MixedCandida glabrata andCandida albicans disseminated candidiasis in a heroin addict

The case of a white-heroin addict who developed disseminated candidiasis following coinfection byCandida glabrata andCandida albicans is reported. Genomic random amplified polymorphic DNA typing suggested that theCandida glabrata blood isolates originated in the oral cavity of the patient. This case strengthens the evidence thatCandida species other thanCandida albicans can be involved in the pathogenesis of disseminated candidiasis in heroin addicts.     

Leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF) profile in primary and secondary immunodeficiency disease.

Lymphocytes from patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency disease were tested for capacity to produce LMIF after mitogen and antigen stimulation as well as for ability to stimulate and respond in unidirectional MLC-LMIF assay. Different patterns of immune abnormality in vitro were detectable when Con A and Candida albicans antigen were used. In addition, significant abnormalities in LMIF responding and stimulatory capacity were demonstrated in patients with Hodgkin's disease. LMIF production after stimulation with different agents allows for a better characterization of cellular defects in immunodeficiency disease.     

Differential effects of pentoxifylline on the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by monocytes and T cells.

Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a methylxanthine compound known to inhibit the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by monocytic cells. In this study, we found that PTX differentially regulates the production of TNF-alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Indeed, PTX at high concentrations triggers the production of IL-6 but not of TNF-alpha by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Further experiments indicated that monocytes are responsible for this PTX-induced IL-6 production. When PBMC were stimulated with LPS, PTX was found to inhibit the secretion of TNF-alpha as well as the accumulation of TNF-alpha messenger RNA (mRNA). In contrast, no inhibitory effect was observed on the induction of IL-6. Similar results were obtained when PBMC were stimulated with OKT3 monoclonal antibody (mAb). In addition, the in vivo administration of PTX in transplant patients receiving the first dose of OKT3 allowed to decrease the systemic release of TNF-alpha but not of IL-6. Since monocytes represent a major source of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in these settings, additional experiments were performed in vitro on purified T cells stimulated with the CLB-T3/3, an anti-CD3 mAb which does not require the presence of accessory cells to activate T cells. In this system, PTX was found to inhibit the secretion of both TNF-alpha and IL-6 by T cells. We suggest that cAMP could be involved in these differential effects of PTX on production of TNF-alpha and of IL-6.     

Review of nocardial infections in France 1987 to 1990

On the basis of the numbers ofNocardia strains referred to the National Reference Center for Mycoses and Antifungal Agents (NRC), Institut Pasteur, Paris, in the period from 1987 to 1990, it was estimated that between 150 and 250 cases of nocardiosis are diagnosed in France each year. A total of 63 clinical isolates were referred to the NRC and identified asNocardia asteroides (66.7 %),Nocardia farcinica (23.8 %),Nocardia brasiliensis (3.2 %),Nocardia otitidiscaviarum (4.8 %) andNocardia carnea (1.5 %).Nocardia asteroides accounted for 71.4 % of pulmonary infections, 80.0 % of central nervous system infections and 80.0 % of systemic infections. Patients infected withNocardia farcinica died in 57.1 % of cases, compared with 17.6 % of patients infected withNocardia asteroides. Corticosteroid therapy represented a significant factor in mortality. Isolates ofNocardia asteroides revealed variable resistance, whereas isolates ofNocardia farcinica were resistant to most antimicrobial agents. Only amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, imipenem, cefoxitin, kanamycin, amikacin, minocycline and vancomycin showed activity against both species. Nocardiosis caused byNocardia farcinica may be a growing problem because of the relatively high incidence in AIDS patients and the resistance of this species to most antimicrobial agents.     

Effects of spontaneously chosen crank rate variations on electromyographic responses in sub-maximal arm exercise in inexperienced subjects

The aim of the present study was to compare electromyographic responses during arm exercises with a crank rate chosen spontaneously (T_S) or set at 20% below or above (T_–20, T₊₂₀) the spontaneously chosen crank rate (SCCR). Ten male physical education students performed arm exercises with intensities ranging from 20% to 80% of maximal power. Muscular activity levels were analysed for the biceps brachii and the triceps brachii muscles using integrated rectified surface electromyography (iEMG). All values were presented as the mean and standard deviation. During T_S, the sum of iEMG for the two muscles studied was significantly (P<0.05) lower than during T₊₂₀ for each power output. No significant differences were observed in iEMG values between T_S and T_–20. The hypothesis that SCCR relates to a minimisation of muscle activation during an upper body exercise was not confirmed. Variations superior or inferior to a 20% increase of the iEMG responses do not influence it. Moreover, the selection of crank rates depends on the power output and the SCCR increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing power output.