Mikrobiologiia, 1975 Sep-Oct, 44(5), 813 - 9
{Fractional makeup of the lipids of some yeast species}; Pitriuk IA et al.; The fractional composition of lipids was studied in 32 yeast strains belonging to the genera of Rhodotorula Harrison, Lipomyces Lodder et Kreger van Rij and Cryptococcus Kutz . The effect of C/N ratio in the growth medium on the content of various lipid fractions was studied . Lipids of the most studied cultures were found to contain di- and triglycerides, waxes, free fatty acids, sterines, their esters, and phospholipids . The fraction of monoglycerides was also detected in Rhodotorula and three species of Cryptococcus, but not in Lipomyces and Cr . laurentii . If C/N ratio equals 10, the predominant lipid component in Lipomyces is triglycerides, and in Rhodoturula and Cryptococcus phospholipids . The fraction of triglycerides prevailed in all cultures at C/N ratio of 100 . The content of phospholipids decreased with an increase of C/N ratio in the medium from 10 to 100.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1975 Sep, 233(1), 106 - 22
Selective involvement of the brain in experimental murine cryptococcosis . II . Histopathological observations; Grosse G et al.; In the present communication the previously described cultural findings about the selective involvement of the central nervous system by C . neoformans, strain W 2/A 94, have been supplemented by the results of histopathological investigations . Attention has been paid to the organ specific tissue reaction during the course of infection, with special reference to the involvement of the brain . In agreement with former observations concerning the cryptococcoma in the muscle-tissue, the cryptococcal foci in the brain also showed the phenomenon of vascularisation . The results have been compared with those of the C . neoformans, strain W 71/A 117 which does not allow such a prolonged selective involvement of the central nervous system due to its high virulence for the white mice . These observations impressively demonstrate the significance of simultaneous microbiological and histopathological examinations for the detection of infections caused by such facultative pathogens.

J Clin Microbiol, 1975 Sep, 2(3), 261 - 5
Detection of fungi in clinical specimens by phase-contrast microscopy; Roberts GD; During 1973 and 1974, the following fungi were detected in clinical specimens by using phase-contrast microscopy: Blastomyces dermatitidis, 5; Coccidioides immitis, 3; Cryptococcus neoformans, 11; other yeasts 918; dermatophytes, 863; Mucor species, 1; and Aspergillus fumigatus, 16 . This technique allows rapid detection and, in many instances, immediate identification of fungi in clinical specimens.

Arch Intern Med, 1975 Sep, 135(9), 1163 - 72
Fungal infection following renal transplantation; Gallis HA et al.; Twenty-seven deep fungal infections developed in 22 of 171 patients following renal transplantation . These infections included cryptococcosis (ten), nocardiosis (seven), candidiasis (four), aspergillosis (two), phycomycosis (two), chromomycosis (one), and subcutaneous infection with Phialophora gougeroti (one).Twelve infections occurred in living-related and ten in cadaveric recipients . Nineteen of the 22 patients were male . Infections occurred from 0 to 61 months after transplantation . Complicating non-fungal infections were present concomitantly in 15 patients . Thirteen patients died, eight probably as a result of fungal infection . Appropriate diagnostic procedures yielded a diagnosis in 20 of 27 infections, and therapy was begun in 18 patients . Serologic, culture, and biopsy procedures useful in making rapid diagnoses are advocated in the hope of increasing survival.

Arch Intern Med, 1975 Sep, 135(9), 1155 - 7
Cryptococcal meningitis: diagnostic value of cryptococcal antigen in cerebrospinal fluid; Snow RM et al.; In three previously reported cases of cryptococcal meningitis, the only laboratory evidence for this diagnosis was the presence of cryptococcal antigen in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) . Three additional patients had chronic meningitis and repeatedly negative CSF cultures and had cryptococcal antigen demonstrated in the CSF . In our patients, the diagnosis was further supported by the complete recovery after amphotericin B therapy in two and the demonstration of Cryptococcus neoformans in the meninges at autopsy in the third . In certain patients with chronic meningitis, the detection of cryptococcal antigen in the CSF may be the only means of establishing a diagnosis during life . In such patients, if cryptococcal antigen is present in the CSF in a titer of larger than or equal to 1:8, antifungal therapy should be initiated, pending results of other diagnostic studies.

Arch Otolaryngol, 1975 Sep, 101(9), 577 - 83
Temporal bone findings in cryptococcal meningitis; Igarashi M et al.; A 19-year-old woman with cryptococcal meningitis died as a result of her disease, in spite of both intravenous and intraventricular administration of amphotericin B . Gross and microscopic examinations revealed multiple cysts containing Cryptococcus neoformans within the central nervous system . Studies of the temporal bones revealed both neural and end organ destruction with the presence of Cryptococcus when stained by Gomori methenamine silver nitrate method . We present the results of audiometric and vestibular examinations . The case history depicts a progressive neurological involvement by Cryptococcus.

