agar and diphenyl

Topics: Agar; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Antifungal Agents; Antioxidants; Ballota; Biphenyl Compounds; Butyric Acid; Cymenes; Eucalyptol; Fungi; Marrubium; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; NADPH Oxidases; Oils, Volatile

In an HIV-positive patient, the suspected diagnosis of histoplasmosis capsulatum (being the first opportunistic infection indicating AIDS) on the basis of histopathological findings in biopsy material could be proved by culture on Staib agar (syn. Guizotia abyssinica creatinine agar, bird seed agar, etc.). On Staib agar, after 4 weeks at 26 degrees C, there was a cockade-like colony growth, consisting of a white centre, followed by a brown-red pigmented zone surrounded by a border of submerged mycelial growth of tan to brownish colour. Morphologically, there was a moderate formation of tuberculate macroconidia and a heavy formation of microconidia. On neutral Sabouraud's dextrose agar, there was a colony formation without pigment (albino type) free of tuberculate macroconidia and microconidia. Proposals for further investigation of these preliminary observations are made.

Topics: Adult; Agar; Biphenyl Compounds; Histoplasma; Humans; Male; Pigments, Biological

In February and March 1984, Cryptococcus neoformans was detected in the manure and ambient air of a volery in the Berlin Zoo in which a Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) was kept. Both times, 5 colony-forming units of Cr. neoformans could be isolated on the differential medium, Guizotia abyssinica creatinine agar, from 40 1 of air aspirated by the Reuter Centrifugal Sampler (RCS). The absence of a concurrent growth of moulds was found to be of special importance for the optimal isolation of Cr. neoformans on the above mentioned agar for purposes of epidemiological research into airborne dissemination of the fungus. The advantages and disadvantages of 0.1% biphenyl to inhibit concurring growth of moulds are discussed. The control of habitats and foci of Cr. neoformans in zoos and similar establishments is considered a necessity, to prevent inhalatory exposure of susceptible, e.g. immuno-compromised persons.

Topics: Agar; Air Microbiology; Animals; Animals, Zoo; Biphenyl Compounds; Birds; Creatinine; Cryptococcus; Cryptococcus neoformans; Culture Media; Feces; Mice; Microbiological Techniques; Specimen Handling

A newly described medium with esculin for identification of Cryptococcus neoformans was compared with Staib's Guizotia abyssinica extract-creatinine medium (GAEC) with and without diphenyl (DF). Twenty-seven samples of pigeon manure were examined. Cr. neoformans was found in 6 samples (22%) on GAEC plates (-DF); ESC medium (-DF) and malt extract agar allowed isolation from 2 and 3 samples respectively. Cr. neoformans was found in 0 to 2 samples when DF was added. Colonies of Cr. neoformans found on ESC plates had no distinctive pigmentation although inocula of pure cultures produced brown colonies. On GAEC plates some colonies of Cr. neoformans turned brown not until after 2 weeks of incubation. At 1 month the presence of pigmented colonies on GAEC plates (-DF) allowed the identification of 5 of the 6 samples from which Cr. neoformans was isolated. Other yeasts were grown from 26 samples (96%) and Torulopsis candida was found to be more frequent than Cr. neoformans.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Biphenyl Compounds; Columbidae; Cryptococcus; Cryptococcus neoformans; Culture Media; Esculin; Fungicides, Industrial; Manure; Pigments, Biological