Observations on the chemical compositions of some pathogenic fungi for humans determined by X-ray microanalysis.

Abstract

The electron microprobe analyzer was used to study the chemical compositions of some pathogenic fungi for humans. Elementary analysis was based on the characteristic X-ray spectra generated by the electrons passing through the specimens. This is a non-destructive method allowing to perform multiple elementary analysis in the same tissue. In order to increase our understanding of pathogenic fungi, small pieces of fungi tissue were analyzed. The species examined were Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis and Fonsecaea pedrosoi.