MedWorm: Candida

Endodontic photoactivated disinfection using a conventional light source: an in vitro and ex vivo study

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:22:28 +0100

Conclusion: Photoactivated disinfection using a conventional light source strongly reduces the number of viable endodontic pathogens in planktonic suspension and in root canals. (Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics)

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A focus on intra-abdominal infections

World Journal of Emergency Surgery — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Complicated intra-abdominal infections are an important cause of morbidity and are frequently associated with poor prognosis, particularly in higher risk patients.Well defined evidence-based recommendations for intra-abdominal infections treatment are partially lacking because of the limited number of randomized-controlled trials.Factors consistently associated with poor outcomes in patients with intra-abdominal infections include increased illness severity, failed source control, inadequate empiric antimicrobial therapy and healthcare-acquired infection.Early prognostic evaluation of complicated intra-abdominal infections is important to select high-risk patients for more aggressive therapeutic procedures.The cornerstones in the management of complicated intra-abdominal infections are bot...

Comparative evaluation of ketoconazole tablet and topical ketoconazole 2% in orabase in treatment of Candida-infected denture stomatitis.

J Contemp Dent Pract — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:00:03 +0100

CONCLUSION: Topical ketoconazole 2% in orabase can be useful in managing denture stomatitis. This topical medication has fewer side effects, whereas systemic administration of ketoconazole tablet is associated with some complications. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The application of topical ketoconazole 2% in orabase ointment can be considered in the treatment of denture stomatitis and has comparable efficacy with the ketoconazole tablet. PMID: 20228983 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J Contemp Dent Pract)

Synthesis and biological activities of new Mannich bases of chlorokojic acid derivatives

Medicinal Chemistry Research — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:51:07 +0100

Abstract A novel series of 6-chloromethyl-3-hydroxy-2-substituted 4H-pyran-4-one derivatives were synthesized and tested for their antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral in vitro properties. In the view of activity results, compounds 8–11 (MIC: 8 μg/ml) were more remarkably active against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Compounds 1–7 were highly active against Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis with MIC value of 8 μg/ml. Compound 9 bearing 3-chlorophenyl moiety was determined to be the most active compound against RNA virus PI-3. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ResearchDOI 10.1007/s00044-010-9338-xAuthors Mutlu Dilsiz Aytemir, Hacettepe University Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy 06100 Sihhiye-A...

Suppression of Water as a Nucleophile in Candida antarctica Lipase B Catalysis.

Chembiochem — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wittrup Larsen M, Zielinska DF, Martinelle M, Hidalgo A, Jensen LJ, Bornscheuer UT, Hult K A water tunnel in Candida antarctica lipase B that provides the active site with substrate water is hypothesized. A small, focused library created in order to prevent water from entering the active site through the tunnel was screened for increased transacylation over hydrolysis activity. A single mutant, S47L, in which the inner part of the tunnel was blocked, catalysed the transacylation of vinyl butyrate to 20 mM butanol 14 times faster than hydrolysis. The single mutant Q46A, which has a more open outer end of the tunnel, showed an increased hydrolysis rate and a decreased hydrolysis to transacylation ratio compared to the wild-type lipase. Mutants with a blocked tunnel could be very...

Acalculous candidal cholecystitis after pediatric transplant

Pediatric Transplantation — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Grosser J, Solomon H, Sotelo-Avila C. Acalculous candidal cholecystitis after pediatric transplant.Pediatr Transplantation 2010 © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: AAC caused by Candida is an uncommon entity usually seen in the critically ill. Here, we present the case of an 18-month-old renal transplant patient who developed candidal AAC during the post-operative period. Previous articles have addressed acalculous cholecystitis secondary to a variety of causes, or addressed a wide variety of Candida infections in the biliary tract, but this is the first discussion of cholecystitis caused by Candida without confounding factors such as biliary calculi or multiple pathogens. After the discussion of our patient's case, we also reviewed the English-language literature regarding candidal AA...

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Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of 1-Aryl-3-phenethylamino-1-propanone Hydrochlorides and 3-Aroyl-4-aryl-1-phenethyl-4-piperidinols

Archiv der Pharmazie — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Mono-Mannich bases, 1-aryl-3-phenethylamino-1-propanone hydrochlorides, 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a, and semi-cyclic mono-Mannich bases, 3-aroyl-4-aryl-1-phenethyl-4-piperidinols, 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, were synthesized by a non-classical Mannich reaction. The aryl part was: C6H5 for 1a, 1b; 4-CH3C6H4 for 2a, 2b; 4-CH3OC6H4 for 3a, 3b; 4-ClC6H4 for 4a, 4b; 4-FC6H4 for 5a, 5b; 4-BrC6H4 for 6a, 6b; 2,4-(Cl)2C6H3 for 7a, 7b; 4-NO2C6H4 for 8a, 8b; and C4H3S(2-yl) i. e., 2-thienyl for 9a, 9b. Piperidinol compounds 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 7b, 8b, and 9b are reported here for the first time. The synthesized compounds were tested against seven types of plant pathogenic fungi and three types of human pathogenic fungi using the agar dilution assay. Itraconazole was tested against Candida...

Effect of Ceftaroline on Normal Human Intestinal Microflora.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Panagiotidis G, Bäckström T, Asker-Hagelberg C, Jandourek A, Weintraub A, Nord CE Ceftaroline is a new broad-spectrum cephalosporin being developed for the treatment of serious bacterial infections including those caused by aerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of administration of ceftaroline on the intestinal flora of healthy subjects. Twelve healthy subjects (6 males and 6 females) 20-41 years of age received ceftaroline 600 mg by intravenous infusion q12h for 7 days. Plasma and faeces were collected for determination of ceftaroline concentration and analysis of faecal flora. Faecal specimens were cultured on non-selective and selective media. Different colony types were counted, isolated i...

Caspofungin Use in Patients with Invasive Candidiasis caused by Common Non-albicans Candida Species: Review of the Caspofungin Database.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Colombo AL, Ngai AL, Bourque M, Bradshaw SK, Strohmaier KM, Taylor AF, Lupinacci RJ, Kartsonis NA Increasing rates of invasive candidiasis caused by non-albicans Candida species have been reported worldwide. Particular concerns have been raised for C. parapsilosis because of reduced in vitro susceptibility to echinocandins. We identified 212 patients with invasive candidiasis due to non-albicans Candida species (>/=5 cases per species) in 5 clinical trials of caspofungin monotherapy from the pharmaceutical Sponsor's (Merck and Co., Inc.) database: 71 C. parapsilosis, 65 C. tropicalis, 54 C. glabrata, 10 C. krusei, 9 C. guilliermondii, and 5 C. lusitaniae; 167 cases caused by C. albicans were also identified. Efficacy was assessed at the end of caspofungin therapy. Success (...

Anti-fungal activity of neem and jurema-preta on samples of isolated Candida spp of cows with subclinical mastitis in the State of Pernambuco

Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:10:30 +0100

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade anti-fungica (in vitro) do neem (Azadiracta indica A. Juss.) e de jurema preta (Mimosa tenuiflora (Wild) Poir.) sobre cepas de Candida spp. isoladas de casos de mastite subclínica em vacas no Estado de Pernambuco. As folhas do neem foram coletadas em árvores de fazendas do município de Patos-PB e a casca da jurema-preta foi coletada na UFCG, Campus de Patos e preparados extratos etanólicos. As amostras de Candida spp. foram coletadas de leite de vacas com mastite subclínica e semeadas em placas de Petri contendo ágar-base acrescido de 5% de sangue desfibrinado de ovino Sabouraud. As placas foram incubadas em estufa bacteriológica a 37 ºC e a leitura foi realizada com 24 e 48 h. Os ensaios foram realizados em duplicata e o resultado fi...

Demonstration and utility of clustered pseudohyphae on Gram-stained smears from Candida albicans-positive blood cultures

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:32:53 +0100

Abstract: The presence of clustered and branched pseudohyphae was investigated on Gram-stained smears of 78 consecutive yeast-positive blood cultures. The accuracy of the method was 96.1%, with a positive predictive value of 96.6% for Candida albicans. These findings demonstrate that the presence of clustered and branched pseudohyphae on Gram stain may be used for the rapid and presumptive identification of C. albicans from yeast-positive blood culture bottles. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)

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Screening for amino acid substitutions in the Candida albicans Erg11 protein of azole-susceptible and azole-resistant clinical isolates: new substitutions and a review of the literature

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:32:51 +0100

In this study, we investigated the antifungal susceptibility to fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole of 73 clinical isolates of Candida albicans. Screening for amino acid substitutions in Erg11 was performed on each of the 73 isolates. Twenty isolates displayed a marked decrease in azole susceptibility. Amino acid substitutions were detected in more than two-thirds of the strains. In all, 23 distinct substitutions were identified. Four have not been described previously, among which N136Y and Y447H are suspected to be involved in azole resistance. We suggest that the high genetic polymorphism of ERG11 must be considered in the rationale design of new azole compounds targeting lanosterol 14α-demethylase. A review of all Erg11 amino acid polymorphisms described to date is given. (Sou...

Fungicidal activity of miconazole against Candida spp. biofilms

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:27:27 +0100

Conclusions ROS levels increased in all Candida biofilms upon addition of miconazole. However, ROS induction was not the only factor that underlies its fungicidal activity, as quenching of ROS did not lead to an enhanced survival of biofilm cells. ROS-induced apoptosis was not observed in C. albicans cells after miconazole treatment. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

Chapter 8 - Fungal infections in immunocompromised patients

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:34:44 +0100

As complicações pulmonares se constituem na maior causa de morbidade e mortalidade no hospedeiro imunocomprometido, devido à deficiência nos mecanismos básicos de defesa. Independente da causa da imunodepressão, infecções bacterianas, virais e fúngicas são as mais frequentes. Entre as infecções fúngicas, a aspergilose é a mais comum (incidência de 1-9% e mortalidade de 55-92%) nos diferentes tipos de transplantados. Embora a forma pneumônica seja a mais frequente, lesões do sistema nervoso central e sinusite não são raras. O sinal do halo em TC de tórax representa uma área de baixa atenuação em volta do nódulo, revelando edema ou hemorragia. O padrão ouro para o diagnóstico é a identificação do fungo por cultura de escarro, amostras de LBA ou biópsia. Na falta...

Yeasts associated with nectarines and their potential for biological control of brown rot

Yeast — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Resident fruit microflora has been the source of biocontrol agents for the control of postharvest decay of fruits and the active ingredient in commercialized biocontrol products. With the exception of grapes and apples, information on the resident microflora of other fruits is only fragmentary, but greater knowledge in this area can be very helpful in developing biocontrol strategies. We characterized the yeast microflora of nectarines ('Croce del Sud') from the early stages of fruit development until harvest. The fruit samples were collected from trees in an unmanaged orchard. The resident fruit microflora was separated from the occasionally deposited microorganisms by discarding initial fruit washings before the final wash, followed by sonication and plating on NYDA medium. The isolated ...

Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC) for triclosan to terrestrial species (invertebrates and plants).

Environment International — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Amorim MJ, Oliveira E, Soares AM, Scott-Fordsmand JJ Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial agent which is used as a broad-spectrum bacteriostatic and found in personal care products, and due to this it is spread in the environment. Aquatic toxicity studies have been reported, but little data is available for its toxicity to terrestrial organisms. The main purpose of this study was to assess the toxicity of TCS in the terrestrial environment, using a battery of soil species, belonging to different taxonomic levels. The species included the invertebrates Eisenia andrei, Enchytraeus albidus and Folsomia candida and the plants Triticum aestivum (monocotyledonous) and Brassica rapa (dicotyledonous). For the invertebrate species the reproduction EC(10)s were 0.6 (E. andrei), 2 (E. alb...

