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An EORTC Phase II study of caspofungin as first-line therapy of invasive aspergillosis in haematological patientsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions Caspofungin provided an observed response rate compatible with the null hypothesis of a true response rate of ≤35%. Underlying disease-related factors had a major impact on results. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)
Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy - November 10, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Viscoli, C., Herbrecht, R., Akan, H., Baila, L., Sonet, A., Gallamini, A., Giagounidis, A., Marchetti, O., Martino, R., Meert, L., Paesmans, M., Ameye, L., Shivaprakash, M., Ullmann, A. J., Maertens, J., on behalf of the Infectious Disease Group of the EO Tags: Original research Source Type: journals

A rescue therapy with a combination of caspofungin and liposomal amphotericin B or voriconazole in children with haematological malignancy and refractory invasive fungal infectionsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Combination treatment of paediatric invasive fungal infections (IFIs) has rarely been reported. A total of 17 children with 19 IFI episodes were enrolled in the study. The median age of the patients was 5.3 (range 0.5[ndash]17) years. IFI was classified as proven in 4, probable in 12 and possible in 3 episodes. These patients received empiric antifungal treatment, which consisted of liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) monotherapy for a median duration of 12 days (range 3[ndash]69 days). All patients were refractory to LAmB; therefore, caspofungin was added to the therapy in 11 patients. In the remaining six patients, LAmB was ...
Source: Mycoses - November 10, 2009 Category: Research Authors: Deniz Yilmaz, Can Balkan, Yilmaz Ay, Mehmet Akin, Bulent Karapinar, Kaan Kavakli Source Type: journals

An EORTC Phase II study of caspofungin as first-line therapy of invasive aspergillosis in haematological patients.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Viscoli C, Herbrecht R, Akan H, Baila L, Sonet A, Gallamini A, Giagounidis A, Marchetti O, Martino R, Meert L, Paesmans M, Ameye L, Shivaprakash M, Ullmann AJ, Maertens J; on behalf of the Infectious Disease Group of the EORTC. (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)
Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles - November 6, 2009 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: consumer

Susceptibility testing of Candida species to echinocandins: comparison of EUCAST EDef 7.1, CLSI M27-A3, Etest, disk diffusion and agar-dilution using RPMI and IsoSensitest medium.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In conclusion, no test was perfect but anidulafungin susceptibility testing using WT-UL to define susceptibility reliably identified fks hot spot mutants. PMID: 19884370 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy)
Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy - November 2, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Arendrup MC, Garcia-Effron G, Lass-Flörl C, Gomez Lopez A, Rodriguez-Tudela JL, Cuenca-Estrella M, Perlin DS Tags: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Source Type: journals

Continuous infusion of amphotericin B deoxycholate: an innovative, low-cost strategy in antifungal treatmentEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The combination of amphotericin B and sodium deoxycholate is the formulation most used in clinical practice. The development of new agents such as amphotericin with lipid formulations, caspofungin, voriconazole and other azolic derivatives, promoted alternatives to amphotericin B deoxycholate. However, because of the high cost of these new drugs, their use is difficult in a scenario of limited resources. A few strategies have been devised to make the use of amphotericin B deoxycholate less toxic. In this review, we seek to describe the accumulated knowledge about this molecule, with focus on its use in continuous infusion,...
Source: Mycoses - October 28, 2009 Category: Research Authors: Diego R. Falci, Rodrigo P. dos Santos, Fernanda Wirth, Luciano Z. Goldani Source Type: journals

invasive aspergillosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia: SEIFEM-2008 registry study.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions Our series confirms the downward trend in mortality rates reported in previous series, with all new drugs providing similar survival and response rates. Recovery from neutropenia and disease stage are crucial prognostic factors. Efficacious antifungal drugs bridge the gap due to poor hematological and immunological reconstitution. PMID: 19850903 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Haematologica)
Source: Haematologica - October 22, 2009 Category: Hematology Authors: Pagano L, Caira M, Candoni A, Offidani M, Martino B, Specchia G, Pastore D, Stanzani M, Cattaneo C, Fanci R, Caramatti C, Rossini F, Luppi M, Potenza L, Ferrara F, Mitra ME, Fadda RM, Invernizzi R, Aloisi T, Picardi M, Bonini A, Vacca A, Chierichini A, Me Tags: Haematologica Source Type: journals