Ann Med Interne (Paris), 1975 Aug-Sep, 126(8-9), 623 - 4
{Partial deficiency of cell-mediated immunity in a child with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis . Intercurrent meningeal and pulmonary cryptococcosis}; Gerbeaux J et al.; The authors report a new case of partial immune deficiency of cellular immunity, associated with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis in a 12 Years-old boy . The disease began very early during the first few weeks of life, with thrush in the mouth . This candidiasis then evolved intermittently and was still present . Numerous cutaneous, pulmonary and ear infections occured throughout this child's life . This morbid association led to a search for an immune deficiency . Humoral immunity was normal . Abnormalities of cellular immunity were as follows: apart from candidine skin anergy, there was a deficiency in the factor which inhibits leukocyte migration, secretion of a factor favouring this migration (MEF) . It was also noted the presence of the patient's serum, of a factor inhibiting lymphocyte transformation in the presence of candidine . In spite of treatment with intravenous route, amphotericin B, followed by transfer factor, the oral candidiasis persisted together with the skin anergy to candidine . On the other hand, the serum inhibitory factor disappeared . Pulmonary cryptococcosis probably favoured by corticosteroid treatment, developed on this background of immune deficiency; as usual it spread to the meninges . Treatment associating intraveinous amphotericin B and 5 fluorocytosine oral and later intravenous, total duration 6 months, grave a recovery maintained on a 8 months follow up.

J Infect Dis, 1975 Aug, 132(2), 133 - 41
Susceptibility of coccidioides immitis, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans to amphotericin B, flucytosine, and clotrimazole; Hoeprich PD et al.; Toxicity and failure of treatment with amphotericin B are stimuli for researchers to evaluate alternative antifungal antimicrobics . Also, data from susceptibility tests of Coccidioides immitis are sparse . With use of a defined, synthetic culture medium, C . immitis (25 strains) . Candida albicans (21 strains), and Cryptococcus neoformans (21 strains) were tested against flucytosine, clotrimazole, and amphotericin B . Molecule for molecule, the sequency of activity was: clotrimazole greater than amphotericin B greater than flucytosine (totally inactive) C . immitis; and clotrimazole greater than amphotericin B greater than flucytosine with C . albicans and C . neoformans . With four strains of C . immitis, the minimal inhibitory concentration (of amphotericin B) was the same when inocula of arthrospores were tested as when corresponding spherules/endospores were tested simultaneously and identically . The clinical outcome of coccidioidomycosis in 17 patients treated with amphotericin B correlated best with minimal inhibitory concentration after incubation of cultures for 48 hr; a favorable response was associated with minimal inhibitory concentrations of less than or equal 1.0 mug/ml . Because clinical isolates of fungi appear to vary in susceptibility, in vitro tests may have clinical utility.

Br Med J, 1975 Jul 12, 3(5975), 75 - 6
Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis; Martin RA et al.; A patient was admitted to hospital with an apparent psychiatric disturbance . When she became stuporous the cerebrospinal fluid was cultured but proved sterile . The latex test showed that serum was positive for cryptococcal antigens, and cryptococcal meningoencephalitis was diagnosed . Amphotericin B was given but when she developed a toxic reaction it was replaced by flucytosine . She responded well to flucytosine alone and no side effects appeared on continued treatment . Cryptococcal meningitis may present as a psychiatric disturbance, and serological tests are invaluable aids to diagnosis.

Mikrobiologiia, 1975 Jul-Aug, 44(4), 625 - 31
{Fatty acid makeup of the lipids in soil and epiphytic yeasts}; Zviagintseva IS et al.; The fatty acid composition of lipids was compared among yeast cultures belonging to the genera Rhodotorula, Lipomyces, and Cryptococcus . These lipids contain C10--C26 fatty acids, mainly with the even number of carbon atoms . Palmitic acid (C16 : 0) and oleic acid (C18 : 0) predominate . In the majority of the strains, the sum of unsaturated acids exceeds the sum of saturated acids . The content of unsaturated acids in the lipids of the epiphytic yeast Rhodotorula is higher than in the soil yeast Lipomyces . Besides C12--C18 acids, C22--C26 acids were identified by GLC at preset temperatures . Lignoceric acid (C24 : 0) was found for the first time in the cultures of Rhodotorula, Lipomyces, and Cryptococcus, and cerotinic acid (C16 : 0) was also detected in the Rhodotorula yeast . Fatty acids with a long chain are registered in the strains of Rhodotorula more often than in the strains of Lipomyces and Cryptococcus.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1975 Jul, 232(2-3), 355 - 64
Selective involvement of the brain in experimental murine cryptococcosis . I . Microbiological observations; Staib F et al.; During the course of infection in intraperitoneally infected white mice with a particular strain of Cryptococcus neoformans, it was possible to observe a time-limited and selective presence of the fungus in the brain . The presence of the fungus in the brain without causing clinical symptoms and the rare mortal exacerbation of the brain involvement offers possibilities for comparative studies of experimental and human cryptococcosis . On the basis of these strain-specific results new aspects of the virulence of C . neoformans and the epidemiology of cryptococcosis are discussed.

Sabouraudia, 1975 Jul, 13(2), 142 - 7
Amino acid synthetic media for fungal pathogens based on aminopeptidase specificities: Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermititidis, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Cryptococcus neoformans; Lee KL et al.; The development of simple and chemically defined liquid media for Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Crypto-occus neoformans according to their aminopeptidases profiles as amino acid requirement was described . When 1.5% purified agar was added, these media also supported excellent mycelial growth and sporulation of the deep mycoses . H . capsulatum was converted to and maintained in yeast phase when 0.1% L-cystine was added to the solid medium incubated at 37 degrees C.

