Mycotic encephalitis in weanling rats.

An outbreak of mycotic encephalitis occurred in rats 15-31 da old. Eight of 170 rats born within a 2-wk period had histologically proven mycotic encephalitis with the characteristics of phycomycosis (mucormycosis). No mycotic lesions were seen in the lungs or organs other than the brain.     

Mycotic keratitis caused by Curvularia brachyspora (Boedjin)

Curvularia brachyspora has been identified for the first time as a cause of mycotic keratitis. Mycotic infections of the eye have assumed increasing importance in ophthalmology, resulting in a need for fungal identification and early specific treatment for the successful management of cases. A case of mycotic keratitis caused by C. brachyspora is described against the background of other Curvularia species causing mycoses.     

Diagnostic and clinical characteristics of mycotic vaginitis caused by Candida glabrata (Torulopsis glabrata)

In this study an evaluation of frequency of occurrence of C. glabrata, its diagnosis, sensitivity to antifungal drugs and its significance in pathogenesis of mycotic vaginosis was performed. Strains belonging to C. glabrata genus constituted 12.1% of total of 852 isolated strains and 39.2% of strains other than C. albicans. During fungal vaginosis caused by C. glabrata Lactobacillus sp. was present and normal pH values of vaginal secretion were seen. In direct preparations single or few leukocytes were observed and usually numerous blastospores were present. During evaluation of the sensitivity of C. glabrata strains to antimycotic agents a decreased sensitivity of these strains to clotrimazole and ketoconazole was found what speaks for their low usefulness in the treatment of mycotic vaginosis. Significance of C. glabrata in pathogenesis of mycotic vaginosis is not questioned since release of complaints and clinical symptoms in patients with positive therapeutic effect is seen and their persistence in a group of patients with treatment failure.     

Etiology and clinical characteristics of mycotic leukonychia

The purpose of the present paper is to add to our understanding of the prevalence of mycotic leukonychia. Twenty patients with mycotic leukonychia were studied. Leukonychia with atypical characteristics not previously described or with discordant characteristics relative to the ones that were responsible of this infection were found. Direct microscopic examination and cultures showed that Fusarium spp. were the responsible agents in 10% of the cases and that dermatophytes were implicated in the other 90%, where Trichophyton rubrum was the predominant etiologic agent.In this report we describe the clinical characteristics of the nail infections, the probable predisposing causes of the disease and the evolution of the cases.     

Imidazoles in the treatment of ocular mycoses

The use of a new class of broad spectrum antifungal drugs i.e. imidazoles and in particular ketoconazole in treatment of severe affections of the eye such as mycoses is described. The clinical trials included 40 patients with various forms of mycosis: mycotic canaliculitis (6 patients), mycotic blepharitis (4 patients), mycotic conjunctivitis (7 patients), keratomycosis (17 patients) and mycotic endophthalmitis (6 patients). Ketoconazole was used in the form of tablets and instillations. The combined treatment included nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs and antibacterial agents. The clinical trials showed that ketoconazole had pronounced antifungal activity and was rather efficient in treatment of ocular mycoses. Its broad spectrum and low toxicity were recorded.     

Mycotic morbidity — An occupational risk for mycologists

Classical mycologists may be at a greater risk for infection with organisms under investigation than medical mycologists. The methods of infection of human beings by systemic mycotic pathogens is known. These principles can be used to develop good laboratory practices for classical mycological investigators. Newly recognized fungal pathogens and a more susceptible population may cause more laboratory infections. Minimal safety practices to prevent mycotic morbidity are described.     

Recent advances on mycotic keratitis caused by dematiaceous hyphomycetes

Dematiaceous hyphomycetes (DH) are darkly pigmented fungi ubiquitously found all over the world as plant pathogens and saprophytes, and many of the members of this group have emerged as opportunistic pathogens. These fungi are responsible for a wide variety of infections including mycotic keratitis, which is considered as one of the major causes of corneal blindness, particularly in tropical and subtropical countries with an annual global burden of about 1 000 000 patients. The infection is more common in workers working in an outdoor environment. Moreover, trauma is found to be the most important predisposing cause of mycotic keratitis. Considerable delay in diagnosis and scarcity of effective pharmacological drugs are the major factors responsible for increased morbidity and visual impairment. Considering the crucial role of DH in mycotic keratitis, in the present review, we have focused on major DH with special emphasis on their pathogenicity, diagnosis and treatment strategies.     