Micafungin appears to be cost saving versus caspofungin when used to treat candidaemia and invasive candidiasisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News)
Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News - October 19, 2009 Category: Health Management Tags: Research article Source Type: journals

Assessment of the In-vitro Kinetic Activity of Caspofungin against Candida glabrata.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The objective was to evaluate the in vitro activity of caspofungin alone and in combination against C. glabrata. In vitro assays demonstrated that caspofungin alone showed excellent fungicidal activity against C. glabrata, including fluconazole-resistant strains. The combination of caspofungin/azoles showed potential synergy against C. glabrata. Overall, caspofungin demonstrated excellent in vitro activity alone and in combination against strains of C. glabrata. PMID: 19841143 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy)
Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy - October 18, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Nagappan V, Boikov D, Vazquez JA Tags: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Source Type: journals

High rate of breakthrough invasive aspergillosis among patients receiving caspofungin for persistent fever and neutropeniaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Lafaurie M, Lapalu J, Raffoux E, Breton B, Lacroix C, Socié G, Porcher R, Ribaud P, Touratier S, Molina JM (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)
Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles - October 4, 2009 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: consumer

Comparison of antifungal MICs for yeasts obtained using the EUCAST method in a reference laboratory and the Etest in nine different hospital laboratoriesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Clin Microbiol Infect In routine laboratory practice, the determination of MICs of antifungals for yeasts often relies on the Etest, because of a good correlation with reference methods. However, this correlation was established through predesigned studies, rather than prospective testing. The surveillance programme of fungaemia (YEASTS programme), implemented since 2003, facilitated our comparison of the Etest and the EUCAST results, obtained on a routine basis in nine different hospitals and in a reference laboratory, respectively. The analysis included 690 isolates recovered from blood culture (362 Candida albicans, 113...
Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection - September 23, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: E. Dannaoui, A. Paugam, M. Develoux, C. Chochillon, J. Matheron, A. Datry, C. Bouges-Michel, C. Bonnal, F. Dromer, S. Bretagne Source Type: journals

In vitro interactions between amphotericin B and other antifungal agents and rifampin against Fusarium spp.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, we evaluated the in vitro interactions of amphotericin B with caspofungin, ketoconazole, 5-flucytosine, itraconazole, miconazole, rifampin, fluconazole, terbinafine and voriconazole against isolates of Fusarium spp. using the chequerboard method with interactions evaluated by fractional inhibitory concentration indices. The highest percentages of synergistic interactions were observed for the combinations of amphotericin B and caspofungin (68.7%), amphotericin B and rifampin (68.7%), amphotericin B plus 5-flucytosine (59.3%) and amphotericin B with voriconazole (37.5%). The pattern of susceptibility to antif...
Source: Mycoses - September 21, 2009 Category: Research Authors: T. B. Spader, T. P. Venturini, A. S. Cavalheiro, C. D. Mahl, D. N. Mario, V. M. Lara, J. Santurio, S. H. Alves Source Type: journals

Efungumab: A Novel Agent in the Treatment of Invasive Candidiasis (November).Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
CONCLUSIONS: Efungumab is a new antifungal agent with a novel mechanism of action. Available clinical data and synergy studies support the use of efungumab in combination with other antifungal agents for the treatment of IC. Further safety data are needed before formulary recommendations can be made. PMID: 19773528 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy)
Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy - September 21, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Karwa R, Wargo KA Tags: Ann Pharmacother Source Type: journals

