Clin Immunol Immunopathol, 1987 Jun, 43(3), 281 - 8 The effect of dietary zinc and prothymosin alpha on cellular immune responses of RF/J mice; Salvin SB et al.; Mice of the RF/J strain on a normal diet are defective in some aspects of cellular immunity, as evidenced by their susceptibility to infection with Candida albicans, their failure to release detectable quantities of circulating migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in vivo, and the presence of a low rate of phagocytosis and killing by peritoneal macrophages . When the mice were fed a high-zinc diet (300 ppm) for 4 weeks and then treated daily with 160 ng prothymosin alpha, an increase occurred in resistance to infection with C . albicans, in the capacity to release MIF in vivo into the circulation and in the capacity of peritoneal macrophages to engulf (phagocytose) and kill cells of C . krusei . In addition, the number of spleen lymphocytes producing antibody to a T-dependent antigen was significantly increased in the mice fed a high-zinc diet and inoculated daily with prothymosin alpha. Clin Exp Immunol, 1987 Jun, 68(3), 621 - 9 Abnormalities in the immune system of children with beta-thalassaemia major; Dwyer J et al.; We have studied both the humoral and cell mediated immune systems of 23 children with beta-thalassaemia major . In children who had not been splenectomized, a 3-fold expansion in the number of circulating B cells and a modest polyclonal gammopathy was present . Of these patients 70% had decreased numbers of circulating T4 cells; 83% were unresponsive to skin testing with Candida albicans, and the majority had decreased lymphocyte proliferative responses in vitro . In children who had been splenectomized, there was a 10-fold increase in the number of circulating B lymphocytes and a 2-fold increase in the number of T4 and T8 cells present in peripheral blood . Additionally, these patients as a group were more responsive to both skin testing and lymphocyte stimulation in vitro with Candida albicans . Seven patients had an inverted T4/T8 ratio . One child has positive serology to HIV by ELISA and Western Blot techniques with a normal T4/T8 ratio . Thus, while children with thalassaemia are at risk for exposure to HIV, the immunological abnormalities associated with the disease and/or its treatment necessitates cautious interpretation of any AIDS-related immunological changes. Histochem J, 1987 Jun-Jul, 19(6-7), 333 - 6 The effect of phagocytosis of Candida albicans blastospores on alkaline phosphatase levels in rat polymorphonuclear leucocytes; Lu WH et al.; The phagocytic function of young polymorphonuclear leucocytes with high levels of leucocyte alkaline phosphatase, which are present in the peripheral blood during an inflammatory response, was compared with that of normal polymorphonuclear leucocytes . Candida albicans blastospores were used as phagocytic targets . The phagocytic index of polymorphonuclear leucocytes with low levels of leucocyte alkaline phosphatase was higher than that of cells with high levels of enzyme . Monitoring of leucocyte alkaline phosphatase levels with increasing times of incubation of leucocytes with the blastospores showed a progressive decline in the level of the enzyme . Thus loss of the enzyme is linked to the phagocytic function, although the mechanism of this dynamic process is unclear. Mycopathologia, 1987 Jun, 98(3), 179 - 84 The attachment to human buccal epithelial cells by Candida albicans: an in vitro kinetic study using concanavalin A; Sandin RL; The early in vitro kinetics of Candida albicans attachment to human buccal epithelial cells was studied with the aid of an adhesion assay and solutions of concanavalin A (Con A), a lectin which is capable of inhibiting yeast adhesion . Various saccharides and putative receptor analogues were also tested . Solutions of each single reagent were added to tubes containing aliquots of mucosal cells and germinated yeasts at the beginning of a 1-hour incubation period (time O) or at 10 minute intervals during the assay . The number of yeasts attached to 200 mucosal cells was subsequently determined microscopically . Yeast adhesion remained constant following addition of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at time 0 or at any time thereafter . However, addition of Con A at 0, 10 or 20 minutes of incubation decreased adhesion significantly to 38%, 45% and 63% of control values . This inhibitory effect dwindled as time of incubation prior to lectin addition increased and Con A could not inhibit adhesion significantly after twenty minutes . Results obtained with Con A using live germinated yeasts were similar to those obtained with formalin-killed C . albicans . The other reagents tested failed to decrease adhesion significantly . These included the putative receptor analogues fibronectin, N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and d-galactose, and several non-specific saccharides such as alpha-d-methylglucopyranoside, d-ribose and d-xylose . It is suggested that in vitro attachment to human mucosal cells by C . albicans is inhibitable up to a defined point in time by a lectin with affinity for mannose-containing surface moieties, but becomes non-reversible thereafter . This experimentally-observed irreversibility is independent of yeast cell viability. Scand J Immunol, 1987 Jun, 25(6), 555 - 65 Inhibitory effects of anti-HLA-A, B, C heavy chain and anti-beta 2 microglobulin monoclonal