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Synthesis of new series of pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-7-ones and pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ones for their bacterial and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) inhibitory activities

Medicinal Chemistry Research — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:26:10 +0100

Abstract Two series of pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-7-ones and pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ones were designed, synthesised, and evaluated for their antibacterial activities and CDKs inhibitory activities. The pyridazine derivative: 6-phenyl-5-phenylhydrazono-2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyridazine-3,4-dione (3a) revealed activity against Staphylococcus aureus as Gram-positive bacteria while compound 2-(2-Ethoxyphenyl-5-Phenylpiperazinosulfonamido)-3H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one (13c) was showing moderate antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ResearchDOI 10.1007/s00044-010-9328-zAuthors Detlef Geffken, University of Hamburg Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy Hamburg GermanyRaafat Soliman, University of Alexa...

Experimental pathogenicity of Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis with continuous and discontinuous fringes morphotypes

Mycoses — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A possible correlation between the presence of discontinuous fringes and high virulence has been previously suggested. The aim of this study was to compare the pathogenicity of Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis with continuous and discontinuous fringes morphotypes on mice. For C. albicans, two discontinuous fringe morphotype isolates (PN 69, PN 74), two continuous fringe morphotype isolates (N 60, N 33) and one reference strain were used. For C. dubliniensis, three discontinuous fringe morphotype isolates (97487, 97464, 97519), two continuous fringe morphotype isolates (97040, 98026) and one reference strain were used. Swiss male mice were inoculated with a standardised suspension of the microorganisms and observed for 35 days. The pathogenicity of the isolates was analysed accordi...

Effect of serum and surface characteristics on Candida albicans biofilm formation

Mycoses — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Candida spp. biofilms can be established on a wide range of materials, including implanted medical devices, and can display a resistant phenotype to antifungal drugs. Several factors, including host and surface properties, may influence the establishment and the development of Candida albicans biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces. We therefore selected a collection of C. albicans clinical isolates to evaluate the effect of surface and serum on biofilm attachment and development. Disc coupons from the CDC biofilm reactor were used in a well plate assay to study biofilm production on six different surfaces with or without the addition of serum: polycarbonate, polystyrene, stainless steel, Teflon, polyvinyl chloride or hydroxyapatite. Our results showed that serum increases in vitro C. alb...

Evaluation of anti-Candida potential of geranium oil constituents against clinical isolates of Candida albicans differentially sensitive to fluconazole: inhibition of growth, dimorphism and sensitization

Mycoses — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Fluconazole (FLC) susceptibility of isolates of Candida spp., (n = 42) and efficacy as well as mechanism of anti-Candida activity of three constituents of geranium oil is evaluated in this study. No fluconazole resistance was observed among the clinical isolates tested, however 22% were susceptible-dose-dependent (S-DD) [minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) [ge]16 [mu]g ml[minus]1] and a standard strain of C. albicans ATCC 10231 was resistant ([ge]64 [mu]g ml[minus]1). Geraniol and geranyl acetate were equally effective, fungicidal at 0.064% v/v concentrations i.e. MICs (561 [mu]g ml[minus]1 and 584 [mu]g ml[minus]1 respectively) and killed 99.9% inoculum within 15 and 30 min of exposures respectively. Citronellol was least effective and fungistatic. C. albicans dimorphism (Y[rarr]H) was...

TOP2 gene disruption reduces drug susceptibility by increasing intracellular ergosterol biosynthesis in Candida albicans.

Journal of Medical Microbiology — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Zheng H, Jiang YY, Wang Y, Jia XM, Yan TH, Gao PH, Yan L, Jiang LH, Ji H, Cao YB The present work investigated the role of TOP2 gene in fungal drug-susceptibility by disrupting and overexpressing the gene in Candida albicans (C. albicans). MIC determination and spot assay test showed that top2Delta/Delta null mutant (T2bc) was more resistant to the antifungals as compared to the wide type (CAI4). Real-time RT-PCR and Rhodamine 6G efflux examination showed that TOP2 did not influence the activity of drug efflux pumps. Sterol analysis with gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HR-MS) indicated that the intracellular ergosterol composition of top2Delta/Delta mutant was significantly increased. Subsequently, fluorescence polarization measurements also revealed t...

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Comparison of Copan eSwab with the Copan Venturi Transystem for the quantitative survival of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae and Candida albicans

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:01:45 +0100

Abstract Swab transport systems should preserve the viability and stability of micro-organisms in clinical specimens throughout transport and storage. eSwab, a nylon-tipped swab in liquid medium, designed for better specimen collection and less micro-organism entrapment, was evaluated for the maintenance of viability and quantitative survival of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae and Candida albicans. The quantitative elution method was used to evaluate eSwab in vitro. In vitro, the recovery of the three micro-organisms was higher in eSwab (97–100%) as compared to the Copan Venturi Transystem (CVT) (86–96%) at room temperature (RT) for time point 0 h and remained similar after 6 h. E. coli and C. albicans proliferated in both transport systems when pres...

Fermentation of mixed glucose-xylose substrates by engineered strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: role of the coenzyme specificity of xylose reductase, and effect of glucose on xylose utilization

Microbial Cell Factories — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Relative improvements in the distribution of fermentation products from xylose that can be directly related to a change in the coenzyme preference of xylose reductase from NADPH in BP000 to NADH in BP10001 increase in response to an increase in the initial concentration of the pentose substrate from 10 to 50 g/L. An inverse relationship between xylose uptake rate and xylitol yield for BP10001 implies that xylitol by-product formation is controlled not only by coenzyme regeneration during two-step oxidoreductive conversion of xylose into xylulose. Although xylose is not detectably utilized at glucose concentrations greater than 4 g/L, the presence of a low residual glucose concentration (< 2 g/L) promotes the uptake of xylose and its conversion into ethanol with only moderate x...

Rheological properties of hyaluronic acid and its effects on salivary enzymes and candida

Oral Diseases — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The viscoelastic properties of HA compared with human saliva were objectively confirmed, indicating a vital role for HA in the development of effective salivary substitutes. (Source: Oral Diseases)

Ectophosphatase activity in Candida albicans influences fungal adhesion: study between HIV-positive and HIV-negative isolates

Oral Diseases — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: These results show that C. albicans from HIV+ has an ectophosphatase activity significantly higher than the other isolates. Yeasts expressing higher levels of surface phosphatase activity showed greater adhesion to epithelial cells. So, the activity of acidic surface phosphatases on these cells may contribute to the early mechanisms required for disease establishment. (Source: Oral Diseases)

What Causes Pharyngitis?

PediatricEducation.org — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:10:32 +0100

Discussion Sore throat caused by group A, beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) is classically characterized as a patient with a constellation of various symptoms including fever, headache, emesis, sore throat, palatal petechiae, abdominal pain, sand-papery skin rash and often with a history of close contact. The rapidity of onset is relatively short but generally not characterized as rapid. Patients with upper respiratory tract symptoms or allergic symptoms including rhinitis, conjunctivitis, voice changes (e.g. raspy, croupy, laryngitic) tend to have viral etiologies for their sore throat. Differentiating between viral pharyngitis and GAS is a common conundrum. Rapid antigen testing and throat cultures assist in making the proper diagnosis, so that nonsupprative complications such as acute ...

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Molecular mapping reveals two independent loci conferring resistance to Albugo candida in the east European germplasm of oilseed mustard Brassica juncea.

TAG. Theoretical and Applied Genetics — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Panjabi-Massand P, Yadava SK, Sharma P, Kaur A, Kumar A, Arumugam N, Sodhi YS, Mukhopadhyay A, Gupta V, Pradhan AK, Pental D White rust caused by Albugo candida (Pers.) Kuntze is a major disease of the oilseed mustard Brassica juncea. Almost all the released varieties of B. juncea in India are highly susceptible to the disease. This causes major yield losses. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify genes for resistance to white rust and transfer these to the existing commercial varieties through marker-assisted breeding. While the germplasm belonging to the Indian gene pool is highly susceptible to the disease, the east European germplasm of B. juncea is highly resistant. In the present study, we have tagged two independent loci governing resistance to A. candida race 2V in...

Early Test For A Killer Of The Sickest

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

An early test for fungal infections that measures how a patient's genes are responding could save the lives of some very sick patients. Researchers at Duke University's Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy have devised an early gene-expression test for the fungal pathogen Candida that worked in mice. It is an entirely new and more rapid way to reveal an infection which occurs in very sick or immunocompromised patients, particularly critical care patients. Candidemia can kill 10-15 percent of critically ill patients within the first 24 hours of infection... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Early Test For A Killer Of The Sickest

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Synthesis, in-vitro Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Studies of Novel Azetidinone Derivatives

Archiv der Pharmazie — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Developing novel antimicrobial drugs is increasingly important in the modern pharmaceutical industry. A series of novel 3-chloro-4-[4-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-1-phenylazetidin-2-ones 5a-o have been synthesized from 4-bromomethylcoumarins 1a-e and 4-aryliminomethyl-phenols 3a-c. These compounds were screened for their in-vitro antibacterial activity against two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin resistant enteroccoccus) and two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Shigella dysentery) bacterial strains and antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, and Penicillium. Results revealed that compounds 5c, 5f, 5h, 5j, and 5m showed excellent activity against a panel of microorganisms. The brine-shrimp bioassay was also carried out to study the...

Repeated exposure of Candida spp. to miconazole demonstrates no development of resistance

Mycoses — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is a common infection among the immuno-compromised population. Treatments include both systemic azoles, most commonly fluconazole (FLU), and topical agents such as miconazole (MICON). However, resistance to FLU has been reported with a greater frequency. The aim of this study was to determine the potential for development of resistance following repeated exposure of Candida spp. to MICON. Two clinical isolates each of Candida albicans, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis were tested. Fifteen passages of each strain were performed in concentrations of MICON at 0.5 minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 1 MIC, 2 MIC and 4 MIC, with MIC determinations performed on growth obtained following each passage. There was no increase in the MIC of four of the six strains fo...

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Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Poly(amine-co-esters) via Copolymerization of Diester with Amino-Substituted Diol.

Biomacromolecules — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Jiang Z Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) was found to be an efficient catalyst for copolymerization of diesters with amino-substituted diols to form poly(amine-co-esters) in one step. The copolymerization reactions were carried out at 50-100 degrees C in two stages: first stage oligomerization under 1 atm pressure of nitrogen followed by second stage polymerization under 1-2 mmHg vacuum. The formed copolymers possessed molecular weight (M(w)) up to 59000 and typical polydispersity (M(w)/M(n)) between 1.5 and 2.3. The enzymatic reaction appears to be quite general and accommodates a large number of comonomer substrates with various chain length and substituents. Thus, C(4)-C(12) diesters (i.e., from succinate to dodecanedioate) and diethanolamine comonomers with either an alk...

Candida andamanensis sp. nov., Candida laemsonensis sp. nov., and Candida ranongensis sp. nov., three anamorphic yeast species isolated from estuarine waters in a mangrove forest in Ranong Province, Thailand.

International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Am-In S, Limtong S, Yongmanitchai W, Jindamorakot S Five strains (RV5, RV140, R31, RS17 and RS28) of three novel anamorphic ascomycetous yeast species were isolated by membrane filtration from estuarine waters collected from a mangrove forest in Laem Son National Park, Ranong Province, Thailand in difference period. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, the sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer region, and the phylogenetic analysis, the three strains were found to represent two novel Candida species. Two strains (RV5 and RV140) represented a single novel species, for which the name Candida laemsonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RV5(T) (BCC 3...

Therapy for fungal diseases: opportunities and priorities.

