Gerald L. Baum

So-called “metastatic” calcification of the lung

Abstract A case of rapidly progressive metastatic pulmonary calcification associated with a primary hepatic hemangio-endothelial sarcoma prompted study of the autopsy experience with pulmonary metastatic calcification. Twelve additional cases were found in a review of over 7,000 autopsies performed in a twenty year period. One surgical specimen was also studied. Chronic renal disease and primary parathyroid abnormalities accounted for seven of the cases, but the remaining seven were almost certainly due to malignant disease with destructive bone lesions.

Cavitary histoplasmosis complicated by fungus ball

Abstract A review of recorded and our own experience with intracavitary fungus balls reveals aspergillus to be the most commonly identified fungus. Such fungus balls are characterized roentgenologically by a crescent-like shadow above a movable ball-like structure. The cavities invaded by aspergillus most commonly are of bronchiectatic origin. Four proved cases of cavitary histoplasmosis complicated by intracavitary development of aspergillus are presented herein.

The Significance of Candida albicans in Human Sputum

THE presence of fungi (both yeasts and molds) in sputum has been of increasing interest since the advent of antibiotics and steroids as common therapeutic agents. In addition, the development of two potent antifungal antibiotics, nystatin and amphotericin B, has made urgent the question of significance of positive sputum cultures for fungi. In general the extensive use of steroids, penicillin, streptomycin and the tetracycline drugs has led to the more frequent finding of fungi in sputum cultures. However, the importance of this finding in relation to pulmonary disease is not understood since the organisms represent, for the most part, normal .xa0.xa0.

The history of histoplasmosis, 1906 to 1956.

HISTOPLASMOSIS is a fungous disease that is almost world wide in distribution but is most frequently seen in an area of the United States roughly defined as the Mississippi Valley. Millions of pers...

Successful Infection of Pigeons and Chickens with Histoplasma capsulatum.

The first repeatedly successful infection withHistoplasma capsulatium of pigeons and chickens is reported. From 44 intravenously infected pigeonsHistoplasma capsulatum could be recovered by culture in 20 cases as long as 45 days after injection; from 10 chickens 5 positive cultures were obtained.

Chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis

Abstract Twenty patients with chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis have been studied pathologically, clinically, roentgenologically and mycologically. The disease, which is most commonly seen in middle-aged men is, generally progressive and fatal unless treated with amphotericin B. The diagnosis is strongly suggested by a positive complement fixation test result and should be readily substantiated by sputum cultures.

Cystic disease of the lung: Report of eighty-eight cases, with an ethnologic relationship

Abstract Eighty-eight cases of cystic disease of the lung, as defined by the appearance of ring shadows on plain or tomographic chest films, are presented. The associated clinical, roentgenologic, physiologic and pathologic data are reviewed. The genesis and definition of these cystic structures are not clear but an ethnic association in our material is demonstrated and a familial relationship is suspected. It is suggested that the majority of the cases in this series are congenital in origin. The nature of the congenital defect is not clear at the present time but an abnormal bronchial artery-pulmonary artery relationship may be the basic lesion in this group of cases.

Isolation of fungi from judean desert soil

1. Results of culture of thirty soil samples obtained from the Judean Desert on the western side of the Dead Sea are reported. These soil samples were obtained from caves found in the walls of the cliff leading to the plateau Massada, the level of the caves varying from sea level to 300 feet below. 2. Two strains ofCryptococcus neoformans were recovered from soil obtained from a bat cave 300 feet below the top of the plateau. 3. No evidence ofHistoplasma capsulatum orCoccidioides immitis was found. 4. This evidence, coupled with negative skin test data reported previously, implies thatHistoplasma capsulatum andCoccidioides immitis are probably not inhabitants of soil in this part of Israel.

Comparative Virulence Studies of Histoplasma capsulatum isolated from Men, Dogs and Soils.

Experimental studies with 10 soil strains, 11 dog strains, and 10 human strains ofHistoplasma in hamsters and in mice are described. Mortality rates in animals are compared and histopathologic findings and cultural results are described. Three strains seem to show more morphologic variability and less virulence for animals than others. All strains ofH. capsulatum appear pathogenic in animals, regardless of the source of the strains.

Susceptibility to amphotericin B of pliagocytosed yeast cells of Histoplasma capsulatum.

Susceptibility to amphotericin B was determined for 3–1 strains of Histoplasma capsulaltum by a method which allowed appraisal of the effect of phagocytosis on the yeast cells. Each strain of II. capsulatum was converted to the yeast phase on Kurungs medium or blood agar at 37° C. Bacteria-free polymorphonuclear leukocytes were obtained after glycogen injection intraperitoneally into mice. The white blood cells and a suspension of H. capsulation yeast cells were allowed to incubate for 4 hours at 37° C. and the resulting suspension checked for susceptibility of the phagocytosed yeast cells to amphotericin B. At the same time an equal concentration of nonphagocytosed yeast cells of the same strain was also checked for susceptibility. The tube dilution method was used throughout. Results indicated decreased susceptibility of phagocytosed yeast cells of 33 of the strains tested. For the 3-strain susceptibility was equal for phagocytosed and nonphagocytosed yeast cells.