Outcome in critically ill patients with candidal fungaemia: Candida albicans vs. Candida glabrata

In a retrospective study (1 January 1992-12 December 1998), we investigated population characteristics and outcome in critically ill patients with fungaemia involving C. albicans (n=41) and C. glabrata (n=15). Patients with C. glabrata fungaemia were significantly older compared with patients in the C. albicans group (P=0.024). There were no other differences in population characteristics or severity of illness. Logistic regression analysis showed age (P=0.021), the presence of a polymicrobial blood stream infection (P=0.039), and renal failure (P=0.044) to be independent predictors of mortality. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between the C. glabrata and C. albicans groups (60.0% vs. 41.5%; P=0.24). Since age was an independent predictor of mortality, the trend towards a higher mortality in patients with C. glabrata can be explained by this population being significantly older. In conclusion, we found no difference in mortality between patients with fungaemia involving C. albicans and C. glabrata.     

血流感染假丝酵母菌菌种构成及其药物敏感性

目的分析某院假丝酵母菌血流感染菌种构成及其对抗真菌药物的敏感性,为临床预防和治疗假丝酵母菌血流感染提供依据。方法回顾性分析2009-2013年该院临床科室送检血标本中检出的假丝酵母菌,并对假丝酵母菌血流感染的高危因素进行分析。结果2009-2013年42例患者血标本分离假丝酵母菌42株,以近平滑假丝酵母菌为主（20株,47.62%）,其次为白假丝酵母菌（16株,38.10%）、热带假丝酵母菌（4株,9.52%）、光滑假丝酵母菌（2株,4.76%）。来源科室主要为：急诊监护病房（EICU,11株）、泌尿外科（9株）、心胸外科（8株）等。37例（占88.10%）患者静脉导管与血标本培养出相同的假丝酵母菌,留置静脉导管至血培养阳性和导管培养阳性的平均时间分别为31.47 d和33.18 d;导管和血培养阳性比例随着置管时间的延长均呈上升趋势（均P＜0.001）。检出的假丝酵母菌对氟康唑、伏立康唑的敏感率均为75.00%～100.00%,对两性霉素B的敏感率均为100.00%;而不同菌种对伊曲康唑的敏感率存在较大差异（0～87.50%）。结论该院假丝酵母菌血流感染菌株以近平滑假丝酵母菌为主,且与静脉导管的使用有关,其对氟康唑、两性霉素B、伏立康唑的敏感性均较高。     

导管相关性血流感染患者酵母菌属感染耐药性分析

目的了解导管相关性血流感染(CRBSI)患者的酵母菌属感染情况及其耐药性,为有效控制酵母菌属感染及合理用药提供参考依据。方法选取2009-2012年219例酵母菌属感染的CRBSI患者,对送检标本进行细菌培养及药敏试验,采用Whonet5.5软件进行统计分析。结果 2009-2012年CRBSI患者酵母菌属感染率逐年增加,其分布为2009年21株、2010年40株、2011年58株、2012年100株;气管插管、皮肤创面引流管、尿管和静脉留置导管导致的CRBSI是主要感染因素,分别占29.7%、25.1%、21.5%、14.6%;抗真菌药物对深部真菌的敏感性分布有明显的种间差异。结论酵母菌属感染导致的导管相关性血流感染率逐年增加,加强CRBSI的酵母菌属耐药性监测,合理使用抗真菌药物,以减缓或避免耐药菌株的出现。     

Inhibition of adherence of Candida albicans to acrylic by a chitin derivative

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a chitin derivative (CSE) on the adherence of Candida albicans to acrylic. Fungal adherence to acrylic dentures is considered an essential step in the development of denture stomatitis. Adherence of C. albicans to acrylic pieces (5 × 5mm) was assessed microscopically using a calibrated ocular objective and expressed as number of adherent yeasts/mm² of acrylic.CSE was prepared from commercial chitin (crab shell) and from chitin isolated from C. albicans blastospores. The effect of both CSE types on the adherence of C. albicans to acrylic was examined in two experimental systems: CSE present during the adherence assay and acrylic pieces pretreated with CSE prior to the assay. Both CSE types exerted a significant inhibitory effect when tested in the two experimental systems.These findings are significant for possible prevention of denture stomatitis.Based on a thesis submitted to the Department of Human Microbiology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.Sc. degree.     

