Showing papers in "Medical Mycology in 1986"
TL;DR: The C. albicans isolates which adhered most strongly to buccal epithelial cells had the highest relative proteinase activities and were most pathogenic.
Abstract: Fifty-three isolates of Candida albicans, representing seven strain types, were tested for their proteinase production and this parameter was correlated with adherence to buccal epithelial cells in 23 isolates and lethality to mice for 14 isolates. Variation in proteinase production and adherence existed both among isolates of the same strain type and different strain types. All isolates tested, irrespective of strain type or source, excreted an inducible proteinase and showed a tendency towards epithelial adherence. A correlation was found between adherence, proteinase production and pathogenicity. The C. albicans isolates which adhered most strongly to buccal epithelial cells had the highest relative proteinase activities and were most pathogenic. This was obvious with strain type --C--, which had a higher prevalence than other strain types in both patients and control groups. These results emphasize the role played by some specific properties of certain strains of C. albicans in the pathogenesis of can...
146 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an isolate of Candida albicans from a patient with chronic mucocutaneous candidosis who relapsed during ketoconazole treatment was compared with a number of other azole-sensitive and azoleresistant isolates by tests in vitro and in three animal models of vaginal or disseminated infection.
Abstract: An isolate of Candida albicans from a patient with chronic mucocutaneous candidosis who relapsed during ketoconazole treatment was compared with a number of other azole-sensitive and azole-resistant isolates by tests in vitro and in three animal models of vaginal or disseminated infection In-vitro tests indicated that the isolate was cross-resistant to all imidazole and triazole antifungals tested In the animal models, treatment with miconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole or fluconazole failed to influence the infection
92 citations
TL;DR: A survey of the wild rats in this region was initiated to determine if any of these animals were infected by Penicillium marneffei, but the only rats captured were another species of bamboo rat (R. pruinosus).
Abstract: Fourteen cases of penicilliosis marneffei occurred in persons in the Guangxi region of the People's Republic of China; the first known case of that disease had been found in Vietnamese bamboo rats (Rhizomys sinensis) A survey of the wild rats in this region was initiated to determine if any of these animals were infected by Penicillium marneffei Although R sinensis rats live in the study area, they are relatively rare The only rats captured were another species of bamboo rat (R pruinosus) Of the 19 rats captured, 18 yielded cultures of P marneffei from one or more of their internal organs The implications of this finding in respect to the epidemiology of penicilliosis marneffei are discussed
89 citations
TL;DR: Biochemical studies in whole and broken cells showed that the anti-dermatophyte agent tolnaftate was active against squalene epoxidation in broken C. albicans cells, but was much less potent against whole cells, suggesting there was a barrier to penetration in these yeasts.
Abstract: The anti-dermatophyte agent tolnaftate was compared with the allylamine antifungal compounds naftifine and terbinafine. Tolnaftate was shown to inhibit sterol biosynthesis at the level of squalene epoxidation and squalene was shown to accumulate in dermatophytes grown in its presence. Biochemical studies in whole and broken cells supported this conclusion and showed that the compound was active against squalene epoxidation in broken C. albicans cells, but was much less potent against whole cells. These results suggested there was a barrier to penetration in these yeasts.
66 citations
TL;DR: Collection and separation of mycelial propagules produced by P. brasiliensis was accomplished by agitation with glass beads, centrifugation and filtration through cotton wool and the mean number of conidia liberated per plate and their viability lead to think that it is now possible to undertake experimental studies with these propagules.
Abstract: Collection and separation of mycelial propagules produced by P. brasiliensis was accomplished by agitation with glass beads, centrifugation and filtration through cotton wool. The mean number of conidia liberated per plate (approximately 1 000 000) and their viability (79%), lead us to think that it is now possible to undertake experimental studies with these propagules.
61 citations
TL;DR: The geographical origins of the infected patients were analysed and it appeared that S. hyalinum infection was geographically more limited than H. toruloidea infection.
Abstract: In a survey of 399 patients with superficial fungal lesions who had been born outside Western Europe, 32 cases of Hendersonula toruloidea infection and 11 cases of Scytalidium hyalinum infection were diagnosed. The hyphae of these two non-dermatophytes in skin were indistinguishable from each other but could be distinguished from those of dermatophytes. Both the non-dermatophyte infections were limited to the palms, soles, two webs and nails. The geographical origins of the infected patients were analysed and it appeared that S. hyalinum infection was geographically more limited than H. toruloidea infection.