Trends in Microbiology — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article provides a perspective on the current status of drug therapy for invasive fungal diseases, together with priorities for the future development of novel compounds. Key opportunities for new drugs include production of orally bioavailable agents for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis, invasive candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis and mucosal and urinary Candida infections. Orally bioavailable agents for the treatment of chronic pulmonary and allergic aspergillosis are also required, as well as new potent drugs against a range of medically important moulds. Antifungal resistance is a problem in certain contexts, but is generally less of a problem than bacterial infections. Earlier and more complete mycological diagnosis and improvements in underlying risk estimation will imp...

Early test for a killer of the sickest

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:31:32 +0100

An early test for fungal infections that measures how a patient's genes are responding could save the lives of some very sick patients. Researchers have devised an early gene-expression test for the fungal pathogen Candida that worked in mice. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Chapter 8: Fungal infections in immunocompromised patients

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:48:33 +0100

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Chemogenomic and transcriptome analysis identifies mode of action of the chemosensitizing agent CTBT (7-chlorotetrazolo[5,1-c]benzo[1,2,4]triazine)

BMC Genomics - Latest articles — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: We conclude that CTBT causes intracellular superoxide production and oxidative stress in fungal cells and is thus enhancing antimycotic drug effects drug effects by a secondary stress. (Source: BMC Genomics - Latest articles)

Spectrum and risk factors for invasive candidiasis and non-Candida fungal infections after liver transplantation

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Shi SH, Lu AW, Shen Y, Jia CK, Wang WL, Xie HY, Zhang M, Liang TB, Zheng SS (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

In vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of aminopiperidine derivatives, novel ergosterol synthesis inhibitors.

Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:28:05 +0100

Authors: Hata M, Yoshida K, Ishii C, Otani T, Ando A Aminopiperidine derivatives, Compound 1a and 1b, are novel small molecules that inhibit C-14 reduction catalyzed by Erg24p in ergosterol synthesis of Candida albicans. We evaluated the properties of the in vitro and in vivo activities of these compounds against pathogenic fungi and compared their activities with those of fluconazole. Compound 1a and 1b exhibited potent in vitro activities against clinically important fungi such as Candida species, including both of fluconazole-resistant strains of C. albicans and non-albicans Candida, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Against C. albicans, its mode of action was fungistatic. Furthermore, orally administered Compound 1b clearly prolonged the survival of infected mice ...

Early test for a killer of the sickest

EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Duke University Medical Center) An early test for fungal infections that measures how a patient's genes are responding could save the lives of some very sick patients. Researchers at Duke University's Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy have devised an early gene-expression test for the fungal pathogen Candida that worked in mice. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)

Immune responses of Helicoverpa armigera to different kinds of pathogens

BMC Immunology — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These data suggest that the granulocytes are the major phagocytes in H. armigera. All haemocytes can be infected by AcMNPV. The transcripts of 14 immune related genes have different expression patterns in H. armigera infected by different pathogens, which means that the immune-related genes may have different functions against various kinds of pathogens. (Source: BMC Immunology)

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Increased tumour necrosis factor-α production, higher mannose receptor activity and ability to kill Candida by concanavalin-A-activated macrophages

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In a previous study, our group verified that mice pretreated with concanavalin-A (Con-A) produced more tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-[alpha] and presented greater Candida clearance from the peritoneal cavity, liver and spleen, which yielded a higher survival rate than control animals. In this work, the hypothesis that macrophages were of crucial importance in overcoming the infection was tested. Thus, peritoneal macrophages from mice pretreated for 3 days with Con-A or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were coincubated with CR1, CR15 and 577 isolates of Candida albicans for 0.5, 1 and 2 h. The ability of Con-activated macrophages to produce TNF-[alpha], ingest via mannose receptors and kill all the isolates was significantly greater compared with PBS-treated macrophages, and activated macroph...

Risk factors of invasive Candida and non-Candida fungal infections after liver transplantation

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Patel R, Portela D, Badley AD, Harmsen WS, Larson-Keller JJ, Ilstrup DM, Keating MR, Wiesner RH, Krom RA, Paya CV (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Randomized trial of fluconazole versus nystatin for the prophylaxis of Candida infection following liver transplantation

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Lumbreras C, Cuervas-Mons V, Jara P, del Palacio A, Turrión VS, Barrios C, Moreno E, Noriega AR, Paya CV (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

Longitudinal genotyping of Candida dubliniensis isolates reveals strain maintenance, microevolution and the emergence of itraconazole resistance.

Mol Biol Cell — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, longitudinal genotyping of C. dubliniensis isolates from HIV-infected patients reveals that isolates from the same patient are generally closely related and may undergo microevolution. In addition, isolates may acquire itraconazole resistance, even in the absence of prior azole therapy. PMID: 20200288 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Mol Biol Cell)

The Drosophila PRR GNBP3 assembles effector complexes involved in antifungal defenses independently of its Toll pathway activation function.

European Journal of Immunology — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Matskevich AA, Quintin J, Ferrandon D The Drosophila Toll signalling pathway controls the systemic antifungal host response. Gram-negative binding protein 3 (GNBP3), a member of the â-Glucan recognition protein (âGRP) family, senses fungal infections and activates this pathway. A second detection system perceives the activity of proteolytic fungal virulence factors and redundantly activates Toll. GNBP3(hades) mutant flies succumb more rapidly to Candida albicans and to entomopathogenic fungal infections than wild type (WT) flies, despite normal triggering of the Toll pathway via the virulence detection system. These observations suggest that GNBP3 triggers antifungal defenses that are not dependent on activation of the Toll pathway. Here, we show that GNBP3 agglutina...

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Candida parapsilosis meningitis associated with shunt infection in an adult male

Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:56:25 +0100

We report on a 55-year-old male that was admitted due to altered mental status. He had recent sinus drainage and polypectomy, craniotomy with drainage of brain abscess, and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt placement. On admission, imaging studies showed no evidence of shunt dysfunction but did reveal extensive white matter decreased attenuation. Microscopic examination of the first 10 daily cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures revealed yeast. Flucytosine and liposomal amphotericin B were started and externalization of shunt was performed on day 3. On day 8, CSF culture from admission grew C. parapsilosis; fluconazole was added. On day 10, daily CSF still showed yeast and cultures consistently grew C. parapsilosis. Shunt was removed and bilateral ventriculostomy drains were inserted. CSF after pro...

Role of the Homologous Recombination Genes RAD51 and RAD59 in The Resistance of Candida albicans to UV Light, Radiomimetic and Anti-Tumor Compounds and Oxidizing Agents.

Fungal Genetics and Biology — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: García-Prieto F, Gómez-Raja J, Andaluz E, Calderone R, Larriba G We have cloned and characterized the RAD51 and RAD59 orthologues of the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. CaRad51 exhibited more than 50% identity with several other eukaryotes and the conserved the catalytic domain of a bacterial RecA. As compared to the parental strain, null strains of rad51 exhibited a filamentous morphology, had a decreased grow rate and exhibited a moderate sensitivity to UV light, oxidizing agents, and compounds that cause double-strand breaks (DSB), indicating a role in DNA repair. By comparison, the rad52 null had a higher percentage of filaments, a more severe growth defect and a greater sensitivity to DNA-damaging compounds. Null strains of rad59 showed a UV-sensitive phenot...

Degradation of Parabens by Pseudomonas beteli and Burkholderia latens.

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Amin A, Dare SC, Bansal AK p-Hydroxybenzoic acid esters (parabens) are commonly used antimicrobial preservatives in pharmaceutical formulations. Two microorganisms, isolated from non-sterile methyl paraben (MP) and propyl paraben (PP) solutions, were found to degrade the respective parabens. Identification by 16S rRNA partial gene sequencing revealed them to be Pseudomonas beteli and Burkholderia latens, respectively. The present work describes a previously unreported interaction of the parabens with Pseudomonas beteli and Burkholderia latens. Degradation of MP at various concentrations by Pseudomonas beteli, followed a logarithmic pattern, while that of PP by Burkholderia latens, was found to be linear. It was subsequently observed that Pseudomonas beteli could degrade only M...

Interaction of Candida albicans biofilms with antifungals: transcriptional response and binding of antifungals to beta-glucans.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Vediyappan G, Rossignol T, d'Enfert C Candida albicans can form biofilms that exhibit elevated intrinsic resistance to various antifungal agents, in particular azoles and polyenes. The molecular mechanisms that are involved in the antifungal resistance of biofilms remain poorly understood. We have used transcript profiling to explore the early transcriptional responses of mature C. albicans biofilms exposed to various antifungal agents. Mature C. albicans biofilms grown under continuous flow were exposed for up to 2h to concentrations of Fluconazole (FLU), Amphotericin B (AMB) and caspofungin (CAS) that, while lethal for planktonic cells, were not lethal for biofilms. Interestingly, FLU exposed biofilms did not show any significant changes in gene expression over the course of...

Synergistic Activities of Three Triazoles with Caspofungin against Candida glabrata isolates Determined by Time-Kill, Etest and Disk Diffusion Methods.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kiraz N, Dag I, Yamac M, Kiremitci A, Kasifoglu N, Oz Y The combination of voriconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole with caspofungin was evaluated against 50 Candida glabrata isolates by the time-kill, disk diffusion and Etest methods. The majority of antifungal combinations were indifferent. By the time kill method, synergistic activity was detected at eight (16%) of caspofungin-voriconazole and seven (14%) of caspofungin-fluconazole combinations, but synergy was not seen in caspofungin-itraconazole combination. Further comparisons of the Etest and disk diffusion synergy techniques with the time kill method are warranted. PMID: 20194697 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy)

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Mechanism of the Synergistic Effect of Amiodarone and Fluconazole in Candida albicans.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Gamarra S, Rocha EM, Zhang YQ, Park S, Rao R, Perlin DS The antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone has been found to have fungicidal activity. In S. cerevisiae, its antifungal activity is mediated by calcium overload stress, which leads to a rapid nuclear accumulation of the calcineurin-regulated transcription factor CRZ1. In addition, low doses of amiodarone have been reported to be synergistic with fluconazole in fluconazole-resistant C. albicans. To establish its mechanism of toxicity in C. albicans, we used expression profiling of key pathway genes to examine cellular responses to amiodarone alone and in combination with fluconazole. Gene expression profiling of 59 genes was done in five C. albicans strains (3 fluconazole-susceptible and 2 fluconazole-resistant strains) after amio...

Adhesion of microorganisms to bovine submaxillary mucin coatings: effect of coating deposition conditions.

Biofouling — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:00:13 +0100

Authors: Bushnak IA, Labeed FH, Sear RP, Keddie JL The adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans on mucin coatings was evaluated to explore the feasibility of using the coating to increase the infection resistance of biomaterials. Coatings of bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) were deposited on a base layer consisting of a poly(acrylic acid-b-methyl methacrylate) (PAA-b-PMMA) diblock copolymer. This bi-layer system exploits the mucoadhesive interactions of the PAA block to aid the adhesion of mucin to the substratum, whereas the PMMA block prevents dissolution of the coating in aqueous environments. The thickness of the mucin coating was adjusted by varying the pH of the solution from which it was deposited. Thin mucin coatings decreased the numbers of...

Histopathological study of candidal infection in the central nervous system.

Nippon Ishinkin Gakk... — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 11:52:03 +0100

Authors: Nakayama H, Shibuya K, Kimura M, Ueda M, Iwabuchi S In recent years, incidence of invasive fungal infection has been increasing, mostly due to advances in + medicine that may produce immunocompromised individuals. Candidial infection in the central nervous system (CNS) is one of the most serious forms of blood stream infection of Candida sp. and mortality is known to be more than 50%.In this research, we employed 27 autopsies with confirmed in vasive CNS yeast infection which were confirmed. In addition to detailed morphological analysis of yeast cells in lesions, in situ hybridization was carried out with an originally designed Candida -specific peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe to identify the candidial infection of each patient. This was followed by histopathological investi...

