Abstract
The causative agents of mycotic granulomas can almost always be diagnosed histologically with adequate certainty by the application of special stains for fungi; this is in contrast to the bacterial granulomas, whose histologic appearance permits no certain conclusions and which therefore require cultures as an adjunct to diagnosis. In addition, the histologic picture also shows whether there has actually been an interaction between the body and the fungus. To be sure, cultures are necessary to distinguish the species of certain genera: e.g., Candida, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Mucor; however, of the two, cultures can more readily be dispensed with. It is necessary to distinguish more strictly than heretofore between the infections that have been lumped under actinomycosis; these are true actinomycosis, actinobacillosis, nocardiosis, streptothricosis and bacterial granulomas with sulfur granule formation, e.g., staphylococcal granulomas. The means for distinguishing between these are discussed.
The more or less pronounced granulomatous character of the numerous bacterial or fungal inflammations is a peculiar attribute of these processes; it is better to use the more general term “infectious granulomas” rather than “specific inflammations”.
The histologic appearance of the lesion and the causative organism is illustrated for several of the infectious granulomas of animals.