58 citations
TL;DR: The data suggest that adherence to vaginal mucosa may be an important determinant in the pathogenesis of vaginal infection caused by C. albicans.
Abstract: A spontaneous, cerulenin-resistant mutant of Candida albicans (strain 4918–10) was found to adhere less readily to human vaginal mucosal cells in vitro than a wild type C. albicans (strain 4918). In a murine model of vaginal infection, strain 4918–10 was found to be less virulent than wild type C. albicans, i.e., the infection rate caused by 4918–10 was only 31% of that observed with wild type, 4918. A chitin-soluble extract (CSE) prepared from 4918 blocked attachment of yeast cells to human vaginal epithelial cells, while CSE from 4918–10 did not significantly reduce the attachment of yeasts to vaginal cells. Both 4918 and 4918–10 produced hyphae in vitro and in vivo, were negative for proteinase production and grew equally well at 28°C and 37°C. The data suggest that adherence to vaginal mucosa may be an important determinant in the pathogenesis of vaginal infection caused by C. albicans.
56 citations
TL;DR: Observations suggest a possible role for fibrinogen in fungal colonization processes in vivo in Candida albicans.
Abstract: The binding of human fibrinogen to different morphological forms of Candida albicans (blastoconidia, germ tubes and hyphae) was investigated by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Fibrinogen appeared to bind more strongly to hyphae than to yeast forms, and was detected on the cell wall coat. These observations suggest a possible role for fibrinogen in fungal colonization processes in vivo.
52 citations
TL;DR: Low, reproducible minimal inhibitory concentrations against Candida species, with sharp, precise end points in complex media were achieved for imidazoles and triazoles by including in the test medium antibacterial antibiotics that bind to the 80S eukaryotic ribosome and inhibit protein synthesis.
Abstract: Low, reproducible minimal inhibitory concentrations against Candida species, with sharp, precise end points in complex media were achieved for imidazoles (clotrimazole, econazole, miconazole, tioconazole and ketoconazole) and triazoles (fluconazole, itraconazole, vibunazole, ICI 153066) by including in the test medium antibacterial antibiotics that bind to the 80S eukaryotic ribosome and inhibit protein synthesis, i.e. blasticidin, cycloheximide, doxycycline, neomycin and gentamicin. The presence of these antibiotics reduced MICs, on average, by 50- to 250-fold. Other protein synthesis inhibitors (rifampicin, erythromycin, lincomycin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol and fusidic acid) were not effective, and the antibiotics did not affect MICs for Aspergillus species. The low azole MICs were in close agreement with MICs obtained in a defined, tissue culture-based medium lacking added antibiotics.
48 citations
47 citations
TL;DR: The incidences of the mycoses that are more likely to be opportunistic and/or hospital-acquired infections (candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis) increased in 1980-1982 as did the incidencesof sporotrichosis and actinomycosis.
Abstract: To evaluate temporal trends in the incidence of systemic mycoses resulting in hospitalization, we reviewed hospital discharge data from the Professional Activity Study of the Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities for 1980–1982. In comparison with results from similar studies in 1970 and 1976, the incidences of the mycoses that are more likely to be opportunistic and/or hospital-acquired infections (candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis) increased in 1980–1982 as did the incidences of sporotrichosis and actinomycosis. At the same time the incidences of most community-acquired mycoses (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and blastomycosis) remained stable or declined. These results are consistent with the increasing number of immunocompromised patients with severe underlying illnesses, who are at risk of developing opportunistic mycoses.
TL;DR: A comparative study of the histopathology and the anti-P.
Abstract: We carried out a comparative study of the histopathology (lung, liver, spleen, kidney and adrenals) and the anti-P. brasiliensis humoral (immunodiffusion test) and cellular (footpad test) immune response of mice intravenously inoculated with yeast forms of three P. brasiliensis isolates (Pb 18, Pb 192, Pb 265). Pb 265 (avirulent strain) did not evoke specific lesions or antibody production; the levels of cellular immunity were significantly lower than those of the two other isolates. Lung granulomas induced by strain Pb 18 were richer in fungi and neutrophils and poorer in mononuclear cells when compared to those induced by strain Pb 192. Extrapulmonary lesions were more frequent in mice infected with strain Pb 18. Strains Pb 18 and Pb 192 raised similar humoral and cellular anti-P. brasiliensis responses. Cell wall analysis did not suggest striking differences among the strains. Slightly higher levels of the water soluble fraction 3 (which contains the immunogenic galactomannan and protein) were detected...