Onychomycosis in iran: epidemiology, causative agents and clinical features.

Nippon Ishinkin Gakk... — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 11:52:03 +0100

Conclusions: The clinico-epidemiological data collected can serve as reference for future research and may be useful in the development of preventive and educational strategies. PMID: 20185868 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Nippon Ishinkin Gakk...)

Therapeutic Effects on Murine Oral Candidiasis by Oral Administration of Cassia ( Cinnamomum cassia ) Preparation.

Nippon Ishinkin Gakk... — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 11:52:03 +0100

We examined the effects of spices and herbs on Candida albicans growth using in vitro assay and therapeutic activity of some selected herbal preparations against murine oral candidiasis. All tested samples: lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus ) ,lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis ) ,thyme ( Thymus vulgaris ) ,rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis) ,roselle ( Hibiscus sabdariffa ) ,green tea ( Camellia sinensis ) ,and cassia ( Cinnamomum cassia ) inhibited Candida mycelial growth in vitro.The results of this assay showed that the anti- Candida activity of lemongrass, green tea, and cassia is stronger than that of the other tested herbs. Oral administration of lemongrass or green tea did not result in significant improvement in the murine oral candidiasis, while the administration of cassia improved ...

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Invasive Candidiasis and the Utility of Antifungal Susceptibility Testing in the ICU

Journal of Pharmacy Practice — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:00:36 +0100

Invasive fungal infections are a major cause of health care–associated morbidity and mortality in the ICU. In particular, Candida spp. are among one of the leading causes of bloodstream infections and sepsis. Advances in antifungal therapy in the last decade have led to many more options in the treatment of fungal infections, yet increasing resistance and clinical failures are common, especially in the management of invasive candidiasis in the ICU. Prompt diagnosis of these infections and appropriate antifungal treatment are imperative for improving survival. Although reliable antifungal susceptibility testing is available to aid in the therapy of fungal infections, testing is not always recommended. This review addresses the epidemiology of Candida infections in the ICU, antifungal ...

Fungal cerebral abscess in a diabetic patient successfully treated with surgery followed by prolonged antifungal therapy.

Revista Iberoamericana de Micologia — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Fungal infections, especially due to Candida species, should be considered in diabetic patients with parenchymal brain abscesses. Radical excision followed by prolonged antifungal therapy based on fluconazole or amphotericin B is necessary to improve the prognosis of this type of patients. PMID: 20189857 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Revista Iberoamericana de Micologia)

Identification of Inhibitors of Drug-Resistant Candida albicans Strains from a Library of Bicyclic Peptidomimetic Compounds

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:26:32 +0100

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 0, Issue 0, Articles ASAP (As Soon As Publishable). (Source: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry)

Serum IgG against Candida predict survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:49:09 +0100

Conclusion Our findings suggest that IgG antibodies directed against yeast fungi and particularly against Candida but not against mold fungi have prognostic relevance. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00262-010-0827-zAuthors Reinhold Ramoner, Innsbruck Medical University Immunotherapy Unit, Department of Urology Innrain 66a 6020 Innsbruck AustriaAndrea Rahm, Innsbruck Medical University Immunotherapy Unit, Department of Urology Innrain 66a 6020 Innsbruck AustriaClaudia E. Falkensammer, Innsbruck Medical University Immunotherapy Unit, Department of Urology Innrain 66a 6020 Innsbruck AustriaNicolai Leonhartsberger, Innsbruck Medical University Immunotherapy Unit, Department of Urology Innrain 66a 6020 Innsbruck AustriaMartin Thurnher, In...

The spectrum of non-Candida fungal infections following bone marrow transplantation

The Aspergillus Website - articles — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Morrison VA, Haake RJ, Weisdorf DJ (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)

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Molecular evolution of the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone family in ecdysozoans

BMC Evolutionary Biology - Latest articles — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Evolutionary scenarios suggest that CHH family genes of ecdysozoans originate from an ancestral two-exon gene, and genes of arthropods from a three-exon one. In malacostracans, the evolution of the CHH family has involved several duplication, insertion or deletion events, leading to neuropeptides with a wide variety of functions, as observed in decapods. This family could thus constitute a promising model to investigate the links between gene duplications and functional divergence. (Source: BMC Evolutionary Biology - Latest articles)

Cytological analysis of the epithelial cells in patients with oral candidiasis

Mycoses — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study revealed that oral mucosa of patients undergoing candidal infection exhibited significant changes in the size and shape of the oral epithelial cells. (Source: Mycoses)

Adherence ability of Candida africana: a comparative study with Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis

Mycoses — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we compared the adherence ability to human Hela cells and biofilm formation of three closely related Candida yeast. In our experiments, Candida africana showed poor adhesion ability to human Hela cells and the absence of biofilm formation on polyvinyl chloride strips. Conversely, Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis formed mature biofilms and stable attachment to Hela cells. To our knowledge, this is the first comparative study reporting data on biofilm formation and adherence to human Hela cells by C. africana. (Source: Mycoses)

Candida glabrata tryptophan-based pigment production via the Ehrlich pathway

Molecular Microbiology — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Pigments contribute to the pathogenicity of many fungi, mainly by protecting fungal cells from host defence activities. Here, we have dissected the biosynthetic pathway of a tryptophan-derived pigment of the human pathogen Candida glabrata, identified key genes involved in pigment production and have begun to elucidate the possible biological function of the pigment. Using transcriptional analyses and a transposon insertion library, we have identified genes associated with pigment production. Targeted deletion mutants revealed that the pigment is a by-product of the Ehrlich pathway of tryptophan degradation: a mutant lacking a tryptophan-upregulated aromatic aminotransferase (Aro8) displayed significantly reduced pigmentation and a recombinantly expressed version of this protein was suffic...

Prophylactic Antifungal Agents Used After Lung Transplantation (March).

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The risk of fungal infection after lung transplant is multifactorial and optimal prophylactic regimens should include agents with adequate activity against the most pathogenic fungi. PMID: 20179260 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy)

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Antifungal macrocyclic bis(bibenzyls) from the Chinese liverwort Ptagiochasm intermedlum L.

Natural Product Research — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Xie CF, Qu JB, Wu XZ, Liu N, Ji M, Lou HX Six macrocyclic bis(bibenzyls) were obtained from the Chinese liverwort Ptagiochasm intermedlum L., and their structures were elucidated as pakyonol (1), neomarchantin A (2), isoriccardin C (3), marchantin H (4), riccardin F (5) and riccardin C (6) on the basis of spectroscopic data and comparison with known compounds. Among them, compounds 3-5 were isolated from this liverwort species for the first time. They possessed in vitro antifungal properties against the fluconazole-sensitive and resistant strains of Candida albicans, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 32 to >512 microg mL(-1). Furthermore, riccardin C was also demonstrated to act as a fungal resistance modifying agent when its combined effect with fl...

Chlorpyrifos reduces nickel-induced growth retardation of the soil dwelling Collembolan Folsomia candida.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Broerse M, van Gestel CA For 7 weeks, we studied the effects on body size and growth rate of Folsomia candida exposed to nickel and chlorpyrifos and their mixtures in a natural Lufa 2.2 soil. Nickel significantly reduced the development of body size of the springtails, although no complete dose-response curve was obtained. Chlorpyrifos did not influence the springtail growth when applied alone, but significantly reduced the growth retardation induced by nickel. We showed that by monitoring the development of toxicity in time for both the single compounds and the mixtures it was possible to determine mixture interactions even when no complete dose-response curves were available for all mixture components. PMID: 20185177 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Ecotoxico...

Mycotic DNA in Non-Atherosclerotic Aortic Wall of Coronary Patients Is Associated With sICAM-1 Expression.

Circulation Journal — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Mycotic DNA was found in the non-atherosclerotic aortic wall of CAD patients as well as in patients with AS. In the CAD patients C. albicans DNA was related to sICAM-1 expression. PMID: 20173302 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Circulation Journal)

Dual Specificity of Langerin to Sulfated and Mannosylated Glycans via a Single C-type Carbohydrate Recognition Domain [Glycobiology and Extracellular Matrices]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:39:18 +0100

Langerin is categorized as a C-type lectin selectively expressed in Langerhans cells, playing roles in the first line of defense against pathogens and in Birbeck granule formation. Although these functions are thought to be exerted through glycan-binding activity of the C-type carbohydrate recognition domain, sugar-binding properties of Langerin have not been fully elucidated in relation to its biological functions. Here, we investigated the glycan-binding specificity of Langerin using comprehensive glycoconjugate microarray, quantitative frontal affinity chromatography, and conventional cell biological analyses. Langerin showed outstanding affinity to galactose-6-sulfated oligosaccharides, including keratan sulfate, while it preserved binding activity to mannose, as a common feature of th...

Intraocular caspofungin: in vitro safety profile for human ocular cells

Mycoses — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study investigates the safety profile of caspofungin for intraocular application in a cell-culture model. Endothelial toxicity of caspofungin was evaluated in cultured human corneas. Possible toxic effects of caspofungin (5[ndash]300 [mu]g ml[minus]1) in corneal endothelial cells (CEC), primary human trabecular meshwork cells (TMC) and primary human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were evaluated after 24 h and under conditions of inflammatory stress by treatment with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-[alpha]), lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or interleukin-6 (IL-6) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Toxicity was evaluated by tetrazolium dye-reduction assay; cell viability was quantified by a microscopic live[ndash]dead assay. No corneal endothelial toxicity could be detected after 30 days...

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Structural classification by the Lipase Engineering Database: a case study of Candida antarctica lipase A

BMC Genomics - Latest articles — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The LED serves as a valuable tool for the systematic analysis of single proteins or protein families. The updated release 3.0 was used for the evaluation of alpha/beta hydrolases. The HTML version of the database with new features is available at http://www.led.uni-stuttgart.de and provides sequences, structures and a set of analysis tools including phylogenetic trees and HMM profiles (Source: BMC Genomics - Latest articles)

Streptomyces lacticiproducens sp. nov., a lactic acid-producing streptomycete isolated from tomato roots soil in Guangzhou, China.

International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Zhu HH, Yao Q, Yang SZ, Li ZK, Guo J An actinomycete, designated as strain GIMN4.001T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of tomato in Guangzhou, China. It produced greyish-white aerial mycelia, lactic acid and a large quantity of double diamond-shaped crystals on potato dextrose agar and yeast extract-malt extract agar (ISP 2). The colour of the substrate mycelium, was not sensitive to pH. Microscopic observations revealed that GIMN4.001T produced verticillate chains of cylindrical spores and chemotaxonomic data confirmed that GIMN4.001T belongs to the genus Streptomyces. Melanin pigments were not produced. No antibacterial activity was observed against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis or Candida albicans, but inhibitory activity was observed ag...

A new efficient recombinant expression system to engineer Candida antarctica lipase B.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Emond S, Montanier C, Nicaud JM, Marty A, Monsan P, André I, Remaud-Siméon M Here we report the use of Yarrowia lipolytica as a versatile expression host for developing protein engineering approaches to modify the properties of Candida antarctica lipase B. A reliable screening protocol was defined and validated using a saturation mutagenesis library, yielding mutants displaying higher catalytic efficiencies than the wild-type enzyme. PMID: 20173074 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology)

Mannose-binding lectin in pre-menopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Clin Microbiol Infect Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) comprises an oligomeric serum protein that is a member of the collectin class of the C-type lectin superfamily. Its deficiency is genetically determined and confers predisposition to recurrent infections as well as increased infection severity. This correlation has been demonstrated in recurrent furunculosis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, and in pneumococcal and Candida infections. The present study aimed to determine whether there is a correlation between MBL serum levels and recurrent urinary tact infections (UTI) in pre-menopausal women. The present aged-matched double-blind controlled study was conducted in 100 pre-menopausal adult women: 50 who suffered from recurrent UTI and 50 without UTI. The MBL concentration was measured in a s...

