David Gruby
Encyclopedia
David Gruby was a Hungarian physician who was born in the village of Kis-Kér (now Bačko Dobro Polje
, Serbia). He received his doctorate in Vienna
and performed scientific research in Paris
.
Gruby is remembered as a pioneer in the fields of microbiology
and medical mycology
. Most of his important work was done during the 1840s. In 1841 he described the fungus
that causes favus
. This discovery was independent of Johann Lukas Schönlein
's (1793–1864) findings. Today, this fungal parasite is called Achorion
schoenleinii in Schönlein's honor.
In 1842 he described a microscopic cryptogam (trichophyton ectothrix) which causes a dermatological
disease known as sycosis barbae. Gruby also discovered Monilia albicans, the cause of candidiasis
, and in 1843 he described a fungus (Microsporum audouini) that causes a type of ringworm. This fungus was named after naturalist
Jean Victor Audouin (1797–1842), and the disease is sometimes referred to as "Gruby's disease".
Gruby also discovered a parasite in the blood of frogs he called Trypanosoma
sanguinis. During the early years of anaesthesia, he performed important experiments with chloroform
and ether
on animals.
Backo Dobro Polje
Bačko Dobro Polje is a small village in Serbia, in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. It is located in the South Bačka District. Administratively it belongs to the municipality of Vrbas. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 3,929 people . In basic, the village is...
, Serbia). He received his doctorate in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and performed scientific research in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
Gruby is remembered as a pioneer in the fields of microbiology
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
and medical mycology
Pathogenic fungi
Pathogenic fungi are fungi that cause disease in humans or other organisms. The study of pathogenic fungi is referred to as medical mycology. Although fungi are eukaryotic organisms many pathogenic fungi are also microorganisms.-Candida:...
. Most of his important work was done during the 1840s. In 1841 he described the fungus
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
that causes favus
Favus
Favus is a disease usually affecting the scalp, but occurring occasionally on any part of the skin, and even at times on mucous membranes.-Presentation:...
. This discovery was independent of Johann Lukas Schönlein
Johann Lukas Schönlein
Johann Lukas Schönlein was a German naturalist, and professor of medicine, born in Bamberg. He studied medicine at Landshut, Jena, Göttingen, and Würzburg...
's (1793–1864) findings. Today, this fungal parasite is called Achorion
Achorion
Achorion is an obsolete genus of dermatophyte fungus.The species previously belonging to genus Achorion have been moved to other genera. Some notable species include:...
schoenleinii in Schönlein's honor.
In 1842 he described a microscopic cryptogam (trichophyton ectothrix) which causes a dermatological
Dermatology
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....
disease known as sycosis barbae. Gruby also discovered Monilia albicans, the cause of candidiasis
Candidiasis
Thrush redirects here. For the hoof infection see Thrush .Candidiasis or thrush is a fungal infection of any of the Candida species , of which Candida albicans is the most common...
, and in 1843 he described a fungus (Microsporum audouini) that causes a type of ringworm. This fungus was named after naturalist
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
Jean Victor Audouin (1797–1842), and the disease is sometimes referred to as "Gruby's disease".
Gruby also discovered a parasite in the blood of frogs he called Trypanosoma
Trypanosoma
Trypanosoma is a genus of kinetoplastids , a monophyletic group of unicellular parasitic flagellate protozoa. The name is derived from the Greek trypano and soma because of their corkscrew-like motion. All trypanosomes are heteroxenous and are transmitted via a vector...
sanguinis. During the early years of anaesthesia, he performed important experiments with chloroform
Chloroform
Chloroform is an organic compound with formula CHCl3. It is one of the four chloromethanes. The colorless, sweet-smelling, dense liquid is a trihalomethane, and is considered somewhat hazardous...
and ether
Ether
Ethers are a class of organic compounds that contain an ether group — an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups — of general formula R–O–R'. A typical example is the solvent and anesthetic diethyl ether, commonly referred to simply as "ether"...
on animals.
Written works
- Mémoire sur une vegétation qui constitue la vraie teigne. (discovery & description of the achorion of favus)
- Recherches anatomiques sun une plante cryptogame qui constitue le vrai muguet des enfants (discussion of albidans in thrush)
- Sur une espèce de mentagre contagieuse résultant du développement d'un nouveau cryptogame dans la racine des poils de la barbe de l'homme. (description of TrichophytonTrichophytonThe fungus genus Trichophyton is characterized by the development of both smooth-walled macro- and microconidia. Macroconidia are mostly borne laterally directly on the hyphae or on short pedicels, and are thin- or thick-walled, clavate to fusiform, and range from 4 to 8 by 8 to 50 um in size....
mentagrophytes, the cause of sycosis barbae) - Recherches sur la nature, le siège et le développement du Porrigo decalvans ou phytoalopécie (concerning the study of Microsporon audouini)
- Recherches sur les cryptogames qui constituent la maladie contagieuse du cuir chevelu sous le nom de Teigne (Trichophyton tonsuransTrichophyton tonsuransTrichophyton tonsurans is a species of fungus in the Arthrodermataceae family. It is a common cause of tinea capitis in the United Kingdom....
, in ringworm of the scalp).
External links
- David Gruby @ Who Named ItWho Named ItWho Named It? is an English-language dictionary of medical eponyms and the people associated with their identification. Though this is a dictionary, many eponyms and persons are presented in extensive articles with comprehensive bibliographies. It is hosted in Norway and maintained by medical...