Comparative evaluation of Trichosporon asahii susceptibility using ASTY colorimetric microdilution and CLSI M27‐A2 broth microdilution reference methods

The in vitro activity of AMPH‐B, 5‐FC, FLCZ, MCZ, ITCZ, and VRCZ against 50 isolates of T. asahii was determined using CLSI M27‐A2 microdilution and ASTY colorimetric methods. Observed agreement ranged from 96 to 100% according to the drug. Overall, the agreement between two methods was 97.7%. The ASTY colorimetric method was thus determined to be comparable to the CLSI reference method when testing the susceptibility of T. asahii to a variety of antifungal agents.     

An observation study of airborne pollen fall in Didim (SW Turkey): years 2004–2005

Pollen grains in the atmosphere of Didim, collected using a Durham sampler, were investigated in 2004 and 2005. Weekly pollen grains per square centimetre were calculated. Over a period of 2 years, 17,518 pollen grains/cm² belonging to 40 taxa and unidentified pollen grains were recorded. In 2004, 9,879 pollen grains were counted per cm², and in 2005 the value was 7,639 per cm². The majority of pollen grains investigated were Pinus spp. (45.58%), Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (13.49%), Olea spp. (9.19%), Platanus spp. (7.62%), Gramineae (6.33%), Pistacia spp. (4.34%), Morus spp. (3.81%), Quercus spp. (2.02%), Abies spp. (1.39%), and Plantago spp. (1.11%). During the month of April, 40.46% of total pollen grains were recorded. According to our results, pollen season durations for the dominated pollen grains in Didim were: the 7th–33rd weeks for Pinus spp., nearly the whole year except summer for Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, the 17th–29th weeks for Olea spp., the 10th–24th weeks for Platanus spp., the 8th–46th weeks for Gramineae, the 8th–20th weeks for Pistacia spp., the 11th–21st weeks for Morus spp., the 17th–21st weeks for Quercus spp., the 9th–27th weeks for Abies spp., and the 7th–26th weeks for Plantago spp.     

Adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution on pyrolyzed petrified sediment

The adsorption kinetics of methylene blue on pyrolyzed petrified sediment (PPS) has been performed using a batch-adsorption technique. The effects of various experimental parameters, such as initial dye concentration, contact time, and temperature were investigated. The pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models were used to describe the kinetic data. The best correlation coefficient was obtained using the pseudo first-order kinetic model, which shows that the adsorption of methylene blue followed the pseudo-first-order rate expression and the rate constants were evaluated. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were applied to describe the equilibrium isotherms and the isotherm constants were determined. It was found that the data fitted well to Langmuir and Freundlich models. The activation energy of adsorption was also evaluated for the adsorption of methylene blue onto pyrolyzed sediment. It was found about 8.5 kJ mol(-1). Thermodynamics parameters DeltaG(o), DeltaH(o), DeltaS(o) were calculated, indicating that this process can be spontaneous and endothermic. The adsorption enthalpy and entropy were found as 14-18.5 kJ mol(-1) and 52.8-67 J mol(-1) K(-1), respectively. The results obtained from the adsorption process using PPS as adsorbent was subjected to student's t-test.     

An outbreak of SHV-5 producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a neonatal intensive care unit; meropenem failed to avoid fecal colonization

An outbreak of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-Kp) in a neonatal intensive care unit prompted a prospective surveillance study between 12th September and 6th October 2003. Surveillance was carried out by obtaining stool samples twice a week. The DNA relatedness of the isolates was shown by random amplified polymorphic DNA comparison (ERIC-PCR). ESBL production was identified by clavulanate synergy, isoelectric focusing, PCR and sequence analysis. During the study period, 49 neonates were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In the first 20-day period, five neonates were infected with ESBL-Kp. The first patient treated with third generation cephalosporin and the second patient treated with meropenem died. While all three infected survivors were clinically improving, the digestive tracts were being colonized by SHV-5 producing Klebsiella. In the next period of the study, five neonates were colonized by ESBL-Kp as well. Univariate comparison of risk factors between colonized and non-colonized neonates was not significant. A total of 24 colonally related ESBL-Kp have been recovered from clinical materials and stool samples. This study demonstrated that parenterally applied meropenem, though successful in treating the systemic illness, might fail to protect the digestive tract from colonization of ESBL-Kp.     

Could Candida dubliniensis be involved in lung fungus balls?

We describe a case of cavitary pneumonia due to Candida dubliniensis along with fungemia due to Candida kefyr in a leukemic patient. This is the first case of C. dubliniensis isolated in our laboratory. The identification was performed by phenotypic and molecular methods such as thermotolerance test, carbohydrate fermentation and polymerase chain reaction.     

Maternal and fetal plasma adenosine deaminase, xanthine oxidase and malondialdehyde levels in pre-eclampsia

The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal-fetal plasma adenosine deaminase, xanthine oxidase (ADA, XO) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the relationship between them in pre-eclampsia. Maternal and umbilical cord whole blood samples were taken from 29 pre-eclamptic and 33 normal pregnants. The plasma ADA, XO activities as well as MDA levels were assayed by spectrophotometric methods. MDA levels and ADA, XO activities were found to be higher in maternal and fetal plasma in pre-eclamptics than in normal pregnancy. The differences were statistically significant between groups (p < 0.05). Increased maternal-fetal plasma XO and ADA activities, as a marker of immunological disorder, may be related to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. In addition, increased MDA levels may be a reflection of increased oxidative stress in pre-eclamptics and their fetuses.