THE FUNGAL FLORA OF ULCERATED LEGS.

The legs of patients with venous ulcers have been examined for fungi, and the factors affecting the growth and spread of the organisms found have been studied. Candida parapsilosis, Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani were the most common species. Their headquarters was the moist skin surrounding the ulcers rather than the ulcers themselves, but such skin was regularly invaded by fungi only in patients from certain clinics: in these clinics there was evidence of cross-infection between patients during treatment. C. parapsilosis was found to be less dependent on moisture than the Fusarium spp. and was associated with the less severe and drier ulcers as well as with the severe ones. The Fusaria were found only in legs with severe, moist ulcers. Experiments and observations to determine the origin of the fungi and the effect on them of various environmental conditions are reported, and the clinical and epidemiological significance of the results discussed. The unexpected rarity of C. albicans, which was only found once, is also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]