[Filaments of the "Candida albicans" in human serum (author's transl)]

A study on human serum activity on Candida albicans cells has been carried out. In smear microcultures the microcolonies morphogenesis and the thread formation in the presence of serum, as well as the reappearance of normal yeast cells after re-growth in normal nutrient agar has been assessed. The serum globulin-fraction appeared to have the greatest germ-tube inducing activity: an heat-sensitive quality that went lost after 30 minutes at 100 degrees C. The multiplying activity of the Candida cells was almost completely abolished in the presence of serum. Realying on these experimental findings the AA. suggest that a demaging factor may be present in sera, linked to the globulin protein fraction, that hinders the Candida cell-wall normal synthesis: hence follows the appearance of threads, mostly deprived of multiplying activity. A condition in some way akin to the well known filament inducing activity of penicillin on Gram-negative bacteria.