Mycopathologia, 1975 Jun 14, 55(3), 153 - 7
{Cryptococcosis in Venezuela . Comments on a clinical case with unusual location}; Campins H et al.; A tumor like case of Cryptococcosis with a rare location in the abdomen of a young healthy woman is commented . It gave the opportunity to refer to the pathogeny of the disease, making in that way a brief review of the cases known in Venezuela and some not still published from which we got information . That review showed that generally doctors found more frequently organic lesions within the fields they are specially working for . It is obvious that mycosis must be considered in the diagnosis of nearly every patient in many countries and that laboratories must get appropriate equipment and personnel to help in that diagnosis.

Mycopathologia, 1975 Jun 14, 55(3), 175 - 8
Immunological studies of the anticryptococcal factor of normal human serum; Reiss F et al.; Preliminary studies have shown a very high inhibitory activity in the alpha2 and gamma zone of human serum towards the growth of Cryptococcus neoformans . These findings are now corroborated by single radial immunodiffusion tests, which showed the some loss of IgA and IgM globulins and of the other three globulin fractions (ceruloplasmin, alpha2 macroglobulin and alpha2 HS glycoprotein) which migrate in the alpha2 zone . The data was obtained by single radial immunodiffusion tests . The losses were not statistically significant however . No change in the immunoglobulin content of the sera kept for 6 days in contact with a heat-killed suspension of C . neoformans was noted . These findings suggest, that the inhibitory activity of the normal human serum on the in-vitro growth of C . neoformans is due to the above mentioned globulin fractions and not to a single specific factor.

Int J Clin Pharmacol Biopharm, 1975 Jun, 11(4), 267 - 76
Invasive fungal infection in the immunosuppressed host; Salit I et al.; Immunosuppression, whether arising as a consequence of disease (haematopoietic and lymphoreticular malignancies) or therapy (against hemograft rejection or malignancy results in a higher than normal incidence of invasive fungal infections such as candidiasis, aspergillosis, mucormycosis and cryptococcosis . Normal host defense mechanisms, both immunologic and non-immunologic, are not fully functional and may contribute to the pathogenesis of these diseases.Candida, normally a superficial colonizer, may invade the gastrointestinal, respiratory or urinary tracts . Aspergillus and mucor species may cause hemorrhagic or necrotising pneumonias and secondarily spread to the brain . Cryptococcus may infect the meninges in the appropriate host . Therapeutics for these diseases is limited . Amphotericin B may alter the course of any of the four diseases . Fluorocystosine has found some use in the treatment of candidiasis and cryptococcosis.

J Clin Microbiol, 1975 Jun, 1(6), 509 - 14
Pigment production by Cryptococcus neoformans from para- and ortho-Diphenols: effect of the nitrogen source; Chaskes S et al.; Cryptococcus neoformans produced pigments when p-diphenols were substrates in a glucose-amino acid-salts medium . The best substrates were 2.5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 2,5-dihydroxybenzenesulfonic acid . In contrast to the cellular pigment production from o-diphenols (hydroxyl groups in the 2,3- or 3,4-position of phenyl ring), the p-diphenols (1,4- or 2,5-positions for the hydroxyl groups) produced large amounts of soluble pigments that diffused into the medium . When an optimal source of nitrogen (glutamine, glycine, and asparagine) was used, 89% of the C . neoformans strains produced pigments from p-diphenols . In contrast, 0 to 67% of the strains produced pigments when a suboptimal nitrogen source (proline, ammonium sulfate, ornithine, and methionine) was used . When glutamine-glycine-asparagine was the nitrogen source, 100% of the C . neoformans strains produced pigments from o0diphenols, whereas 77 to 100% of the strains produced pigment when proline-ammonium sulfate-ornithine-methionine was the nitrogen source . Cryptococcus species other than C . neoformans and all tested Candida species failed to produce pigments from any of the substrates except when hydroquinone was used . A combination of glutamine-glycine-asparagine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine allowed differentiation of colonies of C . neoformans from C . albicans in 3 to 6 days . These data showed that pigment production from o- and p-diphenols served as an excellent biochemical test for the identification of C . neoformans.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1975 Jun, 63(6), 916 - 20
Recovery of Cryptococcus neoformans from sputum using new technics for the isolation of fungi from sputum; Gervasi JP et al.; Three sputum-digesting agents, N-acetyl-l-cytseine, dithiothreitol, and pancreatin-trypsin, were shown to be equally effective in allowing for the isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from sputum samples in quantitative comparisons . By quantitative plating on bird-seed medium it was also shown the centrifugation after digestion concentrated C . neoformans into a platable sediment and, further, that the organisms, when present in concentrations as low as 10 yeasts per ml . of sputum, could be isolated with much higher frequencies than when no digestion-centrifugation procedure was used.

Arch Dermatol, 1975 Jun, 111(6), 711 - 6
Immunologic studies in patients with sarcoidosis and cryptococcosis; Belcher RW et al.; Immunologic studies were performed in two patients with sarcoidosis, who developed cryptococcosis . Polymorphonuclear leukocyte function, complement, and serum antibodies were normal . Both patients had depressed cell-mediated immunity (cmi) to Cryptococcus neoformans and other antigens that persisted after therapy for their infection . These findings suggest that the patients' impaired CMI predisposed them to cryptococcal infection, which complicated their sarcoidosis . Evaluation of sarcoidosis cases should include studies of immune function, and the possibility of a secondary infection should be considered in patients with long-standing sarcoidosis, who develop unexpected changes in their clinical status.

