Traitement de la moniliase vaginale gravidique par un nouvel antifongique biologique: la pimaricine

Pregnancy creates conditions which favour the development and persistence of candidiasis (moniliasis). The resultant vaginitis is often refractory to treatment. A new fungicidal antibiotic, pimaricine (Pimafucine), was studied in 91 women with vaginal moniliasis, all of whom were pregnant. Fifty-six (63%) were cured on the basis of negative cultures and 28 became symptomfree in spite of positive cultures. In this series, 94.3% benefited from treatment.     

Diagnosis of Gonorrhoea in Women: Comparison of Sampling Sites

A total of 250 women, 100 of them named contacts of men with gonorrhoea, were tested for infection. Each had prepared smear and culture specimens from urethra, endocervix, and vagina. The smears were Gram-stained and examined immediately. Cultures were taken using Stuart''s transport medium with later inoculation of both selective and non-selective media for each specimen.It was shown that examination of specimens from urethra and endocervix gave results superior to those found on examination of vaginal material alone. The study revealed that nearly one infected woman in three would have been missed if vaginal material only had been examined. Failure to secure a prompt scientific diagnosis has serious epidemiological implications.Our results find support in the work of others. We conclude that the suggestion in some quarters that examination of vaginal material for the detection of gonococci is adequate should be abandoned. Any who feel unwilling to accept this view should at least supplement their testing with examination of urethral and endocervical specimens.     

The beneficial effect of Indonesian propolis wax from Tetragonula sp. as a therapy in limited vaginal candidiasis patients

Vaginal candidiasis characterized by abnormal vaginal discharge and itching usually treated by azole’s drug or nystatin; however, some results of treatment are unsatisfied and become recurrent. Propolis containing polyphenols and flavonoids is known to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. This study investigated the effect of Indonesian propolis wax from Tetragonula sp. as a therapy in limited vaginal candidiasis patients. The subjects were women who came to the Tasik Community Health Centre met the inclusion criteria such as clinical complaint and laboratory evaluation (positive hyphae/pseudohyphae and culture on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium) from a vaginal swab. Evaluation of anti-candida effect of propolis was determined by clinical remission and the absence of Candida’s growth on SDA medium. Forty subjects were randomly assigned to those receiving treatment by ovule propolis (n = 20) and that treatment by nystatin (n = 20) as a control, once daily, for seven days, respectively. All methods have been approved by the Ethics Commission of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia. Our results indicated no significant difference in the laboratory evaluation of patients who have treated ovule propolis compared to standard therapy. This study suggests that propolis wax has a beneficial effect to develop as an anti-candida agent for vaginal candidiasis therapy.     

Prevalence and Comparison of Diagnostic Methods for Trichomonas vaginalis Infection in Pregnant Women in Argentina

The objectives of this study were to conduct a prevalence survey of trichomoniasis in pregnant women and to evaluate the utility of different methods for its diagnosis. A total of 597 vaginal exudates from pregnant women who were examined at the Hospital de Clinicas in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 1 August 2005 to 31 January 2007, were prospectively and consecutively evaluated. The investigation of Trichomonas vaginalis was made by different microscopic examinations, and culture on liquid medium. The sensitivity and specificity of the microscopic examinations were assessed considering culture on liquid medium as the "gold standard". The prevalence of T. vaginalis obtained by culture on liquid medium was 4.0% (24/597). The prevalence of T. vaginalis obtained by direct wet smear, prolonged May-Grunwald Giemsa staining, and sodium acetate-formalin (SAF)/methylene blue staining-fixing technique was 1.8%, 2.3% and 2.5%, respectively. The sensitivity of the direct wet smear was 45.8%, that of the prolonged May-Grunwald Giemsa staining was 58.3%, and that of the SAF/methylene blue method was 62.5%. Considering the 3 microscopic examinations altogether, the sensitivity rose to 66.7% and the specificity was 100% for all of them. This is the first time that the prevalence data of T. vaginalis by culture in pregnant women are published in Argentina. Due to the low sensitivity obtained by microscopy in asymptomatic pregnant women, the use of the liquid medium is recommended during pregnancy, in order to provide an early diagnosis and treatment.     