TL;DR: A comparison has been made and the relative advantages discussed of quantifying vaginal infections with Candida albicans by sampling with a wire loop and plating on BiGGY agar, sampling by vaginal washing, or removal and homogenization of the vagina followed by dilution and plate counting.
Abstract: Estradiol-treated mice and estradiol-treated ovariectomized rats support vaginal infections with Candida albicans for several months; low-grade uterine infections occur in around half the animals. A comparison has been made and the relative advantages discussed of quantifying these infections by sampling with a wire loop and plating on BiGGY agar, sampling by vaginal washing, or removal and homogenization of the vagina followed by dilution and plate counting.
TL;DR: The later-acting complement components, while appearing to contribute to the early inhibition of the growth of C. albicans in the nonimmune animal, had no adverse effect on the development of specific immune responses, in that delayed hypersensitive responses were equivalent between the two groups and the ultimate outcome of challenge in immunized animals was not affected.
Abstract: Congenic mice, sufficient or deficient with respect to the C5 component of complement, were evaluated for their innate and acquired immune responses to Candida albicans. When unimmunized mice were challenged intravenously and sacrificed at intervals for cultural analyses of kidneys, it was clear that C5-sufficient mice were able to deal more effectively with C. albicans during the first week after challenge than C5-deficient mice. When immunized mice were challenged intravenously to assess the development of protective responses, an intact complement cascade appeared to contribute to the more rapid clearance of fungi during the first few weeks following challenge, but by the fourth week after challenge, the numbers of fungi had decreased significantly in both types of mice and were at levels which were not significantly different. No significant differences were detected in the development of delayed hypersensitivity or Candida-specific antibody between C5-sufficient and C5-deficient mice either. C5-defic...
TL;DR: As variations in the degree of phospholipase activity on repeat testing of isolates was high it is concluded that the latter criterion cannot be usefully incorporated into a biotyping system of C. albicans.
Abstract: The phospholipase activity of 100 oral isolates of Candida albicans was determined by a plate assay. 94% of the C. albicans isolates were phospholipase producers with varying degrees of activity ranging from Pz values of 0.3 to 0.9. As variations in the degree of phospholipase activity on repeat testing of isolates was high it is concluded that the latter criterion cannot be usefully incorporated into a biotyping system of C. albicans.
TL;DR: The enzyme profiles of the major biotypes were identical and one quarter of the C. tropicalis isolates possessed a beta-glucosidase which has not been previously described.
Abstract: 213 oral isolates of Candida albicans and 62 isolates of C. tropicalis were tested for their hydrolytic enzyme profiles with the API ZYM system. One major biotype accounted for more than 50% of the isolates and a number of minor biotypes was recognized in both Candida species. The enzyme profiles of the major biotypes were identical and one quarter of the C. tropicalis isolates possessed a β-glucosidase which has not been previously described.
TL;DR: A subcutaneous fungus infection that occurred in a patient with an acute myeloblastic leukemia was found to be caused by Ochroconis gallopavum (Dactylaria gallopava), and the mycological features of the causative agent were typical of O. gallopvum.
Abstract: A subcutaneous fungus infection that occurred in a patient with an acute myeloblastic leukemia was found to be caused by Ochroconis gallopavum (Dactylaria gallopava). In histological sections dematiaceous, septate hyphae were present. A darkly pigmented fungus was isolated on Sabouraud glucose medium. The mycological features of the causative agent were typical of O. gallopavum. The patient died after 6 months of treatment with antileukemic drugs and 5-fluorocytosine. At autopsy, tissue sections revealed leukemic infiltrates in most of the internal organs but fungal invasion was not detected.
TL;DR: Male ICR mice were challenged intracerebrally with endospores of Coccidioides immitis and then treated with water, fluconazole, amphotericin B (Fungizone), or ketoconazole (Nizoral), and all three drugs markedly prolonged survival and lowered brain colony counts of C. immitis.
Abstract: Male ICR mice were challenged intracerebrally with endospores of Coccidioides immitis and then treated with water (control), fluconazole, amphotericin B (Fungizone®), or ketoconazole (Nizoral®). All three drugs markedly prolonged survival, and all three drugs lowered brain colony counts of C. immitis. Survival of mice treated orally with fluconazole at the high dose was longer than in the ketoconazole treated group. Amphotericin B was more efficacious than fluconazole. Further investigations are needed to determine the efficacy of fluconazole in treatment of coccidioidal meningitis.