Aeromonas spp. and traveler's diarrhea: clinical features and antimicrobial resistance

Traveler's diarrhea is the most common health problem of international travelers. We determined the prevalence of Aeromonas spp. associated with traveler's diarrhea and analyzed the geographic distribution, clinical features, and antimicrobial susceptibility. Aeromonas spp. were isolated as a cause of traveler's diarrhea in 18 (2%) of 863 patients. A. veronii biotype sobria was isolated in nine patients, A. caviae in seven patients, and A. jandaei and A. hydrophila in one patient each. Aeromonas spp. were isolated with a similar prevalence in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Watery and persistent diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps were common complaints. All strains were resistant to ampicillin; showed variable resistance to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and cotrimoxazole; and were susceptible to cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, and nalidixic acid. The persistence of symptoms made antimicrobial treatment necessary.     

上海市2013-2016年门诊腹泻患者弯曲菌流行特征及耐药研究

目的 了解2013-2016年上海市门诊腹泻患者弯曲菌流行特征及耐药情况。方法 2013-2016年,采用膜过滤法对上海市23家医院肠道门诊腹泻病例粪便肛拭标本开展弯曲菌检测,并用常规生化试验和PCR方法鉴定分离菌株。采用微量肉汤稀释法对弯曲菌进行8种抗菌药物（阿奇霉素、环丙沙星、红霉素、庆大霉素、四环素、萘啶酸、泰利霉素、克林霉素）敏感试验。结果 在10 444例腹泻患者粪便肛拭标本中共分离到179株弯曲菌,检出率为1.7%,其中空肠弯曲菌占94.4%,结肠弯曲菌占5.6%。不同年龄人群弯曲菌检出率存在差异,儿童的检出率比成年人高。4-6月和10-12月是弯曲菌的发病高峰。空肠弯曲菌对环丙沙星、四环素、萘啶酸的耐药率高,为96.4%、83.4%、81.7%,结肠弯曲菌耐药率高于空肠弯曲菌,人源弯曲菌存在多重耐药菌株。结论 弯曲菌是上海市腹泻病门诊重要病原体之一,存在不同年龄人群、不同季节的分布差异。上海市人源弯曲菌对环丙沙星、四环素、萘啶酸的耐药情况严重。     

Candida tropicalis fungaemia in adult patients with haematological malignancies: clinical features and risk factors

Candida tropicalis fungaemia is a serious opportunistic infection. Eighteen consecutive patients with C. tropicalis fungaemia diagnosed within a five-year period were studied retrospectively. All patients had haematological malignancies treated by chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Antifungal prophylaxis included nystatin (20 mg daily) for patients receiving chemotherapy, and fluconazole (200 mg daily) for patients undergoing BMT. Sixteen patients had refractory and advanced haematological malignancies. All patients were neutropenic, had central venous catheters, and were receiving treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics at the time of fungaemia. Septic shock with skin emboli were the most common presenting features. In seven cases, fungaemia was preceded by a positive culture ofC. tropicalis in the urine. Concomitant bacteraemia was found in 11 cases, of which six cases were due toStaphylococcus aureus . The overall mortality rate was 56%. The predominance of chemotherapy-treated patients developing fungaemia in this series might be attributable to the omission of fluconazole prophylaxis. The clinicopathologic features and risk factors identified in this study may help design better treatment strategies for this often-lethal complication.     

泌尿系感染假丝酵母菌属的分布及耐药性分析

目的 了解医院感染泌尿系统假丝酵母菌属的分布及其耐药性,为临床治疗及预防假丝酵母菌属的感染提供依据.方法 收集医院2009年所有中段尿培养假丝酵母菌属阳性株,分析其科室分布及耐药性.结果 3500份中段尿培养标本中,有1055份阳性,阳性率为30.1％,其中171份标本检出假丝酵母菌属,检出率为16.2％;主要发生在老年医学科、老年ICU、急诊科及ICU,分别占46.2％、28.1％、6.4％、6.4％;171株假丝酵母菌属对氟康唑、伏立康唑、卡泊芬净、伊曲康唑、5-氟胞嘧啶和克霉素的耐药率分别为62.6％、50.3％、26.9％、11.7％、4.1％和3.5％;两性霉素B和制霉菌素的耐药率均为0.结论 假丝酵母菌属感染在医院感染性疾病中的比例有上升趋势,引发泌尿系感染的假丝酵母菌属多为抵抗力弱的老年患者和ICU患者;对氟康唑耐药率最高;临床应重视对怀疑泌尿系感染的患者进行真菌培养鉴定及药敏试验,以合理使用抗菌药物.     

