CRYPTOCOCCUS HISTOLYTICUS ISOLATED FROM SUBCUTANEOUS TUMOR

Abstract

A systematic study of a yeast identified as Cryptococcus histolyticus is reported here, in order to help clarify the confusion that now exists in the literature on pathogenic yeasts. Many of the reports have merely described the isolation of a yeastlike organism. Only a few have mentioned any of the characteristics of the isolated organism that might aid in a better classification of those organisms associated with disease processes. The organism isolated in the case of cutaneous torulosis which I report here conforms to the morphologic and physiologic characteristics of C. histolyticus. As Mook and Moore¹ have recently pointed out, there is much discussion as to the correctness of the terms Torula and Cryptococcus in reference to the etiologic agent of torulosis. The term Torula is commonly used in the literature and has supplanted the correct term, Cryptococcus. Mook and Moore¹ have shown that Cryptococcus is the correct