TL;DR: Physicians should be cognizant of cave-associated histoplasmosis, inquire about spelunking in persons who develop febrile respiratory illnesses with diffuse nodularities on chest x-ray films, and report such cases to their health department.
Abstract: Three male college students from Florida developed acute onsets of fever, chills, shortness of breath, and cough within one day of each other, and all were eventually hospitalized for four to 29 days. All chest x-ray films showed diffuse reticulonodularities in both lung fields. Laboratory studies confirmed the diagnosis of histoplasmosis. The three students had been 'spelunking' (cave exploring) 6 to 7 days before their onset of symptoms. One of four soil samples collected in the caves was positive for Histoplasma capsulatum by the indirect mouse inoculation procedure. Of three investigators who entered the implicated caves, two developed acute febrile illness within 15-21 days. One investigator was hospitalized for 18 days with a confirmed diagnosis of histoplasmosis. Investigation identified an additional case (the person had entered the caves 6 months before this episode), but was not reported to health authorities. Spelunkers should be aware of the potential risk of histoplasmosis and how to avoid infection. Physicians should be cognizant of cave-associated histoplasmosis, inquire about spelunking in persons who develop febrile respiratory illnesses with diffuse nodularities on chest x-ray films, and report such cases to their health department. A review of 42 reported outbreaks of cave-associated histoplasmosis and the approach to environmental control of infected caves are included.
TL;DR: Sialic acid residues in conidia are linked to galactopyranosyl units as indicated by the increased reactivity of neuraminidase-treated cells with peanut agglutinin.
Abstract: Sialic acids were characterized on the cell surface of conidia and hyphae of Fonsecaea pedrosoi, one of the agents of chromoblastomycosis. Neuraminidase-treated conidia had a reduced negative electrophoretic mobility and, in comparison with untreated cells, bound fewer particles of colloidal iron hydroxide and of cationized ferritin. Sialic acid residues in conidia are linked to galactopyranosyl units as indicated by the increased reactivity of neuraminidase-treated cells with peanut agglutinin. N-acetylneuraminic acid was the only derivative found in the mycelium whereas conidia contained both N-glycolyl- and N-acetylneuraminic acids.
TL;DR: Trichosporon beigelii was isolated from the anal region in 45 (13%) of 343 Danish homosexual men and may pose a threat to homosexuals infected by HTLVIII/LAV virus.
Abstract: Trichosporon beigelii was isolated from the anal region in 45 (13%) of 343 Danish homosexual men. T. beigelii was also present on the scrotal skin of six anal carriers who were accessible for re-examination, and white piedra of the genital hair was observed in two cases. Because T. beigelii may cause systemic infections in compromised hosts it may pose a threat to homosexuals infected by HTLVIII/LAV virus.
TL;DR: It is concluded that there is an intrinsic rather than a fortuitous relationship between sterol composition and morphogenesis.
Abstract: Polyene-resistant mutants of Candida albicans accumulating 14-methyl sterols in place of ergosterol and defective in hyphal growth were isolated after ultraviolet mutagenesis. Analysis of revertants showed that the alteration in sterol composition, the inability to grow as hyphae, and the antibiotic resistance had returned to normal simultaneously. In addition, clotrimazole, which caused accumulation of 14-methyl sterols at a subfungistatic concentration, also inhibited hyphal formation but had little effect on yeast propagation. It is concluded that there is an intrinsic rather than a fortuitous relationship between sterol composition and morphogenesis.
TL;DR: In this article, the in-vivo morphogenesis of C. immitis was investigated by electron microscopic examination of pulmonary lavage and cryofractured lung specimens.
Abstract: BALB/c mice were inoculated by intranasal challenge with viable arthroconidia of C. immitis and in-vivo morphogenesis of the fungal pathogen was investigated by electronmicroscopic examination of pulmonary lavage and cryofractured lung specimens. Samples were prepared at intervals over an 11-day period. Stages of spherule and endospore development were easily identified by scanning and thin-section electron microscopy. Details of morphogenesis of the pathogen in vivo closely resemble developmental aspects reported from in-vitro studies.
TL;DR: A case of systemic zygomycosis caused by Apophysomyces elegans in a 56-year-old man showing presence of broad, nonseptate-to-infrequently septate hyphae in both the bladder lesion and in the septic kidney is described.
Abstract: A case of systemic zygomycosis caused by Apophysomyces elegans in a 56-year-old man is described. The left kidney and the bladder showed presence of broad, nonseptate-to-infrequently septate hyphae in both the bladder lesion and in the septic kidney. Surgical debridement and treatment with amphotericin B cured the infection. No underlying immune defect was ever demonstrated, and the patient was not hyperglycemic or acidotic at any time. This zygomycetous fungus closely resembles Absidia corymbifera, but is distinguished by its distinctive morphological features.