Unexpected occurrence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants in environmental Aeromonas spp

We searched for plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants of the Qnr type in several water samples collected at diverse locations from the Seine River (Paris, France). The qnrS2 genes were identified from Aeromonas punctata subsp. punctata and A. media. The qnrS2 gene was located on IncU-type plasmids in both isolates, which resulted in increased MIC values of quinolones and fluoroquinolones, once they were transferred into Escherichia coli. The qnrS2 gene identified in A. punctata was part of novel genetic structure corresponding to a mobile insertion cassette element. This identification of plasmid-mediated qnr genes outside Enterobacteriaceae underlines a possible diffusion of those resistance determinants within gram-negative rods.     

European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) prospective survey of candidaemia: report from one Italian region

An ECMM epidemiological prospective survey of candidaemia was performed in one Italian region (Lombardy; population: 8 924 870) by the National Society of Medical Mycology (FIMUA) from September 1997 to December 1999. In total, 569 episodes were reported with an overall rate of 0.38/1000 admissions, 4.4/100000 patient days. Predisposing factors included presence of an intravascular catheter (89%), antibiotic treatment (88%), surgery (56%), intensive care (45%), solid tumour (28%), steroid treatment (15%), haematological malignancy (7%), HIV infection (6%), fetal immaturity (4%). Mucous membrane colonization preceded candidaemia in 83% of patients. Candida albicans was identified in 58% of cases, followed by Candida parapsilosis (15%), Candida glabrata (13%), Candida tropicalis (6%). Septic shock occurred in 95 patients. Crude mortality was 35%, the highest in C. tropicalis fungaemia (44%), the elderly (64%) and solid tumour cancer patients (43%). Intravascular catheter removal was associated with higher survival rate (71 vs. 47%). This survey underscores the importance of candidaemia in hospital settings.     

DNA relatedness,karyotyping and gene probing of Candida tropicalis,Candida albicans and its synonyms Candida stellatoidea and Candida Claussenii

Isolates of Candida albicans with varied phenotypes, including sucrose-negative variants (C. stellatoidea, serotypes A and B) and avirulent germ tube-negative forms (C. claussenii) showed significant (> 90%) DNA relatedness to classical C. albicans, but insignificant relatedness to C. tropicalis and sucrose-negative C. tropicalis. A transverse alternating-field gel electrophoresis procedure (TAFE) showed discrete karyotype patterns among the phenotypic variants of C. albicans including the sucrose-negative C. stellatoidea. The number of chromosome-sized DNA bands for C. tropicalis (7 bands) were within the range of bands observed for C. albicans (5 to 10 bands). The general DNA-migration pattern for C. albicans appeared distinct from that of C. tropicalis. An aspartyl proteinase (PrA) gene probe from C. albicans hybridized with chromosomal DNA from C. albicans, C. claussenii and C. stellatoidea but not with that from C. tropicalis.     

The secretion of aspartyl proteinase,a virulence enzyme,by isolates of Candida albicans from the oral cavity of HIV-infected subjects

Prevalence, serotype and in vitro secretion of aspartyl proteinase, a virulence enzyme, were studied in Candida isolates from the oral cavity of 337 HIV-infected subjects. Controls were 95 age-sex-matched HIV- (seronegative) subjects, belonging to either HIV-risk categories (47) or to the normal, general population (48). Fungi were isolated from 155 HIV+ subjects. C. albicans was the most prevalent species (85.8% of all isolates). 94.6% of C. albicans isolates were serotype A and all were agglutinated by a monoclonal antibody (AF1) directed against a major mannoprotein immunogen of the candidal cell wall, confirming previous results with C. albicans isolates from non-immunodeficient subjects. With regard to the stage of HIV infection, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of oral Candida carriage between asymptomatic (stage II) HIV+ and HIV- subjects, and between stage II and lymphadenopathic (stage III) individuals. Also, the low (3.8%) incidence of oral candidiasis in the subjects of the latter stage was insignificant with respect to stage II subjects. However, the incidence of C. albicans in stage IV (AIDS) subjects (46.8%) was significantly higher than in all other subjects, and in almost all cases, fungal isolation was accompanied by oral thrush and lower CD4+ lymphocyte counts (< 400 × 10°/L).All isolates of C. albicans were proteolytic in vitro, as assessed by scoring the proteinase activity on BSA agar and monitoring the secreted proteinase antigen by a highly sensitive (1 ng) and specific immunoenzymatic assay. However, by both methods, the isolates from subjects at stages III and IV of infection produced more secretory proteinase than the isolates from either HIV+ asymptomatic subjects or HIV- controls. The differences could not be attributed to particular culture media or source of Candida isolation (carriage versus active infection). Thus, the isolates of C. albicans from advanced HIV infection are serologically similar but more proteolytic than the isolates from earlier stages of HIV infection or those from HIV-uninfected subjects. The apparently higher virulence of C. albicans from AIDS subjects may represent a co-factor in determining and/or aggravating oral candidiasis in these patients.     

