Brown-red pigment formation by the mycelial phase of a clinical isolate of Histoplasma capsulatum on Staib agar. A preliminary report.

In an HIV-positive patient, the suspected diagnosis of histoplasmosis capsulatum (being the first opportunistic infection indicating AIDS) on the basis of histopathological findings in biopsy material could be proved by culture on Staib agar (syn. Guizotia abyssinica creatinine agar, bird seed agar, etc.). On Staib agar, after 4 weeks at 26 degrees C, there was a cockade-like colony growth, consisting of a white centre, followed by a brown-red pigmented zone surrounded by a border of submerged mycelial growth of tan to brownish colour. Morphologically, there was a moderate formation of tuberculate macroconidia and a heavy formation of microconidia. On neutral Sabouraud's dextrose agar, there was a colony formation without pigment (albino type) free of tuberculate macroconidia and microconidia. Proposals for further investigation of these preliminary observations are made.