A polymerase chain reaction for detection of Brucella canis in vaginal swabs of naturally infected bitches

A PCR assay for the detection of Brucella canis in canine vaginal swab samples was evaluated, comparing its performance with that of bacterial isolation, serological tests, and a blood PCR assay. One hundred and forty-four female dogs were clinically examined to detect reproductive problems and they were tested by the rapid slide agglutination test, with and without 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME-RSAT and RSAT, respectively). In addition, microbiological culture and PCR were performed on blood and vaginal swab samples. The results of the vaginal swab PCR were compared to those of the other tests using the Kappa coefficient and McNemar test. Of the 144 females that were examined, 66 (45.8%) were RSAT positive, 23 (15.9%) were 2ME-RSAT positive, 49 (34.02%) were blood culture positive, 6 (4.1%) were vaginal swab culture positive, 54 (37.5%) were blood PCR positive, 52 (36.2%) were vaginal swab PCR positive, and 50.69% (73/144) were positive by the combined PCR. The PCR was able to detect as few as 3.8 fg of B. canis DNA experimentally diluted in 54 ng of canine DNA, extracted from vaginal swab samples of non-infected bitches. In addition, the PCR assay amplified B. canis genetic sequences from vaginal swab samples containing 1.0 x 10(0) cfu/mL. In conclusion, vaginal swab PCR was a good candidate as a confirmatory test for brucellosis diagnosis in bitches suspected to be infected, especially those negative on blood culture or blood PCR; these animals may be important reservoirs of infection and could complicate attempts to eradicate the disease in confined populations.     

Genital Yeast Infections

Genital yeast infection was studied in 533 women seen in a department of venereology. Yeasts were recovered in culture from 138 patients (26% of the total). Candida albicans accounted for 112 (81%) of the isolates and Torulopsis glabrata for 22 (16%); other yeasts were uncommon. There was no evidence that the presence of yeasts was related to age. 32% of the women who were taking an oral contraceptive harboured yeasts, compared with 18% of those who were not.The symptoms and signs of the women with yeast infections were compared with those with vaginal trichomoniasis and those with no evidence of genital infection. It seems that a clinical diagnosis of vaginal mycosis cannot be made with accuracy and that positive identification of yeasts is necessary; for this, cultural methods are the most satisfactory.     

Diagnosis of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women based on mailed samples obtained at home: multipractice comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare urine and vaginal flush samples collected by women at home with endocervical and urethral swabs obtained by general practitioners for their efficacy in the diagnosis of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection. DESIGN: Multipractice comparative study. SETTING: 33 general practices and a central department of clinical microbiology in Aarhus County, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 222 women aged 18-25 years who for any reason had a gynaecological examination. INTERVENTIONS: Endocervical and urethral swabs were obtained by the women''s general practitioners. The same women when at home then collected a first void urine sample, a midstream urine sample, and a vaginal flush sample (using a vaginal pipette) and mailed them to the laboratory. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: C trachomatis defected by the polymerase chain reaction and the ligase chain reaction. Eight tests for C trachomatis were performed for every woman. When two of the eight yielded positive results the patient was considered infected. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of C trachomatis infection was 11.2% (23/205 women). Test sensitivities in samples obtained by general practitioners, samples obtained at home subjected to polymerase chain reaction, and samples obtained at home subjected to ligase chain reaction were 91%, 96%, and 100% respectively. The corresponding specificities were 100%, 92.9%, and 99.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic efficacy of samples obtained by women at home and mailed to the laboratory was as good as for samples obtained by a general practitioner when using the ligase chain reaction. This may have important implications for the practicability of screening for this common, often asymptomatic, and treatable infection.     

The First Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from Eucalyptus Trees in South Aegean and Mediterranean Regions of Anatolia in Turkey despite Taurus Mountains alkalinity

Between April 2001 and April 2002 were studied 106 women with a clinical diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis seen at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Ambulatory of the Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Goiás. The patients were assessed on two occasions, before starting treatment with itraconazole or fluconazole (initial visit) and 14 days after treatment (return). At two visits the signs and symptoms were recorded and vaginal secretion was collected. According to the clinical evaluation, itraconazole was effective in 64.3%, while fluconazole was effective in 71.0% of the patients. The mycological cure rates (negative culture) in the return were 64.3% for the patients treated with itraconazole and 78.9% for the patients treated with fluconazole. The MICs of itraconazole and fluconazole for 80 Candida isolates were determined by Etest method. We investigated the correlation between in vitro susceptibility (Susceptible, Susceptibility Depending Dose and Resistant) to itraconazole and fluconazole with clinical outcome of the patients. The success rates were 63.9% for itraconazole and 90.6% for fluconazole in the susceptible category, 100.0% for both drugs in the susceptible dose dependent category, and 0.0% for both drugs in the resistant category. Our results showed there were a positive correlation between in vitro susceptibility test results with clinical outcome in vaginal Candida infections and that both drugs might be one choice in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.     