Salmonella serotype Virchow causing salmonellosis in a Spanish region. Characterization and survey of clones by DNA fingerprinting, phage typing and antimicrobial resistance

The diversity of Salmonella serotype Virchow organisms causing human salmonellosis in a Spanish region over 1990–1996 was studied by genetic and phenotypic procedures. Isolates showing identical DNA fingerprintings (ribotypes, RAPD-, REP- and ERIC-types) were clustered into the same lineage. Eight lineages were defined, of which only one caused diseases throughout the studied period. Eleven phage types (PTs) were represented, the most frequent being PTs 8, 19, 31, throughout the study period, and PT4a only during 1994. Class I integrons with variable regions of 1000-, 1600-, and 2300-bp in size were respectively present in 24, 3 and 5 multiresistant isolates; 43.5% of isolates were susceptible to antimicrobials, the rest were grouped into 17 R-profiles, including from one up to eight resistances. Plasmids could be recovered from 71.5% of isolates and grouped into 25 plasmid profiles (with 1–7 plasmids each); a 3.6 kb cryptic-plasmid and a 60 kb virulence-plasmid were those most frequently found. Phage type, presence and size of integrons, and resistance profile were used to differentiate 39 clones. During the period studied 135 cases of Virchow salmonellosis were identified; 93 were apparently sporadic whereas the remainder were associated with four outbreaks. Infants under 1 year constituted the most frequent age group, with 30 gastroenteritis and two septicaemia episodes. In the four outbreaks, different clones falling into the prevalent lineage were implicated but each clone was involved in only one outbreak.     

山东省腹泻病人携带耶尔森菌HPI毒力岛大肠杆菌的调查

目的 了解携带耶尔森菌HPI毒力岛的大肠杆菌的易感人群、感染率、临床症状、分离率。方法 对4个医院1997年6～11月就诊泻患者,进行流行病学调查并收集大便标本,进行细菌分离和鉴定。结果 在671例腹泻病人中,共检出20个属种449株致病毒,志贺菌检出率为25.48%,致泻性大肠杆菌为15.05%,对于176株疑似产志贺样毒素且具侵袭大肠杆菌(ESIEC)菌株采用irp-2、irp-B基因探针进行菌落原位杂交,检出42株携带HPI毒力岛的大肠杆菌。与42株携带HPI毒力岛的大肠杆菌相关的腹泻病人所表现的临床症状为食欲不振、腹痛、腹泻、寒战、乏力、体温正常或低热,粪例多为粘液便或水样便,日腹泻次数超过6次以上者为33例,占78.57%。各年龄组均有感染,10岁以下儿童为主,占33.33%.结论 自671例腹泻病人的粪便标本中,分离到的志贺菌占首位,致泻性大肠杆菌次之;在致泻性大肠杆菌以携带耶尔森菌HPI毒力岛的大肠杆菌为主(6.26%)。     