J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1975 Jun, 55(6), 430 - 41
Abnormalities in cell-mediated immunity in patients with Cryptococcus neoformans infection; Schimpff SC et al.; Cryptococcin, streptokinase-streptodornase (SK-SD), mumps, and purified protein derivative (PPD) were used for skin testing and, with whole killed Cryptococcus neoformans, were used in migration inhibition and lymphocyte transformation assays of control subjects and patients with past or present disseminated C . neoformans infection . Cryptococcin was found to differentiate control subjects grouped by known Cryptococcus exposure . Cryptococcin and C . neoformans were effective in stimulating leukocyte migration inhibition and lymphocyte transformation in the cryptococcin skin test-positive control subjects . Fifteen apparently normal patients who had been cured of cryptococcosis were found, as a group, to have impaired responsiveness to skin testing with cryptococcin and mumps, minimal leukocyte migration inhibition when stimulated with cryptococcin or C . neoformans, but normal group responses to cryptococcin in Cryptococcus-induced lymphocyte transformation . Six patients with known predisposing conditions to disseminated infection (sarcoid, lymphoma, leukemia, steroid therapy) had markedly diminished responses to most skin tests and in vitro assays . It is suggested that the apparently normal individual who develops disseminated cryptococcal infection has subtle defects in cellular immunity that may have antedated and predisposed to infection.

J Biol Chem, 1975 May 10, 250(9), 3310 - 5
Cryptococcus laurentii cell envelope glycoprotein . Evidence for separate oligosaccharide side chains of different composition and structure; Raizada MK et al.; Particulate enzyme preparations of the fungus imperfectus Cryptococcus laurentii catalyze transfer of mannosyl and galactosyl residues from GDP-{14C}mannose and UDP-{3H}-galactose to the same endogenous acceptor . After solubilization with pronase, the major portion of both labels is retarded on Sepharose columns and forms a symmetrical peak, in which 14C and 3H coincide . Label also coincides with endogenous protein and carbohydrate . Both labels bind to Sepharose-Concanavalin A (Con A) and are eluted with alpha-methylglucoside . After beta elimination with NaOH-NaBH4 only 14C label retains binding to Sepharose-Con A; 3H label representing (6-O-alpha-galactosyl)10-O-beta-galactosyl-O-mannitol as previously reported (Raizada, M . K., Kloepfer, H . G., Schutzbach, J . S., and Ankel, H . (1974) J . Biol . Chem . 249, 6080-6086) no longer binds . The {14C}mannose-containing material after beta elimination yields a pentasaccharide and a trisaccharide . Similar penta- and trisaccharides can be isolated following beta elimination of particulate preparations of the organism after pronase treatment . Analytical data suggest that the structure of the isolated pentasaccharides corresponds to that of a pentasaccharide previously synthesized de novo using cell-free enzyme preparations of the organism: 2-O-alpha-mannosyl-6-O-alpha-mannosyl-3-O-alpha-mannosyl-(2-O-beta-xylosyl)-O-mannose (Schutzbach, J . S., Raizada, M . K., and Ankel, H . (1974) J . Biol . Chem . 249, 2953-2958) . The trisaccharide has the structure 2-O-alpha-mannosyl-2-O-alpha-mannosyl-O-mannitol . The data are consistent with a glycoprotein structure in which these three types of oligosaccharides are bound to a common polypeptide core through O-glycosidic linkages to threonyl and seryl residues.

Am J Med Sci, 1975 May-Jun, 269(3), 323 - 6
Serological reactions to Nocardia antigens; Humphreys DW et al.; Sera from 23 patients with nocardiosis were tested for the presence of precipitating antibodies against an extract of Nocardia asteroides . Sera from nine of 20 patients infected with Nocardia asteroides and one of three sera from patients with Nocardia brasiliensis produced one to three precipitin lines with the antigen . Sera from eight of 55 patients with tuberculosis and 11 of 13 patients with leprosy also contained Nocardia precipitins . None of 33 sera from patients with cryptococcosis, blastomycosis, actinomycosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, mucormycosis or candidiasis contained Norcardia antibodies . None of the sera from ten patients infected with Staphylococcus aureus, ten patients infected with Pseudomonas, or 16 sera from uninfected patients contained Nocardia precipitins.

Mycopathologia, 1975 Apr 30, 55(2), 105 - 13
Effect of temperature on growth and macromolecular biosynthesis in Cryptococcus species; Heere LJ et al.; Cryptococcus neoformans, a pathogenic yeast, grows at temperatures between 25 and 37 degrees C . However, the closely related non-pathogen C . albidus exhibits restricted growth at temperatures above ambient with little or no growth at 37 degrees C . The inhibition of growth of the non-pathogen, as measured by turbidity, cell number, and per cent budding, is reversible after 48 hr at the non-permissive temperature (37 degrees C) . Growth cessation at 37 degrees C is accompanied by a corresponding decrease in DNA synthesis, which is not observed in C . neoformans . RNA and protein synthesis in C . albidus and C . neoformans are only slightly affected at the elevated temperature . Degradation by nucleases does not seem to account for the differences found in this cumulative DNA synthesis in C . albidus at 25 and 37 degrees C . These facts suggest that C . albidus may possess a thermo-sensitive defect in the machinery responsible for the initiation of DNA replication.