细菌性阴道病的优势菌群半定量培养分析

目的探讨临床适用的菌群培养方法,用于检测分析细菌性阴道病患者阴道优势菌群,以更好地指导临床诊治。方法采集32例细菌性阴道病（BV）患者的阴道分泌物标本,在不同气体环境中用非选择性、半定量方法做细菌培养,比较培养结果,分析患者阴道优势菌群。结果在厌氧环境中培养时菌落数量最多,检出的优势菌共15种,每份标本的优势细菌种类多数为2种（20/32）,少数为3种（3/32）;而在微需氧及需氧环境中检出的主要菌分别为8种及5种。结论非选择性半定量、厌氧培养的方法可有效、简便地了解BV阴道优势菌群的构成,可用于临床对BV菌群的检测分析研究。     

胎盘早剥86 例的临床表征与病因分析

目的:分析胎盘早剥漏诊、误诊原因,提高早期确诊率,降低母儿并发症。方法:回顾性分析我院10年内胎盘早剥患者的临床资料,分析比较胎盘早剥漏诊与误诊原因。结果:过去十年内我院共检测出胎盘早剥86例,发生率为0.46%,该类孕妇临床表现主要为腰腹胀或腹痛、阴道流血、血性羊水。其中,急诊入院患者占(61.6%),有明确诱因39例,占45.3%,且以妊娠期高血压疾病、胎膜早破、外伤性因素为主。B超检出率62.8%。轻型胎盘早剥45例(52.3%),重型胎盘早剥41例(47.7%),出现症状到就诊及处理时间重型胎盘早剥均长于轻型胎盘组P<0.01。剖宫产分娩60例(69.8%),阴道分娩26例(30.2%)。结论:临床发病到临床处理时间是影响胎盘早剥轻重程度的重要因素;胎盘早剥临床表现易与早产、先兆临产或胎儿窘迫等混淆;后壁胎盘发生胎盘早剥时,超声容易漏诊。     

A clinical approach to determine false positive findings of clinical endometritis by vaginoscopy by the use of uterine bacteriology and cytology in dairy cows

Clinical endometritis in dairy cows is defined as mucopurulent or purulent vulvar discharge 21 days or more after parturition. The diagnosis of clinical endometritis is commonly based on vaginal examination. Techniques to reduce the proportions of false negative findings have been described. This paper discusses a clinical approach to determine the proportion of false positive findings that might occur by vaginal inspection. The consequences of false positive findings in dairy practice are unnecessary or inadequate treatments. In research, incorrect diagnoses have an impact on the interpretation of studies on the diagnosis and treatment of clinical endometritis. The objective of the present study was to compare intrauterine bacteriology and endometrial cytology in cows diagnosed with clinical endometritis with findings obtained by vaginoscopy. Clinical endometritis was defined as mucopurulent or purulent vulvar discharge. On two commercial dairy farms, cows were examined 21 to 28 d postpartum. Uterine samples (n = 230) were collected from cows with clinical endometritis with the cytobrush technique to determine the proportion of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and to culture smears for aerobic bacteria. Two threshold values for the proportion of PMN (5 and 18%) were chosen as possible indicators for an inflamed endometrium. Common uterine pathogens A. pyogenes and E. coli were found in 33.5 and 10.4% of the samples, respectively. With increasing vaginal discharge score, proportion of samples positive for A. pyogenes increased significantly. The proportion of cows exceeding the thresholds for PMN increased with vaginal discharge score and the presence of A. pyogenes.Considering only the presence of aerobic uterine pathogens and a proportion of PMN above the threshold values of 5 and 18% as indicative for endometritis, a proportion of 17.3 and 28.5%, respectively, of diagnoses by vaginoscopy were false positive.     