TL;DR: Four cases of disseminated aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus deflectus in German Shepherds are presented and to the authors' knowledge these are the first reported cases of infections caused by A. redirectus in man or animal.
Abstract: Four cases of disseminated aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus deflectus in German Shepherds are presented. Three of the cases, which involved multiple organs, terminated in euthanasia. One case, with bony involvement of the limbs and skull, lived. The unique morphological characteristic of the conidial head resembling a briar pipe led to the identification of A. deflectus. To the authors' knowledge these are the first reported cases of infections caused by A. deflectus in man or animal.
TL;DR: Conidiogenesis that gives rise to multiple, broad-based blastic and thallic-sarcinic conidia characterizes S. phaeomuriformis.
Abstract: Sarcinomyces phaeomuriformis is described as a new species in the genus Sarcinomyces Lindner. Currently, the taxon is known to occur only in Japan as a causal agent of phaeohyphomycosis. The colonies are initially yeast-like, which on aging become dry, granular, heaped, friable and black. The initial growth consists of single cells which form multiple broad-based buds and by a successive budding process produce chains of blastoconidia. In its blastic conidiogenesis, S. phaeomuriformis resembles Phaeococcomyces catenatus. However, mature colonies consist of thick-walled, pale to dark brown muriform cells which develop broad-based buds. The buds, after separating from their parent cells, either bud or enlarge and divide internally by septations laid down in different planes to become muriform. Conidiogenesis that gives rise to multiple, broad-based blastic and thallic-sarcinic conidia characterizes S. phaeomuriformis.
TL;DR: P. brasiliensis conidia were studied for their ability to grow as yeasts or as molds according to temperature and it was found that such conidia shared the ability of the parent mycelium to transform directly into multiple-budding yeast cells at 36 degrees C.
Abstract: P. brasiliensis conidia were studied for their ability to grow as yeasts or as molds according to temperature. Using a microculture system we found that such conidia shared the ability of the parent mycelium to transform directly into multiple-budding yeast cells at 36°C or to produce germ tubes and branching mycelia if kept at 22°C.
TL;DR: The ELISA test has potential utility for the quantitative determination of antibodies in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis because of the technical advantages of the ELISA procedure in comparison with the standard complement fixation test.
Abstract: The ELISA procedure was adapted for quantitation of antibodies against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Using a yeast cytoplasmic antigen and sera from patients with proven paracoccidioidomycosis, we found that 66% of sera reacted at titers ≥1:128. Titers of this magnitude were obtained only for 4–5% of sera from healthy blood donors, tuberculosis patients and patients with other systemic mycoses. The exception was sera from patients with histoplasmosis (36% had titers ≥1:128). Follow-up of 10 paracoccidioidomycosis patients during the course of therapy indicated a gradual decrease in antibody titers. Because of the technical advantages of the ELISA procedure in comparison with the standard complement fixation test, the ELISA test has potential utility for the quantitative determination of antibodies in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis.
TL;DR: The fungus was recovered from biopsy specimens consisting of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue obtained from thermal burn wounds antemortem and from spleen tissue and three burn sites postmortem.
Abstract: Phialemonium obovatum is reported for the first time as an opportunistic fungal pathogen of man. The fungus was recovered from biopsy specimens consisting of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue obtained from thermal burn wounds antemortem and from spleen tissue and three burn sites postmortem. The hyaline hypae of P. obovatum were seen invading viable tissue and blood vessels. The taxonomy of the genus Phialemonium and the criteria for determining fungal burn wound invasion are discussed.
TL;DR: An inherent immune defect is postulated to account for the prolonged and extensive infection by a relatively non-aggressive fungus in a 16-year-old Sri Lankan girl who had had extensive lesions in both arms almost from infancy.
Abstract: Subcutanous granulomatous lesions by hyaline moulds are rare. This report describes a case of hyalohyphomycosis by Fusarium oxysporum. The patient was a 16-year-old Sri Lankan girl who had had extensive lesions in both arms almost from infancy. The fungus was demonstrated in KOH mounts and in histopathological sections. It was isolated repeatedly from her lesions over a period of 10 months. Combined therapy with ketoconazole and 5-fluorocytocine resulted in marked improvement. An inherent immune defect is postulated to account for the prolonged and extensive infection by a relatively non-aggressive fungus.