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Persistent viability of the Medlar body
1Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
International Journal of Dermatology
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Medlar bodies, the fungal form causing chromomycosis, remain viable for over a year in skin scrapings. This explains long incubation periods and treatment challenges for this fungal infection.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Medlar bodies are a tissue form of fungi responsible for cutaneous chromomycosis.
- These fungal forms are found in abundance within the epidermis of infected individuals.
- Understanding Medlar body viability is crucial for managing chromomycosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the in vitro viability of Medlar bodies.
- To assess the longevity of the fungal tissue form in lesional epidermis.
Main Methods:
- Epidermal scrapings were collected from three patients with chromomycosis caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi.
- Samples were cultured periodically to monitor fungal viability over time.
Main Results:
- The causative fungus, Fonsecaea pedrosoi, was successfully recovered from cultures 11, 15, and 18 months after sample collection.
- This demonstrates prolonged viability of Medlar bodies in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Medlar bodies exhibit remarkable hardiness and adaptability.
- Their extended viability supports the possibility of long incubation periods after fungal implantation.
- The resilience of Medlar bodies may contribute to the difficulty in curing chromomycosis.