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1975 Apr, 126(3), 275 - 94
{The enzymatic hydrolysis of cell wall applied to yeasts classification (author's transl)}; Bastide M et al.; The rigid structure of yeast cell wall may be a taxonomic criterion . Using the Helix pomatia juice (with mercaptoethylamine hydrochloride) as a polyenzymatic system, we have always obtained protoplasts from ascomycetous yeasts and never from basidiomycetous yeasts tested . Then, we have applied this enzymatic analysis to the Fungi imperfecti yeasts and, according to this test, separated genus looking like basidiomycetous behaviour: Trichosporon, Pityrosporum, Rhodotorula, Cryptococcus and non fermentative Candida (group II) . Oppositely, we have put together the Fungi imperfecti yeasts looking like ascomycetous behaviour: Kloeckera, Trigonopsis, Brettanomyces and fermentative Candida (group I) . With the second lytic system made of mercaptoethylamine-HCl and beta-(1-3)-D-glucanase, we have selected ascomycetous yeasts giving protoplasts: Saccharomycoidea with genus Saccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, Pichia, Hansenula, Citeromyces, Debaryomyces; we have joined Saccharomycodes and Hanseniaspora to this second group . The other ascomycetous yeasts studied did not give protoplasts with the definite lytic system made of purified beta-(1-3)-D-glucanase and thiol . These results seem to demonstrate that the structure of cell wall can act as an important taxonomic criterion.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1975 Apr, 111(4), 549 - 53
Cavitary pulmonary cryptococcosis complicated by aspergilloma; Rosenheim SH et al.; A roentgenogram of a 31-year-old office worker who had developed pleuritic pain showed multiple abscess cavities in the left lower lobe, and a clinical diagnosis of cryptococcosis was considered because of cryptococci recovered from a sputum smear and a positive indirect fluorescent antibody test . Lobectomy (after unsuccessful amphotericin therapy) proved the presence of a destructive cryptococcosis with Aspergillus proliferating in the cavities.

J Clin Microbiol, 1975 Apr, 1(4), 363 - 5
Antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in patients with cryptococcosis; Levine PH et al.; Antibody levels to the Epstein-Barr virus, the etiological agent for heterophile-positive infectious mononucleosis, have been demonstrated in high titer in a number of lymphomas as well as infectious mononucleosis . Recent reports have suggested that the elevated antibody levels to Epstein-Barr virus may be the nonspecific result of disordered cell-mediated immunity . This study of patients with cryptococcosis was therefore undertaken to examine another disorder of known etiology associated with a defect in cell-mediated immunity . In this study we found that antibody levels in cryptococcosis patients, including a group specifically demonstrated to be anergic to a series of skin test antigens, were no different than those in matched normal controls . At the present time, therefore, it is unlikely that elevated antibody levels can be explained solely on the basis of depressed cellular immunity.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1975 Apr, 77(4), 777 - 81
Postitional specificity of fatty acids in pyrophosphatidic acid from Cryptococcus neoformans; Itoh T et al.; Pyrophosphatidic acid isolated from Cryptococcus neoformans was degraded to phosphatidic acid in aqueous pyridine . The phosphatidic acid was hydrolyzed by phospholipase A (EC 3.1.1.4) of Crotalus adamanteus to lysophosphatidic acid and 2-positioned fatty acids . From the analyses of the fatty acid composition of pyrophosphatidic acid and its degraded products (phosphatidid acid, lysophosphatidic acid, and fatty acid), it was concluded that most of the saturated fatty acids of pyrophosphatidic acid were at the 1,1'-positions while the unsaturated fatty acids were largely confined to the 2,2'-positions . The positional specificity of the fatty acids in pyrophosphatidic acid coincided with that of ordinary glycerophosphatides.

Can Med Assoc J, 1975 Mar 22, 112(6), 712 - 6
Isolation of dermatophytes, Candida species and systemic fungi from dermatologic specimens in Montréal, 1963 to 1973; Dion WM et al.; Of 10 057 specimens of scrapings from skin, nails and scalp examined for dermatophytes, yeasts, pityriasis versicolor and systemic mycoses between 1963 and 1973, 30.4 percent were positive for fungi . Skin produced the highest proportion (68.6 percent) of positive scrapings, scalp the lowest (4.2 percent) . Trichophyton rubrum was the predominant species (23.6 percent); of lesser prevalence were Microsporum canis (9.3 percent), T . mentagrophytes (8.4 percent) and Epidermophyton floccosum (4.8 percent) . Double infections were encountered on 102 occasions; T . rubrum and Candida parapsilosis were the most frequent cohabiting species . The introduction in 1966 of periodic acid-Schiff staining for routine examination of scrapings resulted in better diagnostic results, particularly in the case of culturally nonproductive specimens and cases of pityriasis versicolor . Blastomyces dermatitidis and Cryptococcus neoformans were isolated from two patients in the course of routine investigation for dermatophytes.

JAMA, 1975 Mar 10, 231(10), 1057 - 9
Cryptococcus neoformans as a cause of lytic bone lesions; Burch KH et al.; Cryptococcosis is a disseminated infection of man and animals that involves many organs, especially the central nervous system . Isolated bone involvement may cause lytic bone lesions . Diagnosis may be made by pathologic sections and culture of specimens obtained through surgical biopsy . When Cryptococcus is recovered from bone, care must be taken to study other organ systems, especially the central nervous system . Isolated bone disease without meningitis is very uncommom . Intense medical therapy is necessary for treatment of meningitis; isolated osteomyelitis may respond to surgical drainage alone.

