agar and Coccidioidomycosis

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

Topics: Agar; Animals; Coccidioides; Coccidioidomycosis; Male; Mice

No growth of Coccidioides immitis occurred when fluid from infected tissue or arthrospores suspended in distilled water were plated on the surface of Sabouraud medium, solidified with refined agar, and containing 20 mg of polymyxin B per liter. Solidification of Sabouraud medium with unrefined agar completely abolished the anticoccidioidal activity of polymyxin B.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Coccidioides; Coccidioidomycosis; Disease Models, Animal; Lung; Polymyxins

The value of various serological tests in the diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis was studied. Quantitative agar-gel immunodiffusion and indirect immunofluorescent tests were performed, and the results were compared with those of complement fixation and qualitative agar-gel procedures. The quantitative immunodiffusion procedure was found to serve as the simplest and safest quantitative test that could be performed for evaluation purposes, whereas the indirect fluorescent-antibody test gave nonspecific reactions and, as such, proved unsuitable.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antigens; Blastomycosis; Coccidioidomycosis; Complement Fixation Tests; Cross Reactions; Diagnosis, Differential; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Fungi; Histoplasmosis; Humans; Immune Sera; Immunodiffusion; Methods; Paracoccidioides; Rabbits; Serologic Tests; Tuberculosis

Topics: Agar; Agglutination Tests; Antigens; Coccidioides; Coccidioidomycosis; Humans; Immune Sera; Immunodiffusion; Lung Diseases, Fungal; Serologic Tests

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antigens; Coccidioidomycosis; Humans; Immune Sera; Immunodiffusion; Indicators and Reagents; Lighting; Methods; Rabbits