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In a miniature continuous flow cell system we investigated the influence of voriconazole (VCZ) (27 trials) or anidulafungin (ANID) (five trials) on the antimycotic resistance of C. albicans (type strain SC5314 and three strains from blood cultures). The duration of the trials was up to 10 d. After continuous addition of VCZ or ANID to the media, biomass decreased and glucose levels and pH values increased. After exposure to VCZ, the dry weight of biofilm dropped by 90%. There was no evidence of resistance. No resistance also developed against ANID after 1 day or 3 days of exposure. No viable cells were detected in the biofilm after 5 days of exposure to ANID. Therefore, VCZ and ANID effectively inhibited biofilm formation of different C.albicans strains. Our experiments show that biofilm production is not necessarily associated with development of resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous investigations demonstrated reduced exposure to selected cigarette smoke constituents in adult smokers switching from conventional cigarettes (CC) to an electrically heated cigarette smoking system (EHCSS). This study investigated whether reduced exposure and no smoking (NS) would improve exercise performance. In a 3-period crossover study, 18 male adult smokers (age, 43.6±5.3 years) of CC were randomized to smoke CC (tar, 11 mg; nicotine, 0.8 mg; carbon monoxide, 11 mg), to use EHCSS (tar, 3 mg; nicotine, 0.2 mg; carbon monoxide, 0.4 mg [Federal Trade Commission method]), or to NS for 3 days before performing symptom-limited spiroergometry. NS and EHCSS vs CC resulted in less severe dyspnea (NS, 44.4% [P <.01 vs CC]; EHCSS, 50% [P =.03 vs CC]; CC, 88.9%), higher working capacity (NS, 2.92±0.4 W/kg [P =.06 vs CC]; ECHSS, 2.92±0.4 W/kg [P =.04 vs CC]; CC, 2.86±0.5W/kg), higher peak oxygen uptake (NS, 2694±466 mL O2/min [P =.08 vs CC]; EHCSS, 2830±606 mL O2/min [P =.03 vs CC]; CC, 2682±492 mL O2/min), higher anaerobic threshold (NS, 1324±306 mL O2/min; EHCSS, 1396±312 mL O2/min [P =.03 vs CC]; CC, 1315±290 mL O2/min), and higher maximum rate-pressure product (NS, 30.1±2.7 × 103 mm Hg/min; EHCSS, 2.8 × 103 mm Hg/min [P <.01 vs CC]; CC, 30.7±29.2±3.6 × 103 mm Hg/min) indicating that reduced exposure from tobacco smoke and NS for 3 days may improve cardiovascular function as detected by symptom-limited spiroergometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In November 1839 the young university lecturer Bernhard (von) Langenbeck (1810–1887) published the first description of a fungus as aetiological agent of an oro-pharyngeal and oesophageal candidosis. We present his in English translated paper entitled ‘Finding of fungi on the mucous membrane of the gullet of a typhoid fever corpse’ (Germ.) in ‘ Neue Notizen aus dem Gebiete der Natur- und Heilkunde’ (Froriep). There are interesting particulars in Langenbeck's description and discussion. The publication happened at the same time as that by Johann Lukas Schoenlein about fungi as the cause of the favus lesions. In this time Langenbeck lived at Göttingen. Later he went to Kiel and Berlin and became one of the most prominent surgeons of the 19th century. He sponsored the founding of the German Surgical Society, the Berlin Medical Society and the ‘Archiv für Klinische Chirurgie’. In 1864 he was ennobled. Some of his assistants were Th. Billroth, R.U. Kroenlein, F. von Esmarch, and F. Trendelenburg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed the autopsy records of the Greifswald University Institute of Pathology (located in Eastern Germany) in respect of findings of candidosis and aspergillosis from 1994 to 2003. We also present eight immature aborted fetuses and premature infants with a mycosis. In a total of 2027 autopsies we found 164 cases of invasive candidosis and aspergillosis (8.1%) including a combination of both on four occasions. Other authors cited between 0.7 and 7.3%. In these 10 years in our material mycoses and in particular candidosis increased in spite of slightly decreased numbers of autopsies. The differences comparing the 5-years periods (1994–98 and 1999–2003) are highly significant for both mycoses and candidosis. They are not significant for aspergillosis. A similar relationship was observed in the distribution of mycotic organs and causative origin for candidosis alone. In the last 5 years the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, including the peritoneum, were more frequently infected byCandida. Non-haematological neoplasia and pneumonia as basic diseases more often appeared in cases of candidosis. All eight immature aborted fetuses and premature infants suffered from candidosis. The survey confirms the importance of autopsy as a tool for education and quality control in medical diagnostic and therapeutic activity in the field of mycoses, too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The titres of indirect anti-Candidahaemagglutination test (C-HAT) and specific immunoglobulins C-IgM, C-IgG and C-IgA in 328 intensive care (IT) patients and 166 non-intensive care (NIT) patients were compared by statistical test methods. Positive correlations were found between values of C-HAT and all threeCandida-specific immunoglobulins. At an interval of≤7 days in the first patient group only, the changes in the course of titres were statistically highly significant. For C-IgM the short-term increase of titres can be interpreted in the sense of happened mycotic infection in connection with the clinical picture. In IT patients we found an average increase of C-IgM at 259.3, C-IgG at 174.7, C-IgA at 59.8 U ml−1 and of three titre steps in C-HAT. In our experience of diagnostics ofCandidainfections in intensive care area with non-neutropenic patients the short-term determination of the anti-Candidaimmunoglobulin subclasses C-IgM and C-IgG and of C-HAT as screening test should not be neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical applications andin vitrostudies show that all antimycotics are most effective against infection when applied as early as possible. An early diagnosis is, therefore, essential. At this time for aspergillosis and particularly candidosis, a statement is only possible by combining several diagnostic methods. Inflammatory parameters like procalcitonin, C-reactive protein and proinflammatory cytokines are most important evidence of infection. Antigen tests are more significant by higher sensitivity. Attention should be focused on the detection of mannan by ELISA test,β-glucan and D-arabinitol. Given the present research level in the field of proteomics, the diagnostic importance of transmembranal receptor proteins or other regulatory proteins seems promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstituted multilayered oesophageal epithelium appears to be a good basis to test the efficacy of voriconazole (VOR) and fluconazole (FLU) in the tissue. The resulting model of a Candida oesophagitis was approaching the in vivo situation. We infected the tissue with 2 × 106 cfu of the Candida albicans strain SC5314. In the trials with FLU we also used clinical strains. Four hours after infection a good growth of C. albicans appeared mainly with hyphae on the surface of the tissue and a tendency to invasion. The destruction of the tissue began after 36 h. VOR (2 and 16 μg ml−1, respectively) prevented the penetration of hyphae into the tissue, when it was given 4–8 h after infection. It was less effective in reduction of Candida growth on the tissue surface. When VOR was given 16–24 h postinfection, the Candida infiltration stopped more slowly. Thirty-six hours after infection VOR application could not stop the destruction of the tissue despite reducing the fungi. The results with FLU (32 μg ml−1) were in principle the same, but not so distinct. FLU seems to be more effective against clinical strains of C. albicans than against the type strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mycoses is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Mycoses is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Highlights the fifth congress of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology in Dresden, Germany on June 3-6, 1999. Participants and attendees; Key note speakers; Theme.