Direct impression on agar surface as a diagnostic sampling procedure for candida balanitis

Sexually Transmitted Infections — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:07:27 +0100

Conclusions Direct impression on CHROMagar candida medium resulted in the highest Candida spp recovery rate. More than 10 colonies yielded by impression culture were statistically associated with candida balanitis. This method shows the ideal profile for sampling the male genital area for yeasts and should be included in the management of balanitis. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)

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Oropharyngeal candidiasis in the era of antiretroviral therapy

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) remains a common problem in the HIV-infected population despite the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Although Candida albicans is the most frequently implicated pathogen, other Candida species also may cause infection. The emergence of antifungal resistance within these causative yeasts, especially in patients with recurrent oropharyngeal infection or with long-term use of antifungal therapies, requires a working knowledge of alternative antifungal agents. Identification of the infecting organism and antifungal susceptibility testing enhances the ability of clinicians to prescribe appropriate antifungal therapy. Characterization of the responsible mechanisms has improved our understanding of the development of antifungal resistance and could enh...

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis in APECED or thymoma patients correlates with autoimmunity to Th17-associated cytokines

The Journal of Experimental Medicine — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:21:57 +0100

We report severely reduced IL-17F and IL-22 responses to both Candida albicans antigens and polyclonal stimulation in APECED patients with CMC. Surprisingly, these reductions are strongly associated with neutralizing autoantibodies to IL-17F and IL-22, whereas responses were normal and autoantibodies infrequent in APECED patients without CMC. Our multicenter survey revealed neutralizing autoantibodies against IL-17A (41%), IL-17F (75%), and/ or IL-22 (91%) in >150 APECED patients, especially those with CMC. We independently found autoantibodies against these Th17-produced cytokines in rare thymoma patients with CMC. The autoantibodies preceded the CMC in all informative cases. We conclude that IL-22 and IL-17F are key natural defenders against CMC and that the immunodeficiency underlyin...

Antifungal drug resistance of oral fungi

Odontology — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:40:09 +0100

Abstract Fungi comprise a minor component of the oral microbiota but give rise to oral disease in a significant proportion of the population. The most common form of oral fungal disease is oral candidiasis, which has a number of presentations. The mainstay for the treatment of oral candidiasis is the use of polyenes, such as nystatin and amphotericin B, and azoles including miconazole, fluconazole, and itraconazole. Resistance of fungi to polyenes is rare, but some Candida species, such as Candida glabrata and C. krusei, are innately less susceptible to azoles, and C. albicans can acquire azole resistance. The main mechanism of high-level fungal azole resistance, measured in vitro, is energy-dependent drug efflux. Most fungi in the oral cavity, however, are present in multis...

Improved Model of Lanosterol 14alpha-Demethylase by Ligand-Supported Homology Modeling: Validation by Virtual Screening and Azole Optimization.

ChemMedChem — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sheng C, Wang W, Che X, Dong G, Wang S, Ji H, Miao Z, Yao J, Zhang W Lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51) is an important target for antifungal drugs. An improved three-dimensional model of CYP51 from Candida albicans (CACYP51) was constructed by ligand-supported homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations. The accuracy of the constructed model was evaluated by its performance in a small-scale virtual screen. The results show that known CYP51 inhibitors were efficiently discriminated by the model, and it performed better than our previous CACYP51 model. The active site of CACYP51 was characterized by multiple copy simultaneous search (MCSS) calculations. On the basis of the MCSS results, a series of novel azoles were designed and synthesized, and they showed good in...

Identification of Candida albicans exposed surface proteins "in vivo" by a rapid proteomic approach.

Journal of Proteomics — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hernáez ML, Ximénez-Embún P, Martínez-Gomariz M, Gutiérrez D, Nombela C, Gil C We have set up a fast and easy methodology to identify cell surface proteins in live yeasts. A non-gel proteomic approach was based on a short period of trypsin treatment followed by peptide separation and identification using nano-LC followed by off-line MS/MS. Candida albicans was used as a model organism and proteins involved in cell wall organization, cell rescue, defense, virulence, transport, protein fate and metabolism were identified. This strategy is a powerful tool to study host-pathogen interactions and to look for potential vaccine candidates and drug targets. PMID: 20167299 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Proteomics)

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Candida albicans–associated necrotizing vasculitis producing life-threatening gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Human Pathology — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We describe a case of systemic Candida albicans infection associated with life-threatening gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to unusual necrotizing vasculitis involving the gastrointestinal tract. We explore the association between Candida and such vasculopathy. (Source: Human Pathology)

Periodontitis, periodontopathic bacteria and lactoferrin.

Biometals — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wakabayashi H, Kondo I, Kobayashi T, Yamauchi K, Toida T, Iwatsuki K, Yoshie H Lactoferrin (LF) is a component of saliva and is suspected to be a defense factor against oral pathogens including Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Periodontitis is a very common oral disease caused by periodontopathic bacteria. Antimicrobial activities and other biological effects of LF against representative periodontopathic bacteria, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia, have been widely studied. Association of polymorphisms in LF with incidence of aggressive periodontitis and the role of LF in the gingival crevicular fluid as a marker of periodontitis severity have also been reported. Periodontopathic bacteria reside as a biofilm in...

De novo sequencing of two new cyclic theta-defensins from baboon (Papio hamadryas) leukocytes by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Stegemann C, Tsvetkova EV, Aleshina GM, Lehrer RI, Kokryakov VN, Hoffmann R Two cyclic theta-defensin peptides were isolated from leukocytes of the hamadryas baboon, Papio hamadryas, and purified to homogeneity by gel electrophoresis and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Both peptides had high in vitro activity against Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Candida albicans. Here, we report their de novo sequencing by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS). This was accomplished by combining conventional enzymatic digestion with N-terminal derivatization by 2-sulfobenzoic acid cyclic anhydride (SACA) or 4-sulfophenylisothiocyanate (SPIT...

Synthesis and in vitro study of methylene-bis-tetrahydro[1,3]thiazolo[4,5-c]isoxazoles as potential nematicidal agents.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Srinivas A, Nagaraj A, Reddy CS A series of methylene-bis-tetrahydro[1,3]thiazolo[4,5-c]isoxazoles 6 were synthesized by the reaction of chalcone derivative of methylene-bis-thiazolidinone 5 with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The chemical structures of newly synthesized compounds were elucidated by IR, (1)H, (13)C NMR, MS and elemental analyses. The compounds 6a-g were evaluated for their nematicidal activity against Ditylenchus myceliophagus and Caenorhabditis elegans, compound 6e and 6f showed appreciable nematicidal activity. Further the compounds 6a-g were screened for their antifungal activity against Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), Aspergillus fumigatus (HIC 6094), Trichophyton rubrum (IFO 9185) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (IFO 40996). The compounds 6b and 6f displayed...

What Is Oral Thrush In Adults? What Causes Oral Thrush In Adults?

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Oral thrush (oral candidiasis) is a condition in which the fungus Candida albicans causes an infection on the lining of the mouth. It is also known as "Thrush". When occurring in the mouth or throat of adults it may also be termed candidosis or moniliasis. Oral thrush causes white lesions, usually on the tongue or inner cheeks. The lesions can be painful and may bleed slightly when they are scraped. The infected mucosa of the mouth may appear inflamed and red. Sometimes the condition may spread to the roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils or the back of the throat... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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What Is Oral Thrush In Adults? What Causes Oral Thrush In Adults?

Dentistry News From Medical News Today — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Pseudomonas aeruginosa secreted factors impair biofilm development in Candida albicans.

Microbiology — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Holcombe LJ, McAlester G, Munro CA, Enjalbert B, Brown AJ, Gow NA, Ding C, Butler G, O'Gara F, Morrissey JP Signal mediated interactions between the human opportunistic pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans affect virulence traits in both microbes. Phenotypic studies revealed that bacterial supernatant from four P. aeruginosa strains strongly reduced the ability of C. albicans to form biofilms on silicone. This was largely a consequence of inhibition of biofilm maturation, a phenomenon also observed with supernatant prepared from non-clinical bacterial species. Supernatant effects on biofilm formation were not mediated via interference with the yeast-hyphal morphological switch and occured regardless of the level of HSL produced indicating that the effect is HS...

Characterization of the gastrointestinal yeast microbiota of cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus): a potential hazard to human health.

Journal of Medical Microbiology — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Brilhante RS, Maia DC, Soares GD, Monteiro AJ, Astete-Medrano DJ, Cordeiro RA, Sidrim JJ, Rocha MF Cockatiels are the world's second most popular psittacine pet bird and no data characterizing their gastrointestinal microbiota have been found. Thus, this work aims at the characterization of yeast gastrointestinal microbiota of cockatiels and at the evaluation of their relevance as carriers of potentially pathogenic yeasts. Sixty cockatiels, from 15 different premises, were assessed. A thorough clinical examination was performed with each bird and samples were collected from oral cavity, crop and cloaca. The stools were collected from cages where birds were kept. The isolated cultures were identified according to morphological and biochemical characteristics. Yeasts were isolat...

Expression of Candida albicans glutathione transferases is induced inside phagocytes and upon diverse environmental stresses

FEMS Yeast Research — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Candida albicans has four ORFs for glutathione transferases (GSTs) of the GTT classes, and another one coding for an Omega class member. Under laboratory conditions, only GTT11 (GTT1/2 class) and GTO1 (Omega class) are expressed significantly in exponentially growing cells, particularly when these are subjected to diverse environmental stresses, including oxidative stress. They also become transitorily upregulated at the early stationary phase. Accordingly, the levels of the CaGto1 and CaGtt11 proteins increase after treatment with oxidants and upon osmotic stress, in addition to the early stationary phase. GTT11 and GTO1 transcription shows a complex dependence on the Hog1 and Cap1 factors upon different stresses. Purified CaGtt11 and CaGto1 proteins display enzyme activities similar to t...

Target validation and ligand development for a pathogenic fungal profilin, using a knock-down strain of pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata and structure-based ligand design

Yeast — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we focused on fungal profilin, which is a small actin control protein sharing limited homology to human profilin. To validate its potentiality as a target, a profilin-conditional mutant of the pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata was constructed, using a regulatable Tet promoter, and its growth was monitored in vitro. Repression of profilin expression led to severe growth defect, demonstrating the potential of this protein as a novel antifungal target. Next, novel peptides binding to the active interface of profilin were designed by computer simulation. ELISA analysis showed that these peptides did bind to the wild-type profilin but bound less strongly to a profilin with amino acid substitutions at the active interface. Hence, we show here that profilin is a potential antifunga...