Actinomycotic mycetoma due to Streptomyces somaliensis: report of a case in South Africa.

The etiology of mycetomas due to aerobic actinomycetes in southern Africa is still not well understood. Martin and Berson (1973) have suggested that trauma plays an important initial part in this and several other subcutaneous mycotic infections but adequate documentation is often sadly lacking. The following case report is the first known for southern Africa in which Streptomyces somaliensis has been shown by culture and by histology to be the casual organism, and one of the few where the history is well known.     

Implications of bacterial,viral and mycotic microorganisms in vultures for wildlife conservation,ecosystem services and public health

The effects that microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi) have on their hosts remain unexplored for most vulture species. This is especially relevant for vultures, as their diet consists of carcasses in various stages of decomposition, which are breeding grounds for potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Here we review current knowledge of bacterial, viral and mycotic microorganisms present in wild vultures. We consider their potential to cause disease in vultures and whether this poses any population-level threats. Furthermore, we address the question of whether vultures may act as disease spreaders or mitigators. We found 76 articles concerning bacterial, viral and mycotic microorganisms present in 13 vulture species, 57 evaluating bacteria, 13 evaluating viruses and six evaluating mycotic microorganisms. These studies come from all continents where vultures are present, but mainly from Europe and North America, and the most studied species was the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus. We found that vultures are colonized by zoonotic pathogens, and even host-specific human pathogens. Some recorded bacteria showed multi-antibiotic resistance, especially those that can be associated with anthropogenic food subsides such as supplementary feeding stations. We found evidence that vulture health can be affected by some microorganisms, producing a wide array of clinical alterations that have the potential to influence mortality risk and fitness. We did not find clear scientific evidence that vultures play an epidemiological role spreading microorganisms to humans and other species. However, there is evidence that vultures could prevent the spread of infectious diseases through their removal of decomposing organic material. The evaluation of vulture exposure to microorganisms is of fundamental importance to design better conservation policies for this threatened group, which may serve a key role as ecosystem cleaners.     

Mycoflora in cystic fibrosis: Some ecologic aspects of pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans

The mycotic and bacterial flora of 65 patients with cystic fibrosis was studied.C. albicans andP. aeruginosa were present in 33% and 43% of sputa samples, respectively; only 6.5% harbored both organisms. The mycotic flora of the nasopharynx, rectum and skin of the cystic fibrosis patients was similar to that of children with other chronic lung diseases and to that of normal children.In vitro studies clearly revealed inhibition ofC. albicans byP. aeruginosa. It is suggested thatP. aeruginosa, so prevalent with cystic fibrosis, has an inhibitory effect onC. albicans and that this interaction is effective to some extent in preventing candidal infection.Supported in part by Cancer Center Training Grant CA-08480 and Clinical Training Grant CA-08151 from the National Cancer Institute, and by ALSAC.     

Hepatic and subcutaneous abscesses due to aspergillosis. Initial diagnosis of a case by intraoperative fine needle aspiration cytology

Laparotomy of a 64-year-old woman with bleeding caused by a perforated anastomotic peptic gastric ulcer disclosed a mycotic abscess in the lower surface of the left hepatic lobe covering the ulcer. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the abscess produced a clear milky liquid that was positive for Aspergillus fungi by cytology and subsequent microbiologic and cultural studies. Postoperative diffusion of the aspergillosis into the subcutaneous tissue was similarly confirmed by cytology and Sabouraud solid medium culture. This appears to be the first case of disseminated aspergillosis diagnosed by intraoperative FNA cytology; it confirms that FNA cytology is a rapid, sensitive and important tool for the diagnosis of mycotic infections.     

Diagnosis of unsuspected pulmonary cryptococcosis with sputum cytology

This paper describes our experience in the sputum cytology diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis, the clinical diagnosis of which is usually difficult. The cytologic findings are described briefly along with other pertinent supportive data, and the importance of sputum cytology in the diagnosis of this clinically occult mycotic disease is emphasized. The cytologic examination of deep cough samples of sputum in cases with an appropriate clinical setting and pulmonary infiltrates not only can be a rewarding procedure but also can result in the institution of an appropriate line of treatment for the possible prevention of widespread dissemination.     

Superficial mycoses in a southern New Zealand district.