A polymerase chain reaction for detection of Brucella canis in vaginal swabs of naturally infected bitches

A PCR assay for the detection of Brucella canis in canine vaginal swab samples was evaluated, comparing its performance with that of bacterial isolation, serological tests, and a blood PCR assay. One hundred and forty-four female dogs were clinically examined to detect reproductive problems and they were tested by the rapid slide agglutination test, with and without 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME-RSAT and RSAT, respectively). In addition, microbiological culture and PCR were performed on blood and vaginal swab samples. The results of the vaginal swab PCR were compared to those of the other tests using the Kappa coefficient and McNemar test. Of the 144 females that were examined, 66 (45.8%) were RSAT positive, 23 (15.9%) were 2ME-RSAT positive, 49 (34.02%) were blood culture positive, 6 (4.1%) were vaginal swab culture positive, 54 (37.5%) were blood PCR positive, 52 (36.2%) were vaginal swab PCR positive, and 50.69% (73/144) were positive by the combined PCR. The PCR was able to detect as few as 3.8 fg of B. canis DNA experimentally diluted in 54 ng of canine DNA, extracted from vaginal swab samples of non-infected bitches. In addition, the PCR assay amplified B. canis genetic sequences from vaginal swab samples containing 1.0 × 10⁰ cfu/mL. In conclusion, vaginal swab PCR was a good candidate as a confirmatory test for brucellosis diagnosis in bitches suspected to be infected, especially those negative on blood culture or blood PCR; these animals may be important reservoirs of infection and could complicate attempts to eradicate the disease in confined populations.     

Evaluation of a new chromogenic agar medium for isolation and identification of Group B streptococci

AIMS: To evaluate a new chromogenic agar as a screening medium for the isolation of Group B streptococci from high vaginal swabs from pregnant women. METHODS AND RESULTS: The medium was evaluated with 195 high vaginal swabs referred for antenatal screening and compared with blood agar and Granada medium. The new chromogenic medium showed 100% sensitivity for the detection of Group B streptococci, and also showed a positive predictive value of 100%. Granada medium also showed excellent sensitivity and specificity and both media were superior to blood agar. CONCLUSIONS: The new chromogenic medium showed excellent performance for the detection of Group B streptococci from clinical samples. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first chromogenic medium described for the detection of Group B streptococci. The medium offers an effective and convenient alternative to conventional media, currently used in clinical laboratories.     

Effects of Oxyphenbutazone (Tandearil) on Plasma Seromucoids. II. In Postoperative Inflammation

The efficacy of oxyphenbutazone (OPB) in the control of postoperative inflammation was investigated, and previous findings were extended on the rate at which the inflammatory response of plasma seromucoids was significantly modified by this drug. Eighty - five surgical patients (hemorrhoidectomy, 39; vaginal hysterectomy, 23; tonsillectomy, 14; submucosal resection of nasal cavity, 9) were studied by the double-blind method. OPB was administered orally in a daily dosage of 400 mg. with a priming dose on the evening before surgery. Effective control of postsurgical inflammation was achieved in 34 of 46 treated subjects as compared with similar results in eight of 39 controls. Control of postoperative pain was pronounced when OPB was used. One patient developed an urticarial rash. Chemical studies were carried out in 65 surgical patients (39 treated with OPB; 26 controls). In the postoperative phase, mean plasma seromucoid values increased from presurgical levels by 39% in controls and by 13.9% in OPB-treated subjects. Hence, results of this clinical trial clearly demonstrate the usefulness of OPB in the control of postsurgical inflammation. Moreover, results of the chemical studies are in accordance with those previously obtained in animals.     

The application of nanopore targeted sequencing in the diagnosis and antimicrobial treatment guidance of bloodstream infection of febrile neutropenia patients with hematologic disease

Traditional microbiological methodology has limited sensitivity, detection range, and turnaround times in diagnosis of bloodstream infection in Febrile Neutropenia (FN) patients. A more rapid and sensitive detection technology is urgently needed. Here we used the newly developed Nanapore targeted sequencing (NTS) to diagnose the pathogens in blood samples. The diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity and turnaround time) of NTS detection of 202 blood samples from FN patients with hematologic disease was evaluated in comparison to blood culture and nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by sanger sequence. The impact of NTS results on antibiotic treatment modification, the effectivity and mortality of the patients under the guidance of NTS results were assessed. The data showed that NTS had clinical sensitivity of 92.11%, clinical specificity of 78.41% compared with the blood culture and PCR combination. Importantly, the turnaround time for NTS was <24 h for all specimens, and the pre-report time within 6 h in emergency cases was possible in clinical practice. Among 118 NTS positive patients, 98.3% patients' antibiotic regimens were guided according to NTS results. There was no significant difference in effectivity and mortality rate between Antibiotic regimen switched according to NTS group and Antibiotic regimen covering pathogens detected by NTS group. Therefore, NTS could yield a higher sensitivity, specificity and shorter turnaround time for broad-spectrum pathogens identification in blood samples detection compared with traditional tests. It's also a good guidance in clinical targeted antibiotic treatment for FN patients with hematologic disease, thereby emerging as a promising technology for detecting infectious disease.     