antibodies on alloantigen and microbial antigen-induced immune responses in vitro; Spagnoli GC et al.; The role of HLA class I subunits in class II-restricted immune responses was investigated by means of a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) recognizing HLA-A,B,C heavy chain and different beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2m) epitopes . MoAb against either class I subunit strongly inhibited mixed lymphocyte cultures, generation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte cultures, generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes or natural killer-like activity, and lymphoproliferation in response to soluble or particulate microbial antigens derived from Candida albicans . In general, anti-beta 2m MoAb were more efficient inhibitors than anti-HLA-A,B,C heavy chain MoAb . The inhibitory effects were specific, in that the parental myeloma ascitic fluid or a low-affinity MoAb against beta 2m, or MoAb directed against non-HLA surface structures did not affect any of the immune responses studied . The MoAb-induced inhibition could not be attributed to nonspecific toxic effects, since PHA-induced blastogenesis and IL-2-dependent proliferation of mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) blasts were not inhibited . Furthermore, exogenous IL-2 did not reverse the block of MLC and microbial antigen-induced proliferative responses by MoAb . Taken together, these data suggest an involvement of both subunits of class I antigens in class II-restricted immune responses. J Immunol, 1987 Jun 1, 138(11), 3725 - 30 Early effects of HIV on CD4 lymphocytes in vivo; Giorgi JV et al.; Low circulating CD4 cell numbers and CD4 cell dysfunction are distinguishing features of HIV-mediated disease . The current study delineates the in vivo effects of HIV on distinct functional subsets of CD4 cells in homosexually active men who have been infected with HIV for different lengths of time, and examines the capacity of lymphocytes from these men to proliferate in vitro in response to soluble antigen . Although peripherial blood mononuclear cells from most acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients did not proliferate in response to either tetanus toxoid or Candida albicans, cells from most HIV seropositive men without AIDS, many of whom had been infected for more than 18 mo, responded normally to both . Non-responsiveness in HIV-infected men without AIDS was a late event and was associated with longer duration of infection, lower CD4 cell numbers, and subsequent development of AIDS . A defect in this response was observed in only one of 19 HIV seropositive men whose CD4 levels were greater than 300/mm3, but in eight of 10 with levels less than 300/mm3 . The defect could not be attributed to a selective depletion of defined CD4 subpopulations that respond to soluble antigen . Dual-color immunofluorescent flow cytometry indicated that 4B4+, 2H4-, and HB-11- CD4 cells were not lost at a faster rate than other CD4 subsets. J Korean Med Sci, 1987 Jun, 2(2), 97 - 101 Relationship between Candida albicans producing proteinase (CAPP) and its environmental pH--comparison with a case of trichophyton mentagrophytes; Ko IJ et al.; Candida albicans produced a karatinolytic proteinase (KPase) or C . albicans producing proteinase (CAPP), a proposed new term for this enzyme, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes also produced KPase when cultivated in liquid medium containing human stratum corneum (HSC) as the nitrogen source, but were unable to do so when cultivated in sabouraud dextrose broth . Purified KPase from the culture supernatants of C . albicans had a molecular weight of 42,000 and an optimum pH at 4.0 . The KPase was found to belong to the carboxyl proteinases group and its activity was strongly inhibited by pepstatin . Both fungi were able to grow by secreting KPase which digested HSC for nutrients . KPase from both fungi had high activity in each optimum pH, such as weakly acidic pH on C . albicans and neutral pH on T . mentagrophytes to adapt their surrounding environment by changing the environmental pH into their own optimum pH. Can J Microbiol, 1987 Jun, 33(6), 546 - 50 Effect of cerulenin and sodium butyrate on chitin synthesis in Candida albicans; Braun PC et al.; Experiments were conducted to gain insight concerning the mechanism(s) whereby cerulenin and sodium butyrate affect chitin synthesis in Candida albicans . In vitro studies with isolated membrane-bound chitin synthase from C . albicans, strain 4918, showed that neither agent affected the level of either unactivated or trypsin-activated enzyme activity . Subsequent studies utilizing protoplasts revealed that early in the cell wall regeneration process, cells treated with cerulenin or butyrate synthesized chitin at a rate equal to untreated controls, as measured by the incorporation of {3H}-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) into acid-alkali insoluble material . However, after 40 min of incubation, the incorporation of {3H}GlcNAc into chitin is reduced in cells treated with either agent . On the other hand, samples taken during the same time intervals and analyzed by flow cytometry suggested that the amount of chitin synthesis in treated and untreated cells was identical . A marked decrease in fluorescence was observed in similar experiments using polyoxin D, a direct inhibitor of chitin synthase activity . Experiments