THE SPECIFICITY OF THE SLIME FLUX OF MESQUITE FOR THE YEAST CRYPTOCOCCUS NEOFORMANS.
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated from 7% of 58 slime flux samples from mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) but not from the slime flux of Mexican blue oak (Quercus oblongifolia), scrub oak (Quercus emoryii), cottonwood (Populus fremontii) or saguaro (Cereus giganteus). Cryptococcus neoformans was also found in 3.3% of 90 mesquite bark samples and in 9% of 22 mesquite twigs but not in leaves, flowers, pods or sap. It was never encountered in cultures of 238 insects, 10 bird dung samples or the intestinal contents of 3 lizards. Growth of Cryptococcus neoformans occurred in Czapek's solution and nutrient broth only when extracts of mesquite slime flux or extracts made from mesquite plat parts were added. Growth did not occur in these media when extracts made from the other desert plants were added. A temporary inhibition of growth of Cryptococcus neoformans was produced by an extract of cottonwood flux but not by that of any other plants studied. It was not found possible to establish infection by inoculation of the yeast into the slime flux of desert plants including mesquite. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0618754
Entities
People
- Neil C. Westerlund
Organizations
- University of Arizona