The fungi in pulmunary tuberculosis

Abstract

The authors believe that pathologists do not pay enough attention to the fungi ohserved in lhe respiratory tract in a great number of morbid conditions and especially in cases of pulmonary tuherculosis. The action of these fungi should not be overlooked since they are able to produce grave diseases and even death. The opinion of several authors are cited in confirmation of this fact. Examination of the sputum - - Twenty-six samples of sputum of tuberculous individuais were examined; fungi were observed in 15 cases, hy the examination of a smear slide. Cultures - All samples of sputum were cultured for the isolation of fungi. Acid broth (2,0) was used, 2 hours at 37°C. followed by inoculation in Sabouraud's agar medium. Only 9 cases were negative. These organisms were then studied in reference to their determinative classification. The fungi were cultured on sugar media and no two similar organisms were observed. The classification proposed by Castellani, based on the fermentation of carbohydrates, seems insufficient excep in reference to a few fungi with fixed properties. Reports are given of experiments undertaken with guineapigs, inoculated in the lungs or peritoneum with triturated cultures of fungi. The lesions produced were studied macroscopic and microscopically. The amount of calcium present in the blood was studied on rabbits inoculated with fungi. The complement reaction was tried in the endeavor to differentiate a Monilia from an Ascomycete. lt was observed that sodium iodide exerted an inhibiting action in reference to the ill effects of pathogenic fungi. The clinicai syrnptoms of the mycoses were recorded.