急性期卒中相关性肺炎的病原菌及其耐药性

目的了解急性期脑卒中患者肺部感染的病原菌构成及耐药情况,指导临床抗菌药物的使用。方法回顾性调查2008-2013年某三级甲等综合医院收治的卒中相关性肺炎（SAP）患者,分析其痰培养病原菌构成及药敏试验结果。结果共调查SAP患者98例,痰标本中共分离病原菌124株,其中革兰阴性（G-）菌75株（占60.48%）,革兰阳性（G+）菌44株（占35.49%）,真菌5株（占4.03%）。存在混合感染的患者21例（21.43%）,治疗过程中出现细菌变更者23例（23.47%）。检出菌株数居前4位的依次为金黄色葡萄球菌（43株,占34.68%）、肺炎克雷伯菌（19株,占15.32%）、铜绿假单胞菌及鲍曼不动杆菌（各18株,各占14.52%）。肺炎克雷伯菌对常见抗菌药物的耐药率均＜32%,对头孢他啶、哌拉西林/他唑巴坦、亚胺培南、环丙沙星、左氧氟沙星、阿米卡星、妥布霉素均100%敏感。鲍曼不动杆菌及铜绿假单胞菌均呈现严重的多重耐药（MDR）现象,鲍曼不动杆菌对头孢他啶的耐药率＞80%。铜绿假单胞菌对亚胺培南的耐药率为33.33%。真菌中未检出耐药菌株。结论该院SAP患者的主要病原菌为金黄色葡萄球菌、肺炎克雷伯菌、鲍曼不动杆菌和铜绿假单胞菌,且除肺炎克雷伯菌外,其余均耐药严重,临床医生应根据其分布特点及药敏情况合理选择抗菌药物。     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 2,4-disubstituted-1,3-thiazoles as anti-Candida spp. agents

A new series of [4-(4′-substituted-phenyl)thiazol-2-yl]hydrazine derivatives were synthesized in good yield (86-99%) and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, and mass spectral studies. The compounds were assayed for their in vitro broad-spectrum antifungal activity, compared to clotrimazole and fluconazole, against 20 clinical isolates of pathogenic Candida spp., representing five different species. The results showed that the presence of heterocyclic or bicyclic rings on hydrazone moiety in position C2 of thiazole revealed a promising selective inhibitory activity especially against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata.     

Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Campylobacter spp. in Retail Chicken,Western Canada

During 2005–2010, the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance identified increased prevalence of ciprofloxacin (a fluororquinolone) resistance among Campylobacter isolates from retail chicken in British Columbia (4%–17%) and Saskatchewan (6%–11%), Canada. Fluoroquinolones are critically important to human medicine and are not labeled for use in poultry in Canada.     

Mechanisms of macrolide resistance in Ureaplasma urealyticum: A study on collection and clinical strains

Ureaplasma urealyticum is considered as a species which is intrinsically sensitive to macrolides (MIC < 1 g/ml). Nevertheless, some of the strains recently isolated in our laboratories showed moderate to high levels of resistance (MICs ranging from 2 g/ml to 100 pg/ml). In particular, a strain (CT28) isolated from a patient with nongonococcal urethritis long treated with erythromycin revealed a MIC > 100 g/ml for this antibiotic. In order to investigate the mechanisms of resistance, strain CT28 and ten clinical and laboratory U. urealyticum strains were compared for the sensitivity to six antibiotics including three macrolides. Moreover the amount of macrolide uptake and the specific antibiotic binding to ribosomes were studied.Strain CT28 was resistant to josamycin, erythromycin, roxithromycin, lincomycin and clindamycin but sensitive to minocycline. When compared to a sensitive strain, strain CT28 showed a six-fold reduction in intracellular macrolide influx and accumulation and a reduction in antibiotic binding to ribosomes. The mechanisms implicated in these differences may be important for macrolide resistance in U. urealyticum.     

Antibiotic susceptibility and REP-PCR fingerprints of Acinetobacter spp. isolated from a hospital ten years apart

The antibiotic susceptibility profiles and the repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (REP-PCR)-determined genotypes of 109 Acinetobacter strains collected from the University Malaya Medical Center (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1987 (N=21) and 1996-1998 (N=88) were established. Twelve antibiotic susceptibility profiles of antibiotics used at the UMMC were obtained. In descending order of effectiveness, imipenem, amikacin and ciprofloxacin were the most effective against the Acinetobacter strains. Compared with 1987 isolates, the isolates obtained in 1996-1998 had decreased susceptibility to these antibiotics and were tolerant to the antibiotics up to an MIC90 of > or =256 mg/L. REP-PCR DNA fingerprints of all the isolates revealed the presence of four Acinetobacter spp. lineages; 92% of all the isolates belonged to two dominant lineages (genotypes 1 and 4). Genotype 4 isolates predominant in 1987 showed increased resistance and antibiotic tolerance to imipenem, amikacin and ciprofloxacin compared with the 1996-1998 isolates. In contrast, genotype 1 isolates from 1996-1998 were mainly sensitive to these antibiotics. These findings demonstrate the presence of at least two independent Acinetobacter spp. lineages in the same hospital, and suggest the possibility that genotype 4 Acinetobacter spp. acquired the resistance phenotype in situ, whereas most of the genotype 1 isolates were probably introduced to the hospital in recent years.