Efficacy of caspofungin and itraconazole as secondary antifungal prophylaxis: analysis of data from a multinational case registryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Vehreschild JJ, Sieniawski M, Reuter S, Arenz D, Reichert D, Maertens J, Böhme A, Silling G, Martino R, Maschmeyer G, Rüping MJ, Ullmann AJ, Cornely OA (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)
Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles - September 14, 2009 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: consumer

Identification of novel cell wall destabilizing antifungal compounds using a conditional Aspergillus nidulans protein kinase C mutantEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions This work demonstrates the feasibility of using a conditional Aspergillus mutant to conduct a small-molecule library screen to identify novel ‘hit’ compounds affecting cell wall integrity. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)
Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy - September 8, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Mircus, G., Hagag, S., Levdansky, E., Sharon, H., Shadkchan, Y., Shalit, I., Osherov, N. Tags: Original research Source Type: journals

Intraocular penetration of voriconazole and caspofungin in a patient with fungal endophthalmitisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)
Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy - September 8, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Spriet, I., Delaere, L., Lagrou, K., Peetermans, W. E., Maertens, J., Willems, L. Tags: Research letters Source Type: journals

In Candida albicans, resistance to flucytosine and terbinafine is linked to MAT locus homozygosity and multilocus sequence typing clade 1Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
A panel of 637 isolates of Candida albicans that had been typed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and tested for susceptibility to amphotericin B, caspofungin, fluconazole, flucytosine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, terbinafine and voriconazole was the material for a statistical analysis of possible associations between antifungal susceptibility and other properties. For terbinafine and flucytosine, the greatest proportion of low-susceptibility isolates, judged by two resistance breakpoints, was found in MLST clade 1 and among isolates homozygous at the MAT locus, although only three isolates showed cross-resi...
Source: FEMS Yeast Research - September 6, 2009 Category: Research Authors: Frank C. Odds Source Type: journals

Case report: H1N1 pneumonitis treated with intravenous zanamivirEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Source: Lancet Area: News This case report describes a 22-year old woman with neutropenia following chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease, who developed pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza virus infection not responding to oseltamivir 75 mg twice daily and broad-spectrum antimicrobials (meropenem, teicoplanin, and caspofungin). Her condition deteriorated and she was admitted to ITU, requiring ventilation. Despite 6 days of nasogastric oseltamivir, high level H1N1 RNA was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on day 10. As there were high volume gastric aspirates, this was replaced by nebulised ...
Source: NeLM - News - September 3, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: organizations

Updated national IV monograph on caspofungin (Cancidas®)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Source: Medusa Area: News An updated IV monograph on caspofungin (Cancidas®) is now available from the NHS injectable medicines guide website (Medusa) at the link below (registration required for access). (Source: NeLM - News)
Source: NeLM - News - September 1, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: organizations

Echinocandins: The Newest Class of Antifungals (October) (CE).Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
CONCLUSIONS: Echinocandins, the newest addition to the arsenal of antifungals, offer potential advantages over other classes of agents. Clinicians should assess their distinguishing characteristics, including route of metabolism, drug interaction profile, and approved indications for use, when determining which agent to include on a formulary. PMID: 19724014 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy)
Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy - August 31, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Sucher AJ, Chahine EB, Balcer HE Tags: Ann Pharmacother Source Type: journals

Efficacy of caspofungin and itraconazole as secondary antifungal prophylaxis: analysis of data from a multinational case registryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Patients surviving invasive fungal disease (IFD) and needing further antineoplastic chemotherapy are at high risk of recurrent fungal infection. In the absence of randomised controlled trials in this area, secondary prophylactic regimens are diverse. From 448 patients registered with the Multinational Case Registry of Secondary Antifungal Prophylaxis, we performed an analysis of patients receiving caspofungin (CAS) or itraconazole (ITC). All patients had an underlying haematological malignancy and had been diagnosed with an episode of IFD earlier in their course of treatment. Data collected comprised demographics...
Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents - August 24, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Jörg J. Vehreschild, Michal Sieniawski, Stefan Reuter, Dorothee Arenz, Dietmar Reichert, Johan Maertens, Angelika Böhme, Gerda Silling, Rodrigo Martino, Georg Maschmeyer, Maria J.G.T. Rüping, Andrew J. Ullmann, Oliver A. Cornely Tags: Full length articles Source Type: journals