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Candida spp. bloodstream infection: influence of antifungal treatment on outcome

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:11:25 +0100

Conclusions In patients with candidaemia, echinocandin therapy results in a better outcome. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

An approach to characterize the membrane proteome of Candida albicans

Future Microbiology — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:12:11 +0100

Future Microbiology , February 2010, Vol. 5, No. 2, Pages 147-151. (Source: Future Microbiology)

Enhancement of Insulin Release from the β-Cell Line INS-1 by an Ethanolic Extract of Bauhinia variegata and Its Major Constituent Roseoside

Planta Medica — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:04:46 +0100

In this study, the insulin-secreting cell line INS-1 was used to examine the effects of the crude ethanolic extract of leaves of L. var. Candida Voidt and its major metabolite (6,7,9)-9-hydroxymegastigma-4,7-dien-3-one-9--glycopyraroside (roseoside) () on insulinotropic activity. The crude extracts and the major metabolite were shown to increase insulin secretion in a dose-dependant manner.[...]© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New YorkGet connected:Table of contents | Abstract | Full text (Source: Planta Medica)

Novel FKS Mutations Associated with Echinocandin Resistance in Candida Species.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Garcia-Effron G, Chua DJ, Tomada JR, Dipersio J, Perlin DS, Ghannoum M, Bonilla H We studied three clinical isolates of Candida spp. (1 C. tropicalis and 2 C. glabrata ) isolated from patients with invasive candidiasis. The first isolate emerged during echinocandin treatment while the others after the same treatment. These strains harbored an amino acid substitution in Fksp never linked before with reduced echinocandin susceptibility in C. tropicalis or in C. glabrata. The molecular mechanism of reduced susceptibility was confirmed using a 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase inhibition assay. PMID: 20145084 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy)

In Vitro Fungicidal Activity of Echinocandins against Candida metapsilosis, C. orthopsilosis and C. parapsilosis by Time Killing Studies.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cantón E, Espinel-Ingroff A, Pemán J, Del Castillo L Anidulafungin, micafungin and caspofungin in vitro activity was evaluated by MIC and time-kill methods against Candida metapsilosis, C. orthopsilosis and C. parapsilosis. All echinocandins showed lower MICs (mean MICs 0.05-0.71 mg/L) and the highest killing rates (-0.06 to -0.05 CFU/mL/h) for C. metapsilosis and C. orthopsilosis than for C. parapsilosis (mean MICs 0.59-1.68 mg/L). Micafungin and anidulafungin killing rates were greater than that of caspofungin. None of the echinocandins had fungicidal activity against C. parapsilosis. PMID: 20145083 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy)

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Changes in the Proteome of Candida albicans in Response to Azole, Polyene, and Echinocandin Antifungal Agents.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hoehamer CF, Cummings ED, Hilliard GM, Rogers PD The yeast Candida albicans is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen and cause of superficial and systemic infections in immunocompromised patients. The classes of antifungal agents most commonly used to treat Candida infections are the azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins. In the present study, we identified changes in C. albicans protein abundance using 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS) following exposure to representatives of azole (ketoconazole), polyene (amphotericin B), and echinocandin (caspofungin) antifungals in an effort to elucidate the adaptive responses to these classes of antifungal agents. We id...

Biosorption of chromium from aqueous solution and electroplating wastewater using mixture of Candida lipolytica and dewatered sewage sludge.

Bioresource Technology — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, the objective was to investigate Cr removal from aqueous solutions, as well as Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn from electroplating wastewaters by the mixture of Candida lipolytica and sewage sludge. The bioreduction ratios of Cr(VI) and the removal ratios of total Cr showed that initial pH, biosorbent dosage and contact time were the important parameters for Cr biosorption. The range of optimal pH for the mixture (1-5) was wider than C. lipolytica (1-4) and sewage sludge (2-4), respectively. Biosorption and bioreduction potentials of living C. lipolytica were better than those of cell wall and cytoplasm. Bonded hydroxyl group, CH(2) asymmetric stretch, amide I, amide II, amide III, secondary amide, pyridine(I)beta(C-H) and pyridine(II)beta(C-H) were detected in the biosorbent and they wer...

Lessons from the inflammasome: a molecular sentry linking Candida and Crohn's disease.

Trends in Immunology — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Rehaume LM, Jouault T, Chamaillard M Candida albicans is a diploid fungus that colonizes the gastrointestinal tract asymptomatically in a large proportion of the human population, but can cause life-threatening conditions in immunocompromised patients. Recent immunological investigations have revealed the Nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) to be a cytosolic surveillance mechanism against germinating Candida. These observations point to the idea of a molecular link between Candida and a spectrum of auto-inflammatory diseases. When excessive activation of NLRP3 occurs, it can confer resistance against disseminating Candida infection but might also cause NLRP3-associated periodic syndromes. Alternatively, we propose a pathophysiological model whereby a de...

Severe cutaneous candida infection during natalizumab therapy in multiple sclerosis

Neurology — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:00:53 +0100

(Source: Neurology)

New effects and applications of thioflavins

Central European Journal of Biology — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:19:23 +0100

Abstract The thiazol dye Thioflavin T (ThT), which is used to stain amyloid fibrils, was found to have strong inhibitory effects on both growth and conidiation of the deuteromycete Trichoderma viride at concentrations between 10–100 µg/ml (ca. 30–300 µmol/l). Thioflavin S (ThS), also known to stain amyloid fibrils, had no significant effect at these concentrations. Both stains yielded a fluorescence response, but their distributions were different. ThT was non-homogenously distributed throughout the cytoplasm, whereas ThS fluorescence was strongly bound to septal regions. The effect of ThT was studied on several model microorganisms. It exerted a strong inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacterium) (MIC=10 µmol/l), but the effect on Escherichia ...

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Study of microbial contamination and dosing accuracy of oral dispensers

Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The present study revealed that oral dispensers are accurate measuring devices for the safe administration of liquid medication. Pharmacists and physicians should encourage their patients to use oral dispensers routinely in practice. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics)

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy

HIV Medicine — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The current literature suggests that there has been a decrease in opportunistic diseases among HIV-infected patients since the widespread introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1995. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of HAART and CD4 lymphocyte count on diseases of the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract, digestive symptoms, and endoscopic and histological observations. A review of 706 HIV-infected patients who underwent GI endoscopy was undertaken. The cohort was divided into three groups: group 1 (G1), pre-HAART, consisting of 239 patients who underwent endoscopy between January 1991 and December 1994; group 2 (G2), early HAART, consisting of 238 patients who underwent endoscopy between January 1999 and December 2002; and group 3 (G3), recent HAAR...

Susceptibility of Candida biofilms to histatin 5 and fluconazole.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We examined antifungal activities of histatin 5 against planktonic or biofilm Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Candida biofilms were developed on poly(methyl methacrylate) discs and treated with histatin 5 (0.01-100 muM) or fluconazole (1-200 muM). The metabolic activity of the biofilms was measured by the XTT reduction assay. The fungicidal activity of histatin 5 against planktonic Candida was tested by microdilution plate assay. Biofilm and planktonic C. albicans GDH18, UTR-14 and 6122/06 were highly susceptible to histatin 5, with 50% RMA (concentration of the agent causing 50% reduction in the metabolic activity; biofilm) of 4.6 +/- 2.2, 6.9 +/- 3.7 and 1.7 +/- 1.5 muM, and IC(50) (planktonic cells) of 3.0 +/- 0.5, 2.6 +/- 0.1 and 4.8 +/- 0.5, respectively. Biofilms of C. glabrat...

Synthesis, structure and structure-activity relationship analysis of caffeic acid amides as potential antimicrobials.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Fu J, Cheng K, Zhang ZM, Fang RQ, Zhu HL A series of caffeic acid amides 1-23 were synthesized and nine of which (13-17, 19-21 and 23) were reported for the first time. The chemical structures of these compounds were confirmed by means of (1)H NMR, ESI MS and elemental analyses. Compound 15 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All of the compounds were assayed for antibacterial (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Staphylococcus aureus) and antifungal (Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum) activities by MTT method. Compounds 10-12, 15, 18 and 21 showed considerable antibacterial activities against B. subtilis with MICs of 7.95, 6.25, 3.89, 1.18, 3.12 and 15.5 mug/mL, respectively. Structure-activity re...

Design, synthesis and determination of antifungal activity of 5(6)-substituted benzotriazoles.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Patel PD, Patel MR, Kocsis B, Kocsis E, Graham SM, Warren AR, Nicholson SM, Billack B, Fronczek FR, Talele TT In an effort to find inhibitors that are effective against both Candida and Aspergillus spp., a series of 5(6)-(un)substituted benzotriazole analogs, represented by compounds 3a-3h and 3b'-3f', were prepared using a crystalline oxirane intermediate 1 previously synthesized in our laboratory. All the compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity against various species of Candida and Aspergillus. Compounds 3b' (5,6-dimethylbenzotriazol-2-yl derivative), 3d (5-chlorobenzotriazol-1-yl derivative) and 3e' (6-methylbenzotriazol-1-yl derivative) exhibited potent antifungal activity, with the MICs for Candida spp. and Aspergillus niger, ranging from 1.6mug/mL to 25mug/mL a...

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Antimicrobial and antiadhesive properties of a biosurfactant isolated from Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei A20

Letters in Applied Microbiology — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: As far as we know, this is the first compilation of data on antimicrobial and antiadhesive activities of biosurfactants obtained from lactobacilli against such a broad group of micro-organisms. Although the antiadhesive activity of biosurfactants isolated from lactic acid bacteria has been widely reported, their antimicrobial activity is quite unusual and has been described only in a few strains.Significance and Impact of the Study: The results obtained in this study regarding the antimicrobial and antiadhesive properties of this biosurfactant opens future prospects for its use against micro-organisms responsible for diseases and infections in the urinary, vaginal and gastrointestinal tracts, as well as in the skin, making it a suitable alternative to conventional antibiotics....

Comparison of the Vitek 2 system with the CLSI broth microdilution, disk diffusion, and sterol quantitation methods for determining fluconazole susceptibility against Candida spp.

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:00:17 +0100

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine 48 (2): 297-298 (Source: Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine)

Phosphatidylserine synthase and phosphatidylserine decarboxylase are essential for cell wall integrity and virulence in Candida albicans

Molecular Microbiology — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Phospholipid biosynthetic pathways play crucial roles in the virulence of several pathogens; however, little is known about how phospholipid synthesis affects pathogenesis in fungi such as Candida albicans. A C. albicans phosphatidylserine (PS) synthase mutant, cho1[Delta]/[Delta], lacks PS, has decreased phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and is avirulent in a mouse model of systemic candidiasis. The cho1[Delta]/[Delta] mutant exhibits defects in cell wall integrity, mitochondrial function, filamentous growth, and is auxotrophic for ethanolamine. PS is a precursor for de novo PE biosynthesis. A psd1[Delta]/[Delta] psd2[Delta]/[Delta] double mutant, which lacks the PS decarboxylase enzymes that convert PS to PE in the de novo pathway, has diminished PE levels like those of the cho1[Delta]/[Del...

Forward genetics in Candida albicans that reveals the Arp2/3 complex is required for hyphal formation, but not endocytosis

Molecular Microbiology — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Candida albicans is a diploid fungal pathogen lacking a defined complete sexual cycle, and thus has been refractory to standard forward genetic analysis. Instead, transcription profiling and reverse genetic strategies based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae have typically been used to link genes to functions. To overcome restrictions inherent in such indirect approaches, we have investigated a forward genetic mutagenesis strategy based on the UAU1 technology. We screened 4700 random insertion mutants for defects in hyphal development and linked two new genes (ARP2 and VPS52) to hyphal growth. Deleting ARP2 abolished hyphal formation, generated round and swollen yeast phase cells, disrupted cortical actin patches and blocked virulence in mice. The mutants also showed a global lack of induction of...