J Rheumatol, 1975 Mar, 2(1), 61 - 72
Deep fungal infection in systemic lupus erythematosus - three cases reported, literature reviewed; Sieving RR et al.; Three patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and deep fungal infection are described . Two patients had disseminated cryptococcal infection and the third disseminated histoplasmosis . Allwere receiving corticosteroids at the time fungal infection developed . One patient with disseminated cryptococcosis improved after treatment with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine . The other patient with disseminated cryptococcosis died before adequate therapy could be given . The patient with histoplasmosis responded satisfactorily to amphotericin B . A survey of the literature revealed 30 additional cases of deep fungal infection in patients with SLE, most of whom were on corticosteroid therapy . The majority of the patients had candidiasis (14 patients); 11 patients had severe cryptococcal infection . Other fungal infections reported were histoplasmosis, aspergillois, coccidioidomycosis, and maduromycosis caused by Allerscheria boydii . Twenty-seven patients died; in 22 death was related to the fungal infection . The fungal infection was not diagnosed until necropsy in at least 11 persons . Deep fungal infections should be considered whenever patients with SLE have fever of unknown origin, diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, or unexplained CNS symptoms.

J Clin Microbiol, 1975 Mar, 1(3), 309 - 10
Detection of fungi in blood cultures; Roberts GD et al.; In a retrospective study covering the period January 1972 to June 1974, recovery rates of bacteria and of fungi were generally equivalent with tryptic soy broth, Thiol, thioglycolate, and Columbia broth media (all under vacuum with carbon dioxide and sodium polyanetholesulfonate) . An additional biphasic medium consisting of brain heart infusion broth and a brain heart infusion agar slant, which was inoculated only where fungal sepsis was suspected clinically, yielded significantly higher recovery rates of fungi . There were 29 instances of cultures with fungi in both the biphasic and broth media, 80 instances of cultures with fungi only in the biphasic medium, and no instances of fungi only in the broth media . The isolates were as follows: Candida albicans, 74; C . parapsilosis, 20; C . tropicalis, 16; Torulopsis glabrata, 18; Torulopsis sp., 1; Cryptococcus neoformans, 12; C . laurentii, 2; and Histoplasma capsulatum, 16 . Despite routine subcultures of the broth media to chocolate blood agar within 24 h of inoculation and after 5 days of incubation, detection of fungemia was significantly improved by the use of a biphasic medium.

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 1975 Mar, 38(3), 305 - 8
Intraventricular cryptococcal granuloma; Maurice-Williams RS; A case is reported of a cryptococcal granuloma occurring within the lateral ventricle . The findings on angiography and brain-scanning led to a preoperative diagnosis of intraventricular meningioma . There are no previous reports of an isotope brain-scan in this condition and angiography usually shows an avascular swelling.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1975 Mar, 23(3), 211 - 8
{Cerebromeningeal cryptococcosis . Predisposing role of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with kidney transplants}; Lissoir FG et al.; Disseminated cryptococcal infection is described in eight patients, seven of them with verified meningeal involvement . Six of the eight patients were recipients of a renal homograft and submitted to the classical immunosuppressive treatment . Consideration is given to predisposing factors and to problems in the clinical, biological and mycological diagnosis . Some comments are presented on the often disappointing results of antifungal therapy of cryptococcal meningitis.

Mycopathologia, 1975 Feb 28, 55(1), 47 - 52
Mycotic flora of the interdigital spaces of the human foot: a preliminary investigation; McGinnis MR et al.; A qualitative and quantitative study of the mycotic flora of the interdigital spaces of 27 male volunteers yielded 1,291 moulds and 598 yeasts . Concurrently, a study of garden soil was conducted in order to obtain data concerning the transient-resident status of the fungi recovered from the feet . Of the 120 genera and species of fungi isolated, 51 were recovered from the volunteers, 53 from the soil, and 16 from both categories . The most commonly recovered fungi from the toewebs, in order to occurrence, were Torulopsis candida, Mycelia Sterilia, T . maris, Rhodotorula rubra, Cryptococcus albidus, and species of Aspergillus and Penicillium . Without sign of infection, Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated from 5 volunteers . Candida albicans was not recovered from any subject . Trichophyton mentagraphytes was recovered from 7 volunteers and T . rubrum from one.

Mycopathologia, 1975 Feb 28, 55(1), 17 - 22
Factors affecting experimental infection with Cryptococcus neoformans in mice with special reference to an endotoxic substance of C . neoformans; Kobayashi T et al.; A close correlation was observed between body weight and length of the survival time of mice inoculated intravenously (i.v.) with Cryptococcus neoformans (p less than 0.001) . An endotoxic substance of C . neoformans (Cr-ET) increased the susceptibility of mice to i.v . infection of C . neoformans only when more than 50 mug of Cr-ET was injected i.v . 24 hours before infection . Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of dimethyl sulfoxide which is found to enhance bacterial infection did not enhance death rate of mice infected i.p . with C . neoformans.

