Activation of quiescent mucormycotic granulomata in rabbits by induction of acute alloxan diabetes.

In normal rabbits subcutaneous granulomata produced by the injection of a spore suspension of Rhizopus oryzae remained confined to the site of inoculation, showed no fungus proliferation, no longer yielded the agent on culture 10 weeks after inoculation, and eventually healed. Similar well established granulomata in rabbits with acute alloxan diabetes induced 8, 10, and 15 days after injection of the fungus uniformly showed activation of the infection. This occurred only in animals showing acetonuria. In these animals the skin lesions showed proliferation of the fungus frequently associated with invasion and early necrosis of the granuloma wall. In some instances, spread of the infection to adjacent tissues with invasion of blood vessels had occurred. These experiments illustrate that changes in host metabolism can activate a preexisting quiescent infection.