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Abnormal form of Aspergillus terreus isolated from mycotic abscesses
Abstract:
A remarkable outer cell-wall thickening (up to 1.5 muM) was observed on septate hyphae obtained from pus collected from multiple abscesses of a 25-year-old female patient. Ultrastructural examination of the hyphae showed a thick electron dense layer of microfibrillar material surrounding the electron transparent cell wall. The organism was able to grow only on hypertonic media upon initial isolation but on later subculture it grew on normal isotonic media. The thick microfibrillar material diminished progressively upon subculture but could be demonstrated in 7 day secondary cultures in isotonic liquid medium. There, microfibrillar bridges appeared to bind hyphae together. The observations suggested that this microfibrillar material was a true extracellular component. The immunological status of the patient was not examined, but her 10 year history of multiple mycotic abscesses and dermatophytoses suggested some abnormalities.
Insights
Septate hyphae from patient abscesses showed significant outer cell-wall thickening with microfibrillar material. This extracellular component diminished with subculture, suggesting adaptation in fungal infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Cell Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Investigating fungal morphology in clinical specimens is crucial for understanding pathogenesis.
- The patient presented with a history of multiple mycotic abscesses and dermatophytoses, suggesting potential immune system abnormalities.
Observation:
- Septate hyphae from abscess pus exhibited remarkable outer cell-wall thickening (up to 1.5 µM).
- Ultrastructural analysis revealed a thick, electron-dense microfibrillar layer surrounding the cell wall.
- Initial growth occurred only on hypertonic media, with adaptation to isotonic media upon subculture.
Findings:
- The microfibrillar material, identified as an extracellular component, diminished progressively with subculture.
- Microfibrillar bridges were observed binding hyphae together in secondary cultures.
- The organism demonstrated environmental adaptability through changes in cell wall structure and growth media requirements.
Implications:
- The findings suggest a unique extracellular matrix contributing to fungal survival and pathogenesis in host tissues.
- Understanding this microfibrillar material could offer new targets for antifungal therapies.
- Further investigation into the patient's immunological status is warranted to elucidate the host-pathogen interaction.