Caspofungin: Acute liver failure in an infant: case reportEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Reactions)
Source: Reactions - August 24, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Short communication Source Type: journals

Prevalence rates and antifungal susceptibility profiles of the Candida parapsilosis species complex: results from a nationwide surveillance of candidaemia in BrazilEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Clin Microbiol Infect The genetically heterogeneous taxon Candida parapsilosis was recently reclassified into three species: Candida parapsilosis, Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis. The prevalences of these species among 141 bloodstream isolates tested in Brazil were 88% for C. parapsilosis, 9% for C. orthopsilosis, and 3% for C. metapsilosis. Except for three C. orthopsilosis isolates that were considered resistant to 5-flucytosine, all isolates representing the different species of this complex were susceptible to polyenes, triazoles and caspofungin. (Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection)
Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection - August 17, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: S. S. Gonçalves, C. S. Amorim, M. Nucci, A. C. B. Padovan, M. R. S. Briones, A. S. A. Melo, A. L. Colombo Source Type: journals

In vitro analysis of the occurrence of a paradoxical effect with different echinocandins and Candida albicans biofilmsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The echinocandins have excellent in vitro activity against Candida albicans biofilms . The in vitro activities of caspofungin (CAS), micafungin (MFG) and anidulafungin (AFG) against Candida biofilms have been compared with other antifungal agents including the azoles and polyenes . Although each echinocandin exhibits certain unique pharmacological characteristics, all three echinocandins are believed to be clinically equivalent for the treatment of invasive candidiasis. We sought to compare directly the in vitro antifungal effects of AFG, CAS and MFG against mature C. albicans biofilms. (Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents)
Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents - August 11, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Marisa H. Miceli, Stella M. Bernardo, Samuel A. Lee Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Treatment and prevention of Candida albicans biofilms with caspofungin in a novel central venous catheter murine model of candidiasisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions We have developed a novel model of CVC-associated candidiasis in mice. Using this model we demonstrate the efficacy of caspofungin for the treatment and prevention of C. albicans biofilms in vivo. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)
Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy - August 10, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Lazzell, A. L., Chaturvedi, A. K., Pierce, C. G., Prasad, D., Uppuluri, P., Lopez-Ribot, J. L. Tags: Original research Source Type: journals

[Pilot Drug Utilization Study of systemic antifungal agents in the Hospital Clínico San Carlos. Proposal of a study method.]Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions. The method is considered satisfactory for the evaluation of antifungal treatments and is proposed for being used in larger studies. For all the antifungal agents evaluated, a high degree of appropriateness of use was found, though some conditions are considered improvable. Key words: Antifungal agents. Drug utilization study. Study method. Prescription. Appropriateness. Indication. Selection of drugs. Rev Esp Quimioter 2009;22(3):127-134. PMID: 19662545 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia)
Source: Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia - August 9, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Alonso S, Arribi A, Vergas J, Martín M, Arce B, Terleira A, Portolés A Tags: Rev Esp Quimioter Source Type: journals

Zygomycosis in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Prospective, Matched Case‐Control Study to Assess Risks for Disease and OutcomeEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions. The risks identified for zygomycosis and for disseminated disease, including those that were previously unrecognized, have implications for further elucidating the biologic basis and for optimizing outcomes in SOT recipients with zygomycosis (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)
Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue - August 6, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: article MAJOR ARTICLE Source Type: journals