that measured uptake of {3H}GlcNAc into both whole cells and protoplasts demonstrated that cerulenin and butyrate had no effect on the transport of the chitin precursor. Ann Ophthalmol, 1987 Jun, 19(6), 207 - 9 A subretinal neovascular membrane as a complication of endogenous Candida endophthalmitis; Beebe WE et al.; A 21-year-old woman developed endophthalmitis and a macular chorioretinal lesion secondarily to a Candida infection . She had been receiving intensive systemic antibiotic and steroid therapy for pelvic inflammatory disease . Blood cultures confirmed a Candida albicans septicemia, and amphotericin B was administered intravenously . As the eye inflammation resolved, healing of the chorioretinal lesion was complicated by the development of a subretinal neovascular membrane . The authors hypothesize that the formation of the membrane was related to an inflammatory alteration of the pigment epithelium--Bruch's membrane--choriocapillaris complex . To the authors' knowledge, this is the first such report following a Candida infection of the eye. Am J Ophthalmol, 1987 May 15, 103(5), 636 - 40 Direct examination vs culture of biopsy specimens for the diagnosis of keratomycosis; Ishibashi Y et al.; In two patients with fungal keratitis, direct examination of corneal biopsy specimens showed positive fungal elements, but cultures of biopsy specimens failed to disclose fungal growth . We compared the value of direct examination and culture of biopsy specimens in the diagnosis of keratomycosis in rabbits with experimental fungal keratitis caused by Fusarium solani, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida albicans . Cultures disclosed seven specimens (70%) positive for Candida and eight (80%) for Fusarium and Aspergillus keratitis, whereas direct examination showed positive fungal elements of Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Candida in all specimens. Laryngoscope, 1987 May, 97(5), 594 - 7 Fungal colonization of tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis; Izdebski K et al.; Laryngectomized patients fitted with tracheoesophageal (TE) puncture voice prosthesis may experience frequent failures in adequate production of neophonation . In some cases, these phonatory problems result from obstruction of the voice prosthesis with various deposits . The nature of these deposits was studied with mycologic techniques and by light and scanning electron microscopy . Candida albicans and other fungal species were identified. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 1987 May, 28(5), 874 - 80 In vitro and in vivo susceptibility of Candida keratitis to topical polyenes; O'Day DM et al.; The susceptibility of Candida albicans to topical amphotericin B and natamycin was evaluated in a model of stromal keratitis in Dutch-belted rabbits and compared with minimal inhibitory concentrations in vitro . Treatment was delayed 24 hr to allow invasive disease to occur and was then continued for 5 days . Ten strains of Candida albicans comprised the test panel . For amphotericin B, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) by tube dilution classified the same strains as resistant or susceptible as did the in vivo response . A dose-response was observed with different concentrations of the drug . For natamycin, the MIC misclassified two strains . The rate of administration of natamycin required in this model was much higher than for amphotericin B, a therapeutic effect being observed with natamycin only when the drug was administered every 30 min during the in vivo efficacy and in vitro susceptibility with these strains is in agreement with that observed in the authors' previous studies using a model of immediate treatment. Blood, 1987 May, 69(5), 1450 - 7 Neutrophil-mediated protection of cultured human vascular endothelial cells from damage by growing Candida albicans hyphae; Edwards JE Jr et al.; Interactions were studied between human neutrophils and cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells invaded by Candida albicans . In the absence of neutrophils, progressive Candida germination and hyphal growth extensively damaged endothelial cell monolayers over a period of 4 to 6 hours, as determined both by morphological changes and release of 51Cr from radiolabeled endothelial cells . Monolayers were completely destroyed and replaced by hyphae after 18 hours of incubation . In contrast, when added 2 hours after the monolayers had been infected with Candida, neutrophils selectively migrated toward and attached to hyphae at points of hyphal penetration into individual endothelial cells (observed by time-lapse video-microscopy) . Attached neutrophils spread over hyphal surfaces both within and beneath the endothelial cells; neutrophil recruitment to initial sites of leukocyte-Candida-endothelial cell interactions continued throughout the first 60 minutes of observation . Neutrophil spreading and stasis were observed only along Candida hyphae and at sites of Candida-endothelial cell interactions . These events resulted in 58.0% killing of Candida at 2 hours and subsequent clearance of Candida from endothelial cell monolayers, as determined by microcolony counts and morphological observation . On introduction of additional neutrophils to yield higher ratios of neutrophils to endothelial cells (10 neutrophils:1 endothelial cell), neutrophil migration toward hyphal elements continued . Despite retraction or displacement of occasional endