Uncommon characteristics of the structure and development of Trichosporon asahii.
BACKGROUND
Trichosporon asahii (T. asahii) is one of the most important pathogenic fungus in the genus of trichosporon. Although the species identification of T. asahii was based upon the complicated results of morphologic, biochemical and biologic examination, the morphology characteristic is still the first clue to the species. Some common structures of T. asahii had been described such as arthrofilaments and arthroconidia, but other important structures of T. asahii were unclear.


METHODS
Six strains of T. asahii were incubated on the slant and micro culture of Sabouraud's dextrose agar at 30 degrees C for 7 days. Samples were fixed using 2% paraformaldehyde and 2.5% glutaraldehyde. T. asahii was observed under scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope.


RESULTS
The detailed characteristics of the diverse sites of germination, as well as some uncommon structures such as giant cell, sarcinate, and club-shaped macroconidia, were presented. The pseudohyphae of T. asahii were noted to produce true hyphae, either along the longitude axis or on the flank. T. asahii was noted to have blastic and thallic conidiation. Digitated branches, trichoid structures and septa inside the spores were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
These results may add our knowledge to the structure and development of T. asahii.
Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Beijing Military Command, Beijing 100010, China.
Wen-ling
WL
Wang
Rong-ya
RY
Yang
Jun-hong
JH
Ao
D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014250:Trichosporon / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure*