Elastase activity of fungi with anamorphs similar to Coccidioides immitis

The elastin digestion assay was examined to determine if it would facilitate the identification of Coccidioides immitis when non-pathogenic fungi resembling C. immitis are encountered. Fungal isolants tested have anamorphs that closely resemble the macroscopic or microscopic morphology of C. immitis. Elastin hydrolysis was measured by elastin-agar plate assays. Approximately 80% of the isolants hydrolyzed elastin; thus, the elastin digestion assay as a differential test appears to have little value.