Synthesis, antibacterial and antifungal activities of some carbazole derivatives.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Zhang FF, Gan LL, Zhou CH A series of N-substituted carbazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus proteus, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus by two fold serial dilution technique. Some of the synthesized compounds displayed comparable or even better antibacterial and antifungal activities than reference drugs fluconazole, chloramphenicol and norfloxacin against tested strains. PMID: 20176480 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters)

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Oral Fluconazole for Candida Urinary Tract Infection

Urologia Internationalis : Last 20 articles — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Urol Int 1997;59:252256 (DOI:10.1159/000283074) (Source: Urologia Internationalis : Last 20 articles)

Secondary cutaneous candidiasis with eosinophilia

The Journal of Dermatology — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We describe a case of secondary cutaneous candidiasis which spread extensively to the trunk and extremities and showed marked dermal eosinophilia. This case and a similar reported case suggest that Candida can sometimes cause cutaneous inflammation predominantly composed of eosinophils. (Source: The Journal of Dermatology)

In vitro antifungal activity of hydroxychavicol isolated from Piper betle L

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The antifungal activity exhibited by this compound warrants its use as an antifungal agent particularly for treating topical infections, as well as gargle mouthwash against oral Candida infections. (Source: Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials)

Role of the Slt2 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in cell wall integrity and virulence in Candida glabrata

FEMS Yeast Research — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we investigated the effects of SLT2 deletion and overexpression on drug susceptibility and virulence in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida glabrata. While the [Delta]slt2 strain showed decreased tolerance to elevated temperature and cell wall-damaging agents, the SLT2-overexpressing strain exhibited increased tolerance to these stresses. A mutant lacking Rlm1, a transcription factor downstream of Slt2, displayed a cell wall-associated phenotype intermediate to that of the [Delta]slt2 strain. When RLM1 was overexpressed, micafungin tolerance was increased in the wild-type strain and partial restoration of the drug tolerance was observed in the [Delta]slt2 background. It was also demonstrated that echinocandin-class antifungals were more effective against C. glabrata un...

Fluconazole, caspofungin, voriconazole in combination with amphotericin B

Central European Journal of Medicine — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:47:42 +0100

Abstract Combined antifungal therapy has been suggested to enhance the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of antifungal agents. The aim of the study was to investigate the in vitro synergistic activity of caspofungin, voriconazole, and fluconazole with amphotericin B against ten isolates of Candida parapsilosis and Candida albicans strains which were resistant to azoles or amphotericin B. Three different antifungal combinations (amphotericin B [AP] — caspofungin [CS], amphotericin B — fluconazole [FL], and AP — voriconazole [VO]) were evaluated for in vitro synergistic effect by the microdilution checkerboard and E-test methods. For the majority of strains, the combination test showed indifferent activity. Via the E-test method, synergistic activity was seen in 3 strains ...

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Effects of Combined Addition of Atovaquone and Lithium on the in Vitro Cell Growth of Pathogenic Yeast Candida albicans.

Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We examined the effects of atovaquone on cellular respiration and in vitro growth of C. albicans to explore a new therapeutic possibility for fungal infections. Atovaquone strongly inhibited glucose-dependent cellular respiration similarly to antimycin A, stigmatellin, and myxothiazol, specific bc(1) complex inhibitors. However, atovaquone suppressed glucose-dependent cell growth to a much lesser extent versus the comparator agents. When added alone, lithium exerted slight growth inhibition. The combined addition of lithium with atovaquone showed a significant increase in inhibition of growth. Although the way lithium acts synergistically with atovaquone remains to be elucidated, our results suggest a new therapeutic possibility of this combination for the treatment of candidosis. PMID...

In Vitro Antifungal Activities of D11-2040, a beta-1,6-Glucan Inhibitor, with or without Currently Available Antifungal Drugs.

Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we further evaluated the antifungal profile of D11-2040. It alone strongly inhibited the vegetative growth and/or hyphal development of various Candida species, but no significant activity was observed against Cryptococcus neoformans or any of the filamentous fungi tested. Synergism was detected for C. albicans in the interaction of D11-2040 and caspofungin by the chequerboard method and in that of D11-2040 and fluconazole by the time-kill method. Slight but positive interactions were observed in several combinations for C. neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus as well. These results suggested that beta-1,6-glucan inhibitors have promising potential as single drugs as well as concomitants. PMID: 20118539 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulleti...

Evaluation by Data Mining techniques of Fluconazole Breakpoints established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), and its comparison with those of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST).

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cuesta I, Bielza C, Cuenca-Estrella M, Larrañaga P, Rodríguez-Tudela JL EUCAST and CLSI have established different breakpoints for fluconazole and Candida spp. However, the reference methodologies employed to obtain the MICs provide similar results. The aim of this work was to apply supervised classification algorithms to analyze the clinical data used by CLSI to establish fluconazole breakpoints for Candida infections and compare them with the results obtained with the dataset used to set up fluconazole EUCAST breakpoints where the MIC value for detecting failures was > 4 mg/L with sensitivity of 87%, false-positive rate of 8% and area under the ROC curve of 0.89. Five supervised classifiers (J48, CART, OneR, Naïve Bayes and Simple Logistic) were used to ana...

Transcriptional Regulation of Chitin Synthases by Calcineurin Controls Paradoxical Growth of Aspergillus fumigatus in Response to Caspofungin.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Fortwendel JR, Juvvadi PR, Perfect BZ, Rogg LE, Perfect JR, Steinbach WJ Attenuated activity of echinocandin antifungals at high concentrations, known as the "paradoxical effect", is a well-established phenomenon in Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. In the yeast C. albicans, upregulation of chitin biosynthesis via the PKC, HOG, and Ca(2+)/calcineurin signaling pathways is an important cell wall stress response that permits growth in the presence of high concentrations of echinocandins. However, nothing is known of the molecular mechanisms regulating the mould A. fumigatus and its paradoxical response to echinocandins. Here we show that laboratory strain of A. fumigatus and five of seven clinical A. fumigatus isolates tested display varying magnitudes of paradoxical g...

Chemical composition, in vitro antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant activities of the essential oil and methanolic extract of Hymenocrater longiflorus Benth., of Iran.

Food and Chemical Toxicology — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study we identified the chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of essential oil and methanolic extract of hymenocrater longiflorus benth. Totally 87 volatile compounds from the essential oil in H. longiflorus, were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). These compounds are mainly monoterpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenoids compounds. The antimicrobial and antifungal activity of plants extracts against several pathogenic microorganisms was studied by disc diffusion and minimume inhibitory concentration procedures. The results revealed that the essential oil and polar subfraction are effective mostly against Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The ant...

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Micafungin-induced hemolysis attack due to drug-dependent antibody persisting for more than 6 weeks

Leukemia Research — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:33:21 +0100

Micafungin, which is the class of echinocandin antifungal drugs that inhibit β-(1,3)-d-glucan synthesis that is the main composition element of fungal cell walls in the peculiarity and has an excellent antimycotic activity, possesses high effectiveness against invasive aspergillosis and Candida spp., it excels also in safety, and it is used for the management of fungal infections to neutropenic patients after intensive chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Nanri et al. recently reported 2 patients developing acute hemolysis followed by acute renal failure due to micafungin administration . They revealed that red blood cells (RBCs) caused agglutination by the mixture of micafungin and the patient's plasma samples in the indirect antiglobulin test (AGT). Acute hemolysis d...

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Fungal Ventricular‐Assist Device Infections

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:09:18 +0100

Conclusions. Fungi were responsible for approximately one‐fifth of VAD infections and were associated with a mortality rate of 91%. Restriction of total parenteral nutrition use is essential in decreasing the rate of fungal VAD infection. Trials are needed for investigating the use of echinocandins or lipid formulations of amphotericin B for prevention and/or treatment of fungal VAD infection. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Effect of a single-use toothbrush on plaque microflora

Table of Contents : Indian Journal of Dental Research : 2006 - 17(3) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:00:21 +0100

Conclusions</b> : As a contaminated toothbrush can reintroduce microorganisms into the oral cavity, it may be a sound practice to change the toothbrush as frequently as possible. (Source: Table of Contents : Indian Journal of Dental Research : 2006 - 17(3))

Terrestrial short-term ecotoxicity of a green formicide.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tiepo EN, Corrêa AX, Resgalla C, Cotelle S, Férard JF, Radetski CM When ants become annoying, large quantities of formicide are applied to terrestrial ecosystems in tropical regions, but awareness of the health and environmental impacts related to the use of synthetic pesticides has been increasing. The use of green pesticides to combat target organisms could reduce these impacts. In this regard, terrestrial ecotoxicity tests with higher plants (Brassica olaracea, Lactuca sativa and Mucuna aterrima), annelids (Eisenia foetida), Collembola (Folsomia candida) and soil enzyme activity analysis (diacetate fluorescein hydrolysis) were used to evaluate short-term terrestrial ecotoxicity of a green pesticide prepared from naturally-occurring organic compounds. At the highes...

Effect of pore diameter and cross-linking method on the immobilization efficiency of Candida rugosa lipase in SBA-15.

Bioresource Technology — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Gao S, Wang Y, Diao X, Luo G, Dai Y The influences of pore diameter and cross-linking method on the immobilization efficiency of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) in a mesoporous material have been investigated. Five kinds of SBA-15 with different pore-sizes (6.8nm, 9.1nm, 13.2nm, 15.6nm and 22.4nm) were chosen as the carrier. The one with pore diameter of 15.6nm was proved to be a more suitable immobilization support than the others, and the loading amount reached 343.6mg/g. To solve the leaching problem of the adsorbed enzyme, chitosan and glutaraldehyde were used as the "bridge unit" and "cross-linking agent", respectively, which were supposed to realize the immobilization of lipase molecules adsorbed on the surface of pores into a mesh-like layer. The experimental results showed...

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Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Thymus x viciosoi against Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus and Dermatophyte Species

Planta Medica — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:06:32 +0100

In conclusion, the phenolic oil of x may have potential for use in the development of clinically useful antifungal preparations.[...]© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New YorkGet connected:Table of contents | Abstract | Full text (Source: Planta Medica)

Fungicidal activity and morphological alterations of Candida albicans induced by echinocandins: study of strains with reduced caspofungin susceptibility

Mycoses — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Caspofungin is a member of the echinocandin class of antifungal compounds that inhibit 1,3-[beta]-d-Glucan synthase. As patient exposure to caspofungin (CAS) broadens, the number of infecting strains with reduced susceptibility to this drug is expected to rise. In the present study, the in vitro effects of varying concentrations of CAS against Candida albicans isolates presenting reduced susceptibility to CAS were studied in comparison with a reference strain. Two C. albicans isolates presenting high minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC = 8 [mu]g ml[minus]1) were selected: one isolate obtained in the laboratory under continuous antifungal selection pressure (CaIn-R) and one clinical isolate (CaClin-R) from a patient with a therapeutic failure. Results showed that after 24 h of CAS exposu...

Combination of caspofungin or anidulafungin with antimicrobial peptides results in potent synergistic killing of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata in vitro

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Administering synergistic combinations of antifungals could be a route to overcome problems with toxicity and the development of resistance. Combination of the echinocandins caspofungin or anidulafungin with a range of structurally diverse antimicrobial peptides resulted in potent synergistic killing of Candida spp. in vitro. Fungicidal synergy was measured by calculating fractional inhibitory concentration indices from checkerboard assays as well as loss of viability. Inhibitory combinations of the antifungals did not induce cytotoxicity in vitro. However, in a murine model of systemic candidiasis, co-administration of caspofungin with one example of the cationic peptides tested, ranalexin, did not show enhanced efficacy compared with the single treatments alone. Further study u...

