Conversion and Maintenance of Histoplasma capsulatum in Tissue Culture

Conclusions

1. Tissue culture method can be successfully used to convert Histoplasma capsulatum to the tissue phase. 2. Six of 13 isolations did not convert to the tissue phase in absence of HeLa cells; with all isolates conversion was more complete and rapid in presence of cells. 3. The yeast phase can be propagated and maintained in tissue culture mediums without HeLa cells in 100 ml centrifuge bottles. 4. Rotation of cultures is necessary to assure maximum growth of yeast cells in tissue culture medium. 5. The technic can be successfully used to convert other diphasic systemic fungi, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Sporotrichum schenckii, and Coccidioides immitis to their tissue phase. 6. Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans can be propagated in tissue culture medium without HeLa cells.