Caspofungin: in pediatric patients with fungal infections.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
black triangle Caspofungin is the first echinocandin to be approved for the treatment of fungal infections in pediatric patients. The antifungal properties of caspofungin result from interference with fungal cell-wall integrity. black triangle In vitro, caspofungin is fungicidal against Candida spp. and fungistatic against Aspergillus spp., but has little or no fungicidal or fungistatic activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, the Zygomycetes, Fusarium spp., or Trichosporon beigelii. black triangle Caspofungin was effective as empirical antifungal therapy in pediatric patients with persistent fever and neutropenia. Al...
Source: Paediatric Drugs - August 4, 2009 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Garnock-Jones KP, Keam SJ Tags: Paediatr Drugs Source Type: journals

Candidemia in patients with hematologic malignancies in the era of new antifungal agents (2001-2007)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The incidence, epidemiology, Candida species distribution, resistance patterns, and outcome of candidemia in high-risk hematologic malignancy and/or stem cell transplantation patients have not been extensively described since the introduction of new antifungal agents.In this retrospective study, the authors reviewed the medical records and microbiologic data of hematologic malignancy patients with candidemia at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from March 2001 to February 2007.The authors analyzed 173 episodes of candidemia (170 patients), 125 (72%) of which were breakthrough cases after prior antifungal...
Source: Cancer - July 23, 2009 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Nikolaos V. Sipsas, Russell E. Lewis, Jeffrey Tarrand, Ray Hachem, Kenneth V. Rolston, Issam I. Raad, Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis Source Type: journals

Invasive Aspergillus fumigatus infection after Plasmodium falciparum malaria in an immuno-competent host: case report and review of literatureEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The patient was successfully treated with voriconazol and caspofungin. This is the first survival of malaria-associated invasive aspergillosis. (Source: Malaria Journal)
Source: Malaria Journal - July 19, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Isabella EckerleDamaris EbingerDaniel GotthardtRalf EberhardtPhilipp SchnabelWolfgang StremmelThomas JunghanssChristoph Eisenbach Source Type: journals

Cancidas (Caspofungin Acetate) - updated on RxListEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Cancidas (Caspofungin Acetate) drug description - FDA approved labeling for prescription drugs and medications at RxList (Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs)
Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs - July 13, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: consumer

Caspofungin: In Pediatric Patients with Fungal InfectionsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Pediatric Drugs)
Source: Pediatric Drugs - July 5, 2009 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Garnock-Jones, Karly P.Keam, Susan J. Tags: Adis Drug Profile Source Type: journals

Caspofungin: In Pediatric Patients with Fungal Infections.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Page: 259DOI: 10.2165/00148581-200911040-00005Authors: Garnock-Jones, Karly P.; Keam, Susan J. (Source: Pediatric Drugs)
Source: Pediatric Drugs - July 5, 2009 Category: Pediatrics Tags: Abstract HTML PDF (290 K) Source Type: journals

Lost in translation: differences in antimicrobial indication approval policies between the United States and Europe.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the indications for most antimicrobial agents were found between the United States and Europe. Because any approved indication can be viewed as scientific evidence, these differences may raise legal issues regarding the treatment of specific entities. To minimize these differences, coordination is needed between the FDA and EMEA regarding the procedures for approving indications. PMID: 19695409 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical Therapeutics)
Source: Clinical Therapeutics - June 30, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Pappas G, Ierodiakonou V, Falagas ME Tags: Clin Ther Source Type: journals

Caspofungin for the treatment of candidaemia in patients with haematological malignanciesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study was prospectively conducted in 11 haematology divisions over a 2-year period to evaluate the efficacy of caspofungin in 24 neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies (HM) and candidaemia. These patients had received chemotherapy for HM and were neutropenic (PNN < 0.5 × 109/L) for a median of 12 days (2[ndash]41) before candidaemia. The patients received caspofungin for a median duration of 12 days (range 6[ndash]26), obtaining a favourable overall response of 58%. At 30 days, 11 patients had died (46%); candidaemia was responsible for mortality in six patients (25%). These results suggest that treatm...
Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection - June 21, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: L. Pagano, L. Fianchi, R. Fanci, A. Candoni, M. Caira, B. Posteraro, M. Morselli, C. G. Valentini, G. Farina, M. E. Mitra, M. Offidani, M. Sanguinetti, M. E. Tosti, A. Nosari, G. Leone, P. Viale Source Type: journals