J Infect Dis, 1975 Feb, 131(2), 129 - 37
Combined activity of amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine against Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro and in vivo in mice; Hamilton JD et al.; The in vitro and in vivo activities of amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) alone and in combination were studied to determine possible drug interactions against two strains of Cryptococcus neoformans, one sensitive to 5-FC and one resistant to 5-FC . In vitro tube dilution studies demonstrated only additive effects with the 5-FC-sensitive organism but antagonism with eth 5-FC-resistant organism . A mouse model of cryptococcal meningitis allowed comparative drug trails in a new model for the detection of drug interactions . Drug combinations were no more effective against meningitis caused by the 5-FC-sensitive organism than the additive effects of the individual drugs . However, meningitis caused by the 5-FC-resistant Cryptococcus responded less to drug combinations than to either drug alone . Serum levels of amphotericin B and 5-FC were comparable in all groups . No evidence of toxicity from the drug combinations was found . No inhibition of development of resistance to 5-FC by the combination with amphotericin B was detected.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1975 Feb, 28(2), 112 - 7
New azasteroidal antifungal antibiotics from Geotrichum flavo-brunneum . III . Biological activity; Gordee RS et al.; The A25822 antibiotic complex consists of seven biologically active factors . A comparative study of these factors determined that factor B possessed the greatest antifungal activity . The minimal inhibitory concentration of A25822B against isolates of Candida albicans was less than 0.3 similar to 5.0 mug/ml, Trichophyton mentagrophytes was inhibited at less than 0.0312 mug/ml . Other pathogenic fungi such as Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Sporotrichum schenckii, and Microsporium gypseum were very susceptible to A25822B . Only limited antibacterial activity of A25822B was found . Parenteral or oral administration of 50 mg/kg of A25822B significantly extended the average survival time of mice infected with C . albicans . Doses of 20 mg/kg of A25822B caused a greater than ten-fold reduction in the number of Candida cells recovered from kidneys of infected mice . A solution of 0.5% or 0.25% A25822B applied topically was effective against an experimental dermatophyte infection on guinea pigs . A peak blood level of 3 mug/ml was achieved in mice following a 100 mg/kg dose of A25822B . Combination of A25822B with a polyene antibiotic in vitro showed antagonism.

J Med Microbiol, 1975 Feb, 8(1), 77 - 81
Inhibition of Cryptococcus neoformans by Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Teoh-Chan H et al.; Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to produce a factor or factors that inhibited Cryptococcus neoformans and appeared to be extracellular because the anti-C . neoformans activity was readily demonstrable in medium after the removal and killing of Pseudomonas organisms . Production of the inhibitor material was greatest in DST Agar after prolonged incubation and was reduced in the presence of glucose . A part of the inhibitory material was found to be chromatographically distinct from pyocyanin.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1975 Jan, 230(1), 81 - 5
{Contributions to the strain-specific virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans . Animal experiments with two C . neoformans-strains isolated from bird manure . Preliminary report (author's transl)}; Staib F et al.; The results briefly presented here highlight some of the observations met with during the course of a study aimed at finding out differential pathogenic behavior of the two strains of Cryptococcus neoformans i.e . W71/A117 and W2/A94 with special reference to cryptococcoma formation . Both strains were isolated from bird excreta but differed in their gross and microscopic morphology . Groups of male albino mice NMRI were separately inoculated, intramuscularly, with a comparable dose of the two strains . All the 50 animals challenged with W71/A117 developed macroscopically distinct cryptococcoma of variable size, and fatally progressive disease, involving most of the internal organs, namely, brain, heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidneys . On the contrary, only 34 of the 50 mice infected with the strain W2/A94 showed cryptococcoma formation at the site of inoculation, which were comparatively much smaller in size and gradually diminished . None of the animals, observed over a period of 93 days, died, and showed any sign of metastasis . In another series of experiment, only one instance of mortality was observed in a group of 80 mice inoculated intraperitoneally with about 2 X 10(7) viable cells of this strain . However, the fungus could be recovered, in a majority of cases, only from the brain of animals sacrificed after one month, though most of them showed no sign of sickness . The number of mice yielding positive cultures gradually decreased, and after 87 days the fungus could not be isolated from any organ . The high morbidity and mortality in mice caused by strains W71/A117 was significantly lowered when the animals were infected intramuscularly 3 months ago with the strain W2/A94 . After an observation period of 61 days, 91% of the double infected animals were still alive in comparison to 23% survival among the animals challenged with the strain W71/A117 only.