Histone acetyltransferase Rtt109 is required for Candida albicans pathogenesis [Microbiology]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:48:28 +0100

Candida albicans is a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen that is the most prevalent cause of hospital-acquired fungal infections. In mammalian... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

Cloning of the Zygosaccharomyces bailii GAS1 homologue and effect of cell wall engineering on protein secretory phenotype

BioMed Central — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The data presented confirm that the engineering of the cell wall is an effective way to improve protein secretion in yeast. They also confirmed that Z. bailii is an interesting candidate, despite the knowledge of its genome and the tools for its manipulation still need to be improved. However, as already widely reported in literature, our data confirmed that an "always working" solution to the problems related to recombinant protein production can be hardly, if never, found; instead, manipulations have to be finely tuned for each specific product and/or combination of host cell and product. (Source: BioMed Central)

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Global screening of potential Candida albicans biofilm-related transcription factors via network comparison

BMC Bioinformatics - Latest articles — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The results indicate that the proposed screening method can successfully identify most known biofilm-related TFs and also identify many others that have not been previously reported. Together, this method can be employed as a pre-experiment screening approach that reveals new target genes for further characterization to understand the regulatory mechanisms in biofilm formation, which can serve as the starting point for therapeutic intervention of C. albicans infections. (Source: BMC Bioinformatics - Latest articles)

Review: Use of fluconazole in neonatal intensive care units

NeLM - News — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Arch Dis Childhood Area: News The Archives of Disease in Childhood has featured a review on the use of fluconazole in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The article discusses the following: . Criticisms and concerns about fluconazole use in NICU . What should be done to prevent candidaemia or invasive fungal infections (IFI)? The authors conclude that: "Prophylaxis with fluconazole is at the moment the only preventive measure for avoiding IFI in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates in NICU that has been subjected to RCT. By preventing IFI, fluconazole might hopefully eliminate Candida as a cause of neurodevelopmental impairment and mortality and in all VLBW infants, and particularly in those weighing less than 1000g or born at 27 weeks or less,...

Association between abnormal vaginal flora and cervical length as risk factors for preterm birth.

The Ultrasound Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

DISCUSSION.: Presence of AV or M. hominis is associated with a shorter cervix at 20-24 and 30-34 weeks. Although a short cervix at 10-14 weeks increases the likelihood of having a short cervix later in pregnancy, it was not a prerequisite for AVF to be associated with preterm delivery. Therefore, in the pathogenesis of preterm birth, certain types of AVF may be involved directly in the process of cervical shortening, rather than being exposed to the intrauterine cavity more readily by a short cervix in the early stages of pregnancy. Copyright (c) 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. PMID: 20104531 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Ultrasound Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Characterization of Plant-Derived Saponin Natural Products against Candida albicans

ACS Chemical Biology — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:24:40 +0100

ACS Chemical Biology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Articles ASAP (As Soon As Publishable). (Source: ACS Chemical Biology)

Enzymatic Deprotection of the Cephalosporin 3′-Acetoxy Group Using Candida antarctica Lipase B

The Journal of Organic Chemistry — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:31:14 +0100

The Journal of Organic Chemistry, Volume 0, Issue 0, Articles ASAP (As Soon As Publishable). (Source: The Journal of Organic Chemistry)

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Epidemiology and outcome of invasive fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients

Transplant Infectious Disease — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

D. Neofytos, J.A. Fishman, D. Horn, E. Anaissie, C.-H. Chang, A. Olyaei, M. Pfaller, W.J. Steinbach, K.M. Webster, K.A. Marr. Epidemiology and outcome of invasive fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients.Transpl Infect Dis 2010: 7: 000[ndash]000. All rights reservedAbstract: Contemporary epidemiology and outcomes of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are not well described. From March 2004 through September 2007, proven and probable IFIs were prospectively identified in 17 transplant centers in the United States. A total 429 adult SOT recipients with 515 IFIs were identified; 362 patients received a single and 67 patients received [ge]2 organs. Most IFIs were caused by Candida species (59.0%), followed by Aspergillus species (24.8%), ...

Roles of calcineurin and Crz1 in antifungal susceptibility and virulence of Candida glabrata.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Miyazaki T, Yamauchi S, Inamine T, Nagayoshi Y, Saijo T, Izumikawa K, Seki M, Kakeya H, Yamamoto Y, Yanagihara K, Miyazaki Y, Kohno S A Candida glabrata calcineurin mutant exhibited increased susceptibility to both azole antifungal and cell-wall damaging agents, and was also attenuated in virulence. Although a mutant lacking the downstream transcription factor Crz1 displayed a cell wall-associated phenotype intermediate to that of the calcineurin mutant and was modestly attenuated in virulence, it did not show increased azole susceptibility. These results suggest that calcineurin regulates both Crz1-dependent and -independent pathways depending on the type of stress. PMID: 20100876 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy)

Antiproliferative activity of novel benzo[b][1,6]naphthyridines in human solid tumor cell lines.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Rudys S, Ríos-Luci C, Pérez-Roth E, Cikotiene I, Padrón JM A series of 2-substituted 1,2-dihydro-3-phenyl-1-(trichloromethyl)benzo[b][1,6]naphthyridines were synthesized and their in vitro antiproliferative activities were examined against human solid tumor cell lines and relevant strains of bacteria and Candida. The compounds induced considerably growth inhibition in all cancer cell lines, whilst showed inactive against microbial strains. Furthermore, we found analog 2-ethoxy-1H-pyrano[4,3-b]quinoline as selective inhibitor of microbial strains. PMID: 20144871 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters)

Can Lactobacillus acidophilus influence the adhesion capacity of Candida albicans on the combined contraceptive vaginal ring?

Contraception — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of Lactobacillus acidophilus on the adhesion capacity of Candida albicans on the combined contraceptive vaginal ring (CCVR).Study Design: Two vaginal isolates of C. albicans and an ATCC strain of lactobacilli were used. Isolated and associated yeasts and bacteria (co-aggregated) were employed on the CCVR adherence assays and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Results: Isolated yeasts and lactobacilli adhered strongly to the CCVR. After the co-aggregation, there were an increase in adhesion capacity of the yeasts (p (Source: Contraception)

Composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils from Poiretia bahiana C. Müller (Papilionoideae-Leguminosae)

Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:41:45 +0100

Poiretia bahiana known as "arrudinha", "arruda da serra" or "arruda brava", has its occurrence restricted to the rock fields (campo rupestre) areas in Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, northeastern region of Brazil. Its aerial parts present a pungent smell and have been used by local communities as fumigant for the control of infestation of fleas and in the treatment of hemorrhoids, articulations pain and sinusitis. This work reports the composition of the volatile oils from aerial parts of five specimens and of the essential oil from the fruits of one specimen of Poiretia bahiana that were harvested in four different places of Chapada Diamantina. Twenty nine components were identified from the oils analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Umbellulone, in concentrations between 55.0% and 75.3% and sabinene,...

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Charge carrier concentration and mobility in alkali silicates

Journal of Chemical Physics — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:30:02 +0100

Jean-Louis Souquet, Marcio Luis Ferreira Nascimento, and Ana Candida Martins Rodrigues The respective contributions of the charge carrier concentration and mobility to the ionic conductivity in glasses remain an open question. In the present work we calculate these two parameters from conductivity data as a function of temperature below and above the glass transition temperature, T. T ... [J. Chem. Phys. 132, 034704 (2010)] published Thu Jan 21, 2010. (Source: Journal of Chemical Physics)

Tubo-ovarian abscess in woman with an intrauterine device forgotten for 22 years

Gynecological Surgery — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:21:07 +0100

We report on a case of pelvic inflammatory disease in a 53 year old woman using an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) for a time period of 22 years. Clinical symptoms were fever up to 38°C and severe abdominal pain. Endoscopic findings were a tubo-ovarian abscess of the complete pelvis and a forgotten IUD with a smear positive for Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The patient was treated with a surgical therapy and by antibiotic combination. Diagnosis was performed by histopathological examination. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical PracticeDOI 10.1007/s10397-009-0550-yAuthors Doerte W. Luedders, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Campus Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160 23538 Luebeck GermanyNektarios Chal...

Epidemiology of invasive mycoses in north america.

Critical Reviews in Microbiology — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:10:03 +0100

Authors: Pfaller MA, Diekema DJ The incidence of invasive mycoses is increasing, especially among patients who are immunocompromised or hospitalized with serious underlying diseases. Such infections may be broken into two broad categories: opportunistic and endemic. The most important agents of the opportunistic mycoses are Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, Pneumocystis jirovecii, and Aspergillus spp. (although the list of potential pathogens is ever expanding); while the most commonly encountered endemic mycoses are due to Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis/posadasii, and Blastomyces dermatitidis. This review discusses the epidemiologic profiles of these invasive mycoses in North America, as well as risk factors for infection, and the pathogens' antifungal susceptibilit...

Model α-mannoside conjugates: immunogenicity and induction of candidacidal activity

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The effect of Candida cell wall mannan-derived [alpha]-oligomannoside structural components on the modulation of the immune system and their role in protective immunity are studied here. Semi-synthetic [alpha]-mannoside[ndash]bovine serum albumin conjugates were used for immunization of rabbits. Dimeric [alpha]-mannoside, representing Candida antigenic factor 1, was used as a model of linear [alpha]-mannoside, and pentameric [alpha]-mannoside was used as a model of branched oligomannoside side chain structure. The induction of humoral immune response and the functionality of the serum tested by induction of peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) candidacidal activity are documented. Anti-Candida albicans serotype B immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) levels were higher than anti-serotype A following i...

Reducing the Incidence of Denture Stomatitis: Are Denture Cleansers Sufficient?

Journal of Prosthodontics — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This study showed that denture cleansers exhibit effective anti-C. albicans biofilm activity, both in terms of removal and disinfection; however, residual biofilm retention that could lead to regrowth and denture colonization was observed. Therefore, alternative mechanical disruptive methods are required to enhance biofilm removal. (Source: Journal of Prosthodontics)

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Glycine oxidation and conversion into amino acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans.

Amino Acids — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we examined differences in glycine oxidation between C. albicans and S. cerevisiae. Both C. albicans and S. cerevisiae were cultured in glycine enriched media, followed by determination of glycine oxidation and amino acid concentrations in cells. Glycine was degraded to a much greater extent in C. albicans than in S. cerevisiae. Threonine concentrations and glycine oxidation were also elevated in C. albicans. Almost all of the disappearance of glycine from incubation media was accounted for by the formation of serine, threonine, and CO(2) in S. cerevisiae, whereas these products represented only 50% of the metabolized glycine in C. albicans. The unidentified metabolites of glycine in C. albicans, presumably purines, could contribute to its infectious capacity and this warran...

Expansion of the aspartate β-semialdehyde dehydrogenase family: the first structure of a fungal ortholog

Acta Crystallographica Section D — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The enzyme aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (ASADH) catalyzes a critical transformation that produces the first branch-point intermediate in an essential microbial amino-acid biosynthetic pathway. The first structure of an ASADH isolated from a fungal species (Candida albicans) has been determined as a complex with its pyridine nucleotide cofactor. This enzyme is a functional dimer, with a similar overall fold and domain organization to the structurally characterized bacterial ASADHs. However, there are differences in the secondary-structural elements and in cofactor binding that are likely to cause the lower catalytic efficiency of this fungal enzyme. Alterations in the dimer interface, through deletion of a helical subdomain and replacement of amino acids that participate in a hydrog...

Fungicidal activity of anidulafungin in serum from patients does not correlate to its susceptible breakpoint against Candida spp.

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:07:08 +0100

(Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

In vitro activity of antifungal combinations against Candida albicans biofilms

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:07:07 +0100

Conclusions We showed that MICs for planktonic and biofilm forms of C. albicans were much lower when treated with an antifungal combination than when treated with single agents. The combination of amphotericin B/posaconazole yielded synergism against Candida biofilms, whereas amphotericin B/caspofungin yielded indifferent interaction. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)