Modification of the Francis Medium for the Conversion of Histoplasma capsulatum to the Yeast-Like Growth Phase

Abstract

We propose a modification of Francis agar used for identification of the causative agent of histoplasmosis by in vitro conversion of the mycelial culture to the yeast-like growth phase. For improving of the growth characteristics of the medium, we used FT-agar with glucose-vitamin additives developed for culturing of the tularemia causative agent. The modified Francis medium is characterized by significantly higher growth properties and allowed 10-fold increasing the number of CFU of yeast-like cells of both American and African histoplasmosis causative agent.