J Clin Microbiol, 1975 Jan, 1(1), 9 - 10
Comparison of four methods for determining nitrate utilization by cryptococci; Rhodes JC et al.; This study evaluated the following methods for determining nitrate utilization: Wickerham broth, a special nitrate broth, Delft plate, and nitrate strip . With 236 isolates of cryptococci as test organisms, the special nitrate broth method gave 99% correct results and the Wickerham broth method gave 98% . The nitrate strip and Delft plate methods gave correct results in 94 and 86% of tests, respectively . The special nitrate broth method is judged superior because it provides accurate results within 48 h, compared to 14 days with the Wickerham broth method.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1975, 230(4), 518 - 33
{Cryptococcoma and amphotericin B . Therapy of cryptococcosis - animal experiments . 2nd Communication: Patho-histological results (author's transl)}; Grosse G et al.; Since cryptococcosis is characterized by cryptococcoma formation, the antimycotic effect of amphothericin B was examined in view of such pathological-anatomical conditions . In white mice (NMRI), cryptococcoma formation was induced by intramuscular injection of Cryptococcus neoformans strain W71 into the hind leg (STAIB, 1962), using a suspension (0.2 ml) containing approximately 2.8 times 10-7 cells/ml . The mice were treated daily with 1 mg amphotericin B in 5% dimethyl sulfoxide by gastric intubation . Course of infection and effectivity of therapy were assessed by microbiological and patho-histological examination of the organs . In the present paper (2nd Communication) comparative patho-histological results in mice, treated with amphotericin B either immediately or from the 16th day p.i . or not at all, are reported . In the non-treated animals the course of infection we controlled by sacrificing 2 animals per day from the 2nd to the 25th day . Cryptococcoma found in the muscle, fat, and connective tissue in the hind leg of these animals were characterized by the two different patho-histological alterations: a) Masses of encapsulated cryptococci side by side were filling a paucireactive or non-reactive reticular structure with blood capillaries . b) Non-specific granulomatous tissue . The fungi were less abundantly found as non-encapsulated cells . On the 5th day after infection the first alterations due to dissemination were found in the lungs, then in other parenchymatous organs . Under immediate amphotericin B-therapy, no cryptococcoma was found at the place of infection; after a therapy of 30 days duration, C . neoformans could be detected in small conglomerates of non-encapsulated cells in muscle, fat and connective tissue . Histologically, a septic dissemination of the agent could not be found in this group . After a therapy of 25 days duration a shrinking of cryptococcoma was observed in animals treated from the 15th day after infection . Presumably this was caused by a loss of capsule and formation of non-specific granulomatous tissue . In the surroundings of blood vessels non-encapsulated cells were detectable . After therapy with amphotericin B, single cryptococci e.g . such disseminated into the lungs were increasingly showing morphological alterations which might be explained as forms of degeneration . The animal experiment in connection with microbiological and patho-histological follow-up studies is discussed with a view to the therapy of cryptococcosis in man . Because of the variable virulence of C . neoformans it has to be mentioned that this experiment was carried out with a strain of C . neoformans characterized by its capability to form cryptococcoma in mice.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1975, 20(3), 231 - 5
Growth of Cryptococcus neoformans in UV-irradiated excreta of pigeons; Hubalek Z et al.; UV irradiation of pigeon droppings resulted in an increased concentration of some inhibitors (peroxides) of growth of Cryptococcus neofarmans . This may be, in addition to the direct germicidal action of sunshine, another cause of the rare occurrence of this fungus in pigeon droppings on unsheltered sites in natural habitats.

J Clin Pathol, 1975 Jan, 28(1), 18 - 24
The morphological identification of pathogenic yeasts using carbohydrate media; Joshi KR et al.; Eight isolates of C . albicans were used to determine the frequency with which germ tube formation occurred: on rice extract -Tween 80 agar, on its components, and on 1% bactopeptone agar after three hr at 37 degrees C; in 0.5% aqueous solution of various carbohydrates; in various concentrations of glucose; on 0.5 and 0.1% glucose agar and on various types of agar alone . Subsequently 250 isolates of yeast of the genera Candida, Torulopsis, Trichosporon, Cryptococcus, and Saccharomyces, which were obtained from a clinical laboratory, were spread on rice extract -Tween 80 agar and on 0.1% glucose agar and covered with coverslips . Direct microscopic examination after incubation for three hours at 37 degrees C demonstrated germ tube formation by all 140 isolates of C . albicans, but by none of the other yeasts . The characteristic features of the pseudomycelia of isolates of Candida and Trichosporon were evident on reexamination after a further 45 to 69 hours at room temperature (22 degrees C) . These morphological observations suggested the identity of the isolates of Torulopsis, Cryptococcus, and Saccharomyces but identified virtually all (98.2%) of those of the genera which formed pseudomycelia . Of the latter group only four isolates required fermentation and assimilation tests to determine whether they were C . parapsilosis (1) or C . guilliermondii (3).

Infect Immun, 1975 Jan, 11(1), 73 - 9
Phagocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans by alveolar macrophages; Bulmer GS et al.; Guinea pig pulmonary macrophages phagocytized but did not kill nonencapsulated cells of Cryptococcus neoformans . The phagocytic process was inhibited by cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide . Pulmonary macrophages, activated by preinjecting heat-killed bacteria into intact animals, did not kill the engulfed yeast cells . Labeled cells of C . neoformans were neither killed nor cleared from guinea pig lungs 6 h postexposure . The results of our experiments indicate that during the first few hours after the lung is exposed to the infectious particle of C . neoformans the pulmonary macrophage does not function primarily to kill engulfed yeast cells . We believe that a rapid yet transient acute inflammatory response probably plays a major role in this process during the first few hours after C . neoformans enters the lung.

Folia Parasitol (Praha), 1975, 22(1), 73 - 9
Distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in a pigeon habitat; Hubalek Z; Samples of pigeon droppings were taken from 7 sites in a church tower contaminated with C . neoformans, and the distribution patterns of the fungus were studied . From various sites, 0 to 3 x 10(5) viable C . neoformans particles were recovered per one gram of dry excreta . The factors causing the different density of C . neoformans population in the habitat were: uric acid share of the total nitrogen, creatinine content, sunlight and probably pH . Chemical composition of the substrate is the primary factor in the distribution of C . neoformans in droppings.

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