Factors affecting spore formation in a Candida albicans strain.

Growth and spore formation of Candida albicans Y-45 was enhanced by low oxygen tension. Mycelium and chlamydospores were abundantly found on rice infusion-Tween 80 agar within 48 to 96 h, and abundant chlamdospore production occurred most rapidly under reduced oxygen tension and incubation at 30 degrees C. Zn, Mg, Mn, anf Fe were tested for their ability to promote filamentation in C. albicans Y-45. Filamentation under conditions of low Mg and high Mn suggested that morphogenesis is possibly correlated with the presence of salts of these heavy metals.