阴道超声与宫腔镜诊断对围绝经期女性异常子宫出血病因的研究对比

目的:研究阴道超声与宫腔镜诊断对围绝经期女性异常子宫出血(Abnormal uterine bleeding,AUB)病因的对比。方法:从2012年3月到2013年3月,我院共有123例围绝经期AUB患者需行手术治疗。全部患者均于术前实施阴道超声检查及宫腔镜检查,分别归入阴道超声组及宫腔镜组,并于术后常规实施病理确诊,并将所得结果作为金标准分别对比。结果:根据术后的病理检查,最终确定患者子宫内膜为正常者4例,内膜增生44例,内膜息肉29例,黏膜下肌瘤26例,内膜癌20例。宫腔镜组在内膜增生及内膜息肉方面的诊断结果与病理检查结果最为接近,诊断结果显著优于阴道超声组,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。但两组在正常内膜、黏膜下肌瘤以及内膜癌等方面的诊断结果对比,差异均无统计学意义(均P0.05)。宫腔镜组与病理检查的符合率在黏膜下肌瘤及内膜癌方面较阴道超声组与病理检查结果的符合率更高,但差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。尤其是关于内膜增生和内膜息肉的符合率,宫腔镜组显著高于阴道超声组,差异有统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论:宫腔镜诊断方案对于围绝经期女性AUB患者的诊断结果更接近于病理结果,但临床在一定条件可与阴道超声联用,以期进一步提升诊断符合率。值得临床推荐。     

Effects of extracellular calcium concentration on protein synthesis in Aedes albopictus cells

The influence of extracellular calcium concentration on mosquito cells was investigated in Aedes albopictus cells cultured in a medium with different amounts of calcium. Protein synthesis in cells incubated in low calcium culture medium was inhibited when compared to control cells. This inhibition was reversed by addition of calcium to the culture medium. Two calcium-induced proteins of approximately 70,000 and 80,000 daltons were detected when calcium was added to the extracellular medium of cells incubated in low calcium medium for longer than 2 h. Northern-blot analysis indicated that Hsp70 (heat shock protein of 70,000 dalton) specific mRNA is present in cells that were cultured in low calcium medium suggesting that the 70,000 dalton protein is a member of the Hsp70 family. Our results indicate that extracellular calcium concentration can modify the gene expression pattern in A. albopictus cells and the absence of calcium in the culture medium could be considered a stress factor. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 39:47–54, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effect of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus bacteria and their exudates on Moniliophthora roreri

Frosty pod rot or moniliasis is a very destructive disease of cocoa plantations in Latin America. The conventional methods to control this disease such as the use of chemical pesticides have failed or are too expensive for smallholders. Nowadays, biological alternatives are being investigated to improve yields and to keep moniliasis controlled. Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus bacteria and their exudates were evaluated against Moniliophthora roreri. All bacteria demonstrated antifungal action reaching up to 97% after 13 days of exposure, whereas some exudates demonstrated more than 70%. Moniliophthora roreri did not sporulate in bacteria presence and sporulation was reduced by their exudates in 70%. The bacteria and exudates were compared with a commercial fungicide used by Venezuelan farmers; better performance of the bacteria and exudates was found and the fungicide was unable to control M. roreri. These experiments showed promising results of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus as biocontrol agents for being included in the integrated disease management programmes in Venezuela.     

阴道炎患者乳酸杆菌数量变化与临床的研究

目的探讨阴道炎患者的阴道乳酸杆菌数量的变化,以指导临床治疗。方法用LBS培养基分离乳酸杆菌,观察阴道炎患者乳酸杆菌变化的情况。结果172例阴道炎病例中,乳酸杆菌数量平均数明显减少。结论乳酸杆菌数量的减少、阴道菌群的改变是阴道炎发病的重要原因,重新构建阴道正常菌群是阴道炎治疗的重点。