Abstract
Summary
The effect of drying on the loss of viability of Blastomyces dermatitidis in sterile soil is reported. 1. An average of 90% loss of viability occurred after 5 days storage at room temperature in cotton plugged tubes or in a desiccator. The loss increased to 95% after 11 days or longer. Aliquots of this soil mixed and stored for 10 days in a humidity chamber at room temperature showed a 2-fold increase in viable particles. 2. The loss of viability from storage of soil in tubes after 3 days was 75% with an increase to a 90% loss by 5 days. A 95% loss after 25 days when stored at room temperature or in a desiccator was observed. When soil was placed in a humidity chamber and stored at 4°C for 25 days, only 14% loss in viability occurred. 3. Although B. dermatitidis in soil may lose 90-95% viability after 5-10 days at room temperature, longer storage of up to 90 days does not affect the remaining 5% viable particles. Little change was noted in soil suspended in saline at 4°C after 7 days, but after 30 days, a 95% loss of viable particles was detected. 4. The degree of loss of viability appeared to be correlated with water loss by evaporation.
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