Abstract
In experiment of cryptococcal meningitis of dogs, effect of adrenal cortical hormone was studied.
1) When hydrocortisone in different doses and the fungus were intrathecally injected at the same time, all dogs died of typical cryptococcal meningitis in a few days. It was also found that the fungus having no capsule did not produce capsule in Sabouraud's liquid media containing hydrocortisone. The hormone would, therefore, seem to interfere with host defense mechanism, and clinical use of the hormone to cryptococcal meningitis was considered to be contraindicated.
2) A method of distinguishing cryptococcal meningitis from bacterial meiningitis was proposed. In experimental cryptococcal meningitis of dogs, a significant amount of cerebrospinal fluid ammonia was found. This would seem to due to urease of the fungus. No significant amount of alcohol or ammonia was found in any case of meningococcal, tuberculous, serous meningitis.
3) In histologic and mycologic examination, unusual affinity of the fungus for leptomeninges was considered.
