Occurrence of Blastomyces dermatitidis in Israel. First autochthonous Middle Eastern case.

A nodule from the infrapatellar region of the left knee of a patient in Israel was found by fluorescent antibody staining to contain the tissue form cells of Blastomyces dermatitidis. The diagnosis was confirmed by culture and other mycological studies when a second lesion appeared below the right knee. This represents the first autochthonous case of blastomycosis from Israel and the Middle East.

Occurrence of Histoplasma capsulatum Darling, 1906 in Israel, with a review of the current status of histoplasmosis in the Middle East.

The isolation of Histoplasma capsulatum from a bat cave in the Galilee region of Israel is reported along with the discovery of a bat (Myotis myotis) infected by H. capsulatum. Soils collected in avian and chiropteran habitats throughout Israel also yielded the following fungi of medical interest: Arthroderma quadrifidum, A. tuberculatum, Candida parapsilosis, Chrysosporium indicum, C. keratinophilum, C. tropicum, Cryptococcus neoformans, Ctenomyces serratus, Microsporum gypseum, and Petriellidium boydii. All available reports concerning the occurrence of H. capsulatum and histoplasmosis in the Middle East are critically reviewed.

The pathogenesis of synergistic lung damage in mice by an environmental irritant (H2SO4) and particulate antigen.

Daily inhalation by mice of an environmental irritant (H2SO4) followed by consequent respiratory immunization with a particulate antigen (sheep red blood cells, SRBC) induced severe interstitial pneumonitis. Inhalation of H2SO4 per se resulted in accumulation of i.v. injected globulin in the lungs of mice, without significant change in lung weight. In addition, when marker colloidal carbon particles were injected i.v. following H2SO4 inhalation, the carbon was rapidly trapped in the capillary wall in the lungs. Homologous anti-SRBC serum instilled into the respiratory tract followed by subsequent SRBC inhalation produced inflammation and injury similar to that generated by H2SO4 in combination with particulate antigen. It is postulated that following irritant inhalation, the permeability of alveolocapillary membranes increases, so that immune complexes formed by pre-existing circulating antibodies and inhaled antigen can initiate subsequent lung injury.

Chicken dermatitis and loss of feathers from Candida albicans.

An epidemic of dermatitis affecting the skin of the back and thighs of chickens in Israel is described. The causal organism was shown to be Candida albicans.

Candida tropicalis infecting the respiratory tract of turkeys in Israel.

A Candida tropicalis epidemic is described that affected the respiratory tract of turkeys receiving antibiotics in their food and drinking water. When the antibiotics were stopped and Io-vine given, the disease was cured.

Cytopathology of nipple discharge due to Pityrosporum orbiculare and cocci in an elderly woman.

A case has been described where cytologic examination first showed a fungus infection as the possible cause of a nipple discharge of long duration. The discharge was found to be associated with Pityrosporum orbiculare, Micrococcus tetragenes and Staphylococci (coagulase negative). Administration of an antibiotic that inhibited the bacteria cured the condition.

[Histoplasmosis in two badgers (Meles meles) in northern Germany]. / Histoplasmose bei zwei Dachsen (Meles meles) in Norddeutschland.

An infection with Histoplasma capsulatum was diagnosed in two wild badgers (Meles meles) in northern Germany, which was predominantly localized in the skin and the regional lymph nodes. The yeast-like fungi were identified in tissue sections using histological and immunohistological methods.

Fungal infections of the cardiovascular system--a review.

Various yeasts and filamentous fungal infections of human and animal heart and blood vessels, as well as the experimental investigations, are reviewed. Clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic and pathological aspects are discussed. The prevalence of mycotic infection of the heart, once considered to be an uncommon disease, has been reported frequently during recent years. The rate will certainly be higher if cases are more thoroughly investigated.

Zygomycosis in ostriches.

An unusual disease characterized by anorexia, progressive stunting and stomach impaction was observed in young ostriches after treatment with antibiotics. The massive accumulation of a clear white gelatinous mucus adherent to the inner surface of the ventriculus plus a severe necrosis of the glandular layer were the only consistent findings. Histological examination revealed typical forms of a zygomycete invading the affected tissue. The zygomycete Rhizopus oryzae was isolated from the ventriculus of all the affected ostriches.

Upper respiratory tract infection in mouse and rats.

Spontaneous aspergilloma in the para-nasal cavities of 2 rats, and a chronic granuloma with grains, caused by Gram-positive cocci in the maxillary sinus of a mouse, are reported.

Parsley-induced photosensitivity in ostriches and ducks.

Clinical and pathological changes suggesting an acute case of photo-sensitivity were observed in a flock of ostriches. A preliminary diagnosis of parsley (Petroselinum sativum)-induced photosensitisation was confirmed by experimental reproduction of the typical lesions in ducks. This seems to be the first report on natural and experimental induction of photosensitivity in ostriches and ducks caused by the ingestion of parsley.