Biofilm formation and the effect of caspofungin on the biofilm structure of Candida spp. bloodstream isolates.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, biofilm formation by different Candida species, particularly C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis, was evaluated, and the effect of caspofungin (CAS) was assessed using a clinically relevant in vitro model system. CAS displayed in vitro activity against C. albicans and C. tropicalis cells within biofilms. Biofilm formation was evaluated after 48h of antifungal drug exposure and the effects of CAS on preformed Candida species biofilms were visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Several species-specific differences of the cellular morphologies associated with biofilms were observed. Ou...
Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy - June 21, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Ferreira JA, Carr JH, Starling CE, de Resende MA, Donlan RM Tags: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Source Type: journals

Effect of Candida glabrata FKS1 and FKS2 mutations on echinocandin sensitivity and kinetics of 1,3-{beta}-D-glucan synthase: implication for the existing susceptibility breakpoint.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Thirteen Candida glabrata strains harboring a range of mutations in hot spot regions of FKS1 and FKS2 were studied. The mutations were linked to an echinocandin reduced susceptibility phenotype. Sequence alignments showed that 11 out of the 13 mutants harbored a mutation in FKS1 or FKS2 not previously implicated in echinocandin reduced susceptibility in C. glabrata. A detailed kinetic characterization demonstrated that amino acid substitutions in Fks1p and Fks2p reduced drug sensitivity in mutant 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase by 2-3 log orders relative to wild type enzyme. These mutations were also found to reduce the cat...
Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy - June 21, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Garcia-Effron G, Lee S, Park S, Cleary JD, Perlin DS Tags: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Source Type: journals

Oral candidiasis caused by Kodamaea ohmeri in a HIV patient in Chennai, IndiaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Kodamaea ohmeri was isolated from a 38-year-old HIV seropositive woman with pseudomembranous oral candidiasis. The isolate was identified by the API 20 C yeast identification system and confirmed by sequence analysis. Antifungal susceptibility testing done by E-test showed that the isolate was susceptible to voriconazole, amphotericin B and caspofungin. (Source: Mycoses)
Source: Mycoses - June 15, 2009 Category: Research Authors: Thangam Menon, Monica Herrera, Shankar Periasamy, Veena Palanivelu, Rajasekaran Sikhamani, Brian Wickes Source Type: journals

Antifungal activity of miconazole against recent Candida strainsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The objective of this study was to determine the antifungal activity of MICON and comparators against recent clinical isolates of Candida spp. using standard Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute methodology. One hundred and fifty isolates, consisting of 25 strains each of Candida albicans, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. dubliniensis, were tested. Of these, twenty-two strains were known to be FLU-resistant. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for MICON, amphotericin B (AM), caspofungin (CAS), clotrimazole (CLOT), FLU, itraconazole (ITRA), nystatin (NYS) and voricona...
Source: Mycoses - June 15, 2009 Category: Research Authors: N. Isham, M. A. Ghannoum Source Type: journals

In vitro synergistic effects of antituberculous drugs plus antifungals against Coccidioides posadasiiEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro interactions of antituberculous drugs (ATDs) with antifungals against Coccidioides posadasii. Eighteen drug combinations, formed by an ATD (isoniazid, pyrazinamide or ethambutol) plus an antifungal (amphotericin B, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole or caspofungin), were tested using the checkerboard method. All the antimicrobial combinations inhibited C. posadasii strains and synergistic interactions were observed for 10 combinations. Antagonism between the tested drugs was not observed. Stronger synergistic interactions were seen in th...
Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents - June 10, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Rossana de Aguiar Cordeiro, Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira Brilhante, Marcos Fábio Gadelha Rocha, Delia Jessica Astete Medrano, André Jalles Monteiro, Juliane Lira Tavares, Rita Amanda Chaves de Lima, Zoilo Pires de Camargo, José Júlio Costa Sidrim Tags: Short communications Source Type: journals

