17409 A new method for in vitro production of Fonsecaea pedrosoi fumagoid cells in a synthetic medium

Abstract

Introduction: Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the principal etiologic agent of chromoblastomycosis, a chronic infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. This dimorphic fungus is found in tissues in the form of spherical cells known as sclerotic, Medlar or fumagoid cells. Several methods have been reported to induce the formation of in vitro fumagoid cells based on acidic media supplemented with propranolol or platelet activating factor. However, it is very difficult to achieve the proliferation and growth of these tissue forms, which has hindered the physiologic knowledge of this microorganism in its parasitic phase.