A total of 2,709 pathogenic fungi were isolated from 8,762 patients suspected as having mycotic disease, over an 8 year period in Christchurch, New Zealand. The district is climatically designated as temperate with average mean temperatures of 17 degrees C in summer and 8 degrees C in winter. The predominant species of fungi were relatively small in number with Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitals as the major pathogen. Fungi other than true dermatophytes, particularly Candida spp. and Malassezia furfur, were included to demonstrate the full spectrum of superficial mycoses presenting for diagnosis at the mycology clinic.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Talaromyces indigoticus</Emphasis> Takada &; Udagawa,the First Record for Panama and the American Continent

In a survey of mycotic human skin and nail lesions in Chiriquí, Western Panama, Talaromyces indigoticus was isolated in one case. This ascomycete is characterised by formation of gymnothecia containing oval, spinose and yellow ascospores, which become blue in mounting fluids, and by short monoverticillate or biverticillate penicilli. It is here reported the first time for Panama and the American continent. Because the strain was isolated from an onychomycosis together with a dermatophyte and other fungal strains, the pathological impact of Talaromyces indigoticus is not evident.     

Characterisation and inhibition effect of cetrimide on collagenase produced byAspergillus flavus, isolated from mycotic ulcers

Collagenase was found to be the most important enzyme, produced by mycotic keratitis fungi. Therefore,Aspergillus flavus collagenase enzyme has been purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, Sephadex G25 and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Electrophoretic analysis for the purified enzyme indicated one subunit of molecular weight of 70–90 KDa when examining on SDS-PAGE. Cetrimide (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide) has been tested against the purified collagenase enzyme and indicated reversible competitive inhibitor (kis=0.15 mg/ml) with high promising activity. Cetrimide might be used to inhibit mycotic keratitis fungi.     

North American Blastomycosis in California—Diagnosis of a Case and a Survey with 28 California Observed Cases

North American blastomycosis is not seen often in California. An exhaustive survey uncovered records of only 28 cases. It is believed that this disease does not occur naturally in California and that a careful study of the history will reveal that a residence or visit to a known endemic area can be found.A chart summarizing the results of complement fixation and skin tests for coccidioidomycosis, North American blastomycosis, and histoplasmosis in the 28 cases is included. Use of all three antigens is recommended in cases where there is a difficult diagnostic pulmonary problem, even though there is occasional occurrence of cross-reactions between the three antigens. Finally, an appeal is made to be aware of other mycotic diseases non-edemic to this state.     

Fungal Paronychia. Clinical,Diagnosis and Treatment Aspects

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this study is to recognize and expand the knowledge of mycotic paronychia as a variable clinical condition due to various predisposing factors and multiple fungal organisms.

Recent Findings

Candida-associated mycotic paronychia is common but other non-dermatophyte molds, such as Fusarium, are identified as potential agents of paronychia and onychomycosis.

Summary

Mycotic paronychia is characterized by inflammation of the proximal or lateral nail folds caused by certain fungi. Mycological analysis is necessary to identify the causal agent and prescribe an appropriate treatment. Further studies are needed to know the involved microorganisms in the disease and the pathogenicity factors involved in this localized area of the nail apparatus.

     

Antifungal antibiotics

The search for new drugs against fungal infections is a major challenge to current research in mycotic diseases. The present article reviews the current types of antifungal infections, the current scenario of antifungal antibiotics, and the need and approaches to search for newer antifungal antibiotics and antifungal drug targets.     

120例婴幼儿外耳道炎分泌物细菌培养及药敏分析

目的通过对婴幼儿外耳道分泌物做细菌培养和药物敏感试验,指导临床用药。方法取120例患耳外耳道脓性分泌物,菌株经ATB express自动微生物分析仪进行鉴定和药敏试验。结果 120例菌株中,33例真菌感染,18例细菌和真菌合并感染,69例细菌感染。真菌耐药率不高,葡萄球菌对青霉素和红霉素耐药率接近100%。结论外耳道真菌感染率增高,细菌对抗生素耐药性增强,临床医生应参照药敏试验合理谨慎应用抗生素。     

Deep Cutaneous Neoscytalidium dimidiatum Infection: Successful Outcome with Amphotericin B Therapy

Mycopathologia - Phaeohyphomycosis is a term used to describe a heterogenous group of cutaneous and systemic mycotic infections caused by melanized fungi. Many fungi have been reported as pathogens...