In vitro analyses of the combination of high-dose doxycycline and antifungal agents against Candida albicans biofilmsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: The potential of antifungal agents used as antimicrobial lock therapy (ALT) for the conservative management of catheter-related candidemia has not been fully defined. We sought to determine the antifungal effect of high-dose doxycycline (DOX), alone or in combination with standard concentrations of amphotericin B (AMB), caspofungin (CAS) or fluconazole (FLC), against biofilms formed by Candida albicans in vitro. DOX alone (at 2048μg/mL and 1024μg/mL) demonstrated up to an 85% reduction of the metabolic activity of the C. albicans biofilm. Regardless of the concentration tested, FLC alone showed minimal activity...
Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents - June 9, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Marisa H. Miceli, Stella M. Bernardo, Samuel A. Lee Tags: Full length articles Source Type: journals

Clinical outcomes of lung-transplant recipients treated by voriconazole and caspofungin combination in aspergillosisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Background and objective: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a serious cause of death among immune-compromised patients such as organ-transplant recipients. Recently, voriconazole has been approved for first-line therapy in IPA. Theoretically, optimal voriconazole blood level (superior to 1 mg/L according to recent studies) should be reached within 24 h. In practice, a significantly longer time seems to be needed in lung-transplant recipients. Therefore, caspofungin is now used in combination with voriconazole to provide cover against Aspergillus spp. infection during this gap. The first aim of this study was to inv...
Source: Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics - June 2, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: A. Thomas, V. Korb, R. Guillemain, T. Caruba, V. Boussaud, E. Billaud, P. Prognon, D. Begué, B. Sabatier Source Type: journals

Breakthrough Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis in a Liver Transplant Patient Receiving CaspofunginEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Zygomycetes are among the most frequent causes of non-Aspergillus mycelial fungal infections in transplant recipients. We have described a single case of breakthrough zygomycosis. A young Japanese woman presented because of idiopathic fulminant hepatitis and renal failure. On the third day of admission, she underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. A considerable amount of red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma were transfused during surgery. On posttransplant day 2, Candida albicans was isolated from respiratory secretions; prophylactic caspofungin was prescribed. During the next 6 days, C albicans was isolat...
Source: Transplantation Proceedings - May 31, 2009 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: A. Ramos, V. Cuervas-Mons, A. Noblejas, I. Baños, P. Duran, R. Marcos, V. Sánchez-Turrión, M. Jiménez, B. Arellano, C. Corbacho, I. Sánchez-Romero Tags: Case Reports Source Type: journals

Microbial Spectrum in Surgical Infections Based on a Microbiological Routine Monitoring over the10-Year Period from 1995 to 2004.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
CONCLUSION: A systematic, microbiological, long-term monitoring is indispensable since i) microbial detection plays a growing role to include the various types of infections in the spectrum of diagnosis for DRG, ii) alterations of the microbial spectrum can only be detected through a long-term observation period (MRSA, fungi) and iii) simultaneously developing antibiotic resistances can be determined (MRSA, ESBL strains in Enterobacteriae, fluconazol-resistant fungi). This can have an infectious, biological, hygienic and cost-determining as well as a health policy relevance among others, with considerable additional costs ...
Source: Zentralblatt fur Chirurgie - May 31, 2009 Category: Surgery Authors: Mroczkowski P, Lauf H, Lippert H, König W, Meyer F Tags: Zentralbl Chir Source Type: journals

