Sporothrix schenckii--a freeze-fracture study.

Freeze-fracture electron microscopy of a pathogenic dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii revealed planar views of cell structures corresponding to those described already on thin sections. In addition to the characteristic differences in cell wall thickness between conidia, yeast forms and filaments, variations in plasma membrane invaginations were found. In conidia the invaginations were short and abundant, while in yeast forms they were scarce and longer. The plasma membrane of the filaments was smooth without invaginations. No differences were found in the frequency of intramembrane particles among the three forms. In the region of the septal pore the particles were circularly arranged with a characteristic partitioning on the P and E fracture faces.