Studies on the molecular ecology of Blastomyces dermatitidis

The microecology of Blastomyces dermatitidis, the dimorphic etiologic agent of the potentially fatal systemic fungal infection, blastomycosis, is not well defined. Blastomyces dermatitidis may occur periodically at natural sites, perhaps aided by rotting organic material, animal droppings and physical changes. Semi-quantitative growth studies of B. dermatitidis on 2% agar plates determined the ability to utilize or tolerate a variety of substrates including simple and complex molecules as carbon source, and organic and inorganic nitrogen sources. Allantoin, creatinine, quanidoacetic acid, guanidine and cysteine may be used as sole nitrogen source. Allantoin in combination with dextrose, glycerol, lichenen, celloboise and other wood by-products support growth of B. dermatitidis at room temperature. The nutritional conversion of the fungus to the yeast form at room temperature, well demonstrated on allantoin/glycerol/yeast extract media, appears to be affected by certain inorganic compounds. The organism tolerates low to moderate levels of alpha-pinene, tannic acid, shikimic acid, veratryl alcohol, vanillic acid, and polyethyleneglycol-200. There are significant differences among isolates regarding growth on various substances at 20 degrees and 37 degrees centigrade. It appears that a variety of wood by-products and animal waste substrates, in combination, support the growth of B. dermatitidis. Their role in the ecological niche of B. dermatitidis, and the importance of nutritional dimorphism in the natural environment warrants further investigation.