Successful management of postpneumonectomy Aspergillus pleural empyema by combined surgical and anti-fungal treatment with voriconazole and caspofunginEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Aspergillus pleural empyema is a rare but often fatal infection complicating thoracic surgery. Three men and one woman aged 23[ndash]47 years were diagnosed with Aspergillus pleural empyema after lung resection. Underlying diseases were lung cancer (n = 2), Hodgkin's disease (n = 1) and thoracic trauma (n = 1). The treatment protocol consisted of systemic anti-fungal treatment with caspofungin and voriconazole, intrapleural application of amphotericin B and surgical debridement with secondary closure of the leaking bronchial stump. Two patients with chronic Aspergillus pleural empyema had been pretreated with itraconazole ...
Source: Mycoses - May 30, 2009 Category: Research Authors: H. Bonatti, C. Lass-Floerl, K. Angerer, N. Singh, M. Lechner, I. Stelzmueller, R. Singh, T. Schmid, C. Geltner Source Type: journals

Prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Candida lusitaniae, an uncommon pathogen: a case reportEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The infection was lethal despite aggressive medical and surgical management and sterilization of blood cultures. The outcome of our case illustrates the need to recognize Candida lusitaniae fungemia as a life-threatening infection in a patient with a prosthetic aortic valve. (Source: Journal of Medical Case Reports)
Source: Journal of Medical Case Reports - May 18, 2009 Category: Journals (General) Source Type: journals

High caspofungin levels in alveolar cells of a lung transplant patient with suspected pulmonary aspergillosisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Opportunistic invasive fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients, for example following transplantation of stem cells or solid body organs such as lung, liver, kidney or heart. Caspofungin acetate, the first echinocandin approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001, has a wide spectrum of activity against many clinically important fungi, including Aspergillus and Candida spp. . It has been studied extensively in numerous randomised clinical trials. The substance has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of oesophageal and oropharyngeal candidiasis ...
Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents - May 14, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Olaf Burkhardt, Sebastian Ellis, Heike Burhenne, Volkhard Kaever, Johannes Hadem, Jan T. Kielstein, Tobias Welte Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Economic impact of caspofungin as compared with liposomal amphotericin B for empirical therapy in febrile neutropenia in AustraliaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions This is the first economic study to evaluate the place of caspofungin as empirical therapy in Australia. Caspofungin is more cost-beneficial than LAmB, which contradicts the current Australian guidelines of recommending LAmB as the first choice for empirical therapy. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)
Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy - May 11, 2009 Category: Microbiology Authors: Al-Badriyeh, D., Liew, D., Stewart, K., Kong, D. C. M. Tags: Original research Source Type: journals

A prospective, multicenter study of caspofungin for the treatment of documented Candida or Aspergillus infections in pediatric patientsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Zaoutis TE, Jafri HS, Huang LM, Locatelli F, Barzilai A, Ebell W, Steinbach WJ, Bradley J, Lieberman JM, Hsiao CC, Seibel N, Laws HJ, Gamba M, Petrecz M, Taylor AF, Strohmaier KM, Chow JW, Kartsonis NA, Ngai AL (Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles)
Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles - May 8, 2009 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: consumer

[Keratomycosis: diagnosis and therapy.]Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Diagnosis of fungal keratitis is only straightforward if it presents in its typical form with pyramidal-shaped hypopyon, prominent geographical corneal infiltration and satellites. However, in contact-lens wearers clinical presentation is untypical at early infection. Corneal debridement is therefore necessary, which simultaneously facilitates penetration of the antimycotic into the corneal stroma. At present, voriconazole is the medication of choice, if not changed after microbiological diagnosis to a specifically more potent substance - e.g. posaconazole or caspofungin. Amphotericin B may be used for repeated intraca...
Source: Der Ophthalmologe - April 30, 2009 Category: Opthalmology Authors: Behrens-Baumann W Tags: Ophthalmologe Source Type: journals