title: Studies in sporotrichosis: fungal morphogenesis and pathogenicity in differing environments.
abstract: Sporothrix schenckii exhibits different morphology and pathogenic properties according to the source and circumstances of its growth. The present study considers the morphology and experimental pathogenicity in relation to - the 'wild' strains; the possible circumstances enhancing pathogenicity in strains recovered from the soil; the rate and nature of the transformational steps in morphology, in human and experimental infections by established pathogenic strains; the elimination of pathogenic strains to the surface of clinical lesions, enabling a simplified diagnostic proof of infection; the rate and nature of the reversion of pathogenic forms to the 'wild' type when the constraints of the host are lessened; the plasticity of conidium-pigmentation as a sign of pathogenicity; the morphological conversions on moist wattle-wood as occur in the Gold Mines; and a note on the therapeutic value of itraconazole. Host resistance is seen to play a larger part in morphology of the pathogenic phase, and exhaustion of natural food resources as the generator of potentially pathogenic forms.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009024:Morphogenesis; D051381:Rats; D013175:Sporothrix / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013174:Sporotrichosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology