COMPARATIVE HISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON COCCIDIOIDES IMMITIS AND HAPLOSPORANGIUM PARVUM

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Abstract
In conclusion, the most marked histochemical difference between the parasitic phases of Coccidioides immitis and Haplosporangium parvum is in the structure of the walls of the spherules. In the latter, the wall is composed of cellulose lying in a protein matrix relatively free of phospholipid; in the former, the wall of the spherule contains chitin, which lies in a protein matrix having an exterior layer of phospholipid. These histochemical differences indicate that the 2 forms are not related taxonomically and supply a method for identifying them at any stage of development in the host tissue.