Neonatal renal candidiasis

A case is presented of renal candidiasis complicated by obstructive uropathy in a 4 month old infant. Management was successful with surgical decompression combined with peri-operative amphotericin B, followed by 3 weeks of oral ketoconazole and subsequently 6 weeks of oral fluconazole. Fluconazole was substituted for ketoconazole owing to persistant candiduria, and achieved rapid urinary sterilization. Fluconazole is an effective and less toxic alternative to prolonged courses of amphotericin B in the treatment of neonatal renal candidiasis.     

Quantitative analysis of fungal DNA in chronic rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Fungi have been recognized as important pathogens in sinusitis; however, they are equally present in patients with and without sinusitis. The authors postulated that the quantity of fungal DNA in the nose is determinant of disease, is greater in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, and is directly correlated to their quality of life. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective recruitment of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. METHODS: Objective quality of life data were collected using three validated questionnaires: the Sinonasal Outcomes Test (SNOT-20), Medical Outcomes Short-Form 36 Survey (SF-36), and Guy Marks Asthma Questionnaire (GMAQ). Endoscopically guided middle meatus mucosal samples were collected from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and normal control subjects. Fungal-specific polymerase chain reaction was performed on each sample. Every fungal-positive sample underwent fungal-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Statistical analysis was used to correlate fungal DNA quantities with outcomes indices between groups. RESULTS: Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis had a mean SNOT-20 index of 32.0 as compared with a SNOT-20 index of 17.3 (P <.01) in the normal control subjects. There were no statistical differences between the groups' indices for the SF-36 or GMAQ outcomes questionnaires. Four of 19 (21.1%) patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and 7 of 19 (36.8%) normal control subjects had positive findings for fungal DNA using polymerase chain reaction. The median relative quantity of fungal DNA to human DNA for chronic rhinosinusitis and control samples was identical (0.13) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSION: The quantity of fungal DNA in the middle meatus did not differ in patients with and without chronic rhinosinusitis and was not correlated with quality of life outcomes. Therefore, the quantity of fungi does not explain pathogenicity in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. However, because of small sample size, the study must be replicated in a larger patient population.     

In vitro antagonistic activity of monoterpenes and their mixtures against 'toe nail fungus' pathogens

The antibiotic effect of the active ingredients in Meijer medicated chest rub (eucalyptus oil, camphor and menthol) as well as the inactive ingredients (thymol, oil of turpentine, oil of nutmeg and oil of cedar leaf) were studied in vitro using the fungal pathogens responsible for onychomycosis, such as the dermatophytes Tricophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, Epidermophyton fl occosum and Epidermophyton stockdale. The zones of inhibition data revealed that camphor (1). menthol (2). thymol (3). and oil of Eucalyptus citriodora were the most efficacious components against the test organisms. The MIC(100) for mixtures of these four components in various carrier solvents revealed that formulations consisting of 5 mg/mL concentrations of each have a potential to be efffective in controlling onychomycosis.     

个人防护装备高效过滤罐微生物气溶胶防护效果的检测及评价

为了测试个人防护装备中使用的高效过滤罐的微生物气溶胶过滤效率,本研究以粘质沙雷氏菌8039为指示微生物,在实验室中发生气溶胶,分别采集过滤前后的空气样本,根据培养长出的菌落数计算过滤效率。在对该生物防护装备对微生物气溶胶的防护效果做出评价的同时为相应国家标准的建立提供数据资料。     

The definition of Trichophyton rubrum syndrome

Although chronic widespread dermatophyte infection is reported widely in the literature, neither a uniform nomenclature, nor even a clear definition of this syndrome have been established so far. Thus, we suggest Trichophyton rubrum syndrome (TRS) for denomination and define the following obligatory clinical and mycological criteria for TRS. (A) Skin lesions at the following four sites: (1) feet, often involving soles; (2) hands, often involving palms; (3) nails; and (4) at least one lesion in another location than (1) (2) or (3), except for groins. (B) Positive microscopic analyses of potassium hydroxide preparations of skin scrapings in all four locations. (C) Identification of Trichophyton rubrum by cell culture at three of the four locations at least. For diagnosis of TRS the criteria (A) and (B) and (C) have to be fulfilled. This standardization is a prerequisite for further investigations of underlying mechanisms of this disease. The typical clinical pattern of TRS is illustrated by the presentation of two paradigmatic cases.     

深部真菌感染实验室检查方法研究

随着严重免疫缺陷疾病患者及免疫力低下患者的增加,深部真菌感染已经成为一个日益严峻的问题。真菌实验室在深部真菌病的诊断和治疗中发挥着重要的作用,早期、特异的诊断方法是挽救患者生命的关键。为了获得对深部真菌病早期正确的诊断,就目前深部真菌感染实验室检查方法研究进展简要综述。     

A review of the epidemiology of tinea unguium in the community

Tinea unguium is a common, chronic fungal infection of the nails. Many epidemiological studies have looked at the frequency with which this condition is seen in hospital outpatients clinics or mycological laboratories along with other dermatomycoses. Only recently have studies begun to emerge looking at the prevalence of this condition in populations. Hospital and mycological laboratory-based studies give valuable information about tinea unguium prevalence in a particular clinic, but cannot be compared with other studies due to confounding factors inherent in the different people attending individual clinics. From population-based studies the prevalence of tinea unguium lies between 2 and 8%. Tinea unguium increases steadily with age. It is infrequent but definitely found in children. With the increasing life expectancy in the Western world the prevalence of tinea unguium is likely to increase further without adequate prevention and treatment.     

肝移植术后肺部真菌感染的诊断和治疗

目的探讨肝移植术后肺部真菌感染的早期诊断及治疗方法。方法回顾分析20例肝移植术后肺部真菌感染患者的临床资料，分析其原发病、免疫状态、感染真菌的种类及抗真菌药物的应用。结果20例患者念珠菌感染17例，死亡2例，曲霉菌感染3例，死亡2例。氟康唑、伊曲康唑、两性霉素B治疗有效率70％，伏立康唑、卡泊芬净治疗有效率100％。结论肝移植术后真菌感染高发，以危重患者为主要目标人群，发生早，病情重。诊断分三级，达到临床诊断即应及早治疗。治疗以伏立康唑为首选，严重感染者联合应用卡泊芬净效果良好。     

严重烧伤后合并真菌感染的临床分析

目的探讨严重烧伤并发真菌感染的诊疗经验和体会。方法回顾分析2001年～2007年24例严重烧伤并发真菌感染病例的临床资料。结果真菌感染的好发时间为伤后6天～34天,平均15天;常见部位:创面、静脉导管、呼吸道、口腔等;常见菌种:白色念珠菌、光滑球拟假丝酵母菌、曲霉菌、热带念珠菌、近平滑念珠菌等;主要诱因:(1)长时间使用高效广谱抗生素;(2)机体免疫力下降,防御机能严重受损;(3)糖皮质激素的较长时间使用;(4)炎热、潮湿的环境因素;(5)静脉导管长时间留置。24例中,治愈15例,治愈率为62.5%;死亡9例,病死率为37.5%。结论严重烧伤容易发生真菌感染,常与细菌感染并存,窄谱敏感抗生素加氟康唑(大扶康)、积极的创面处理、持续热风干燥治疗及定期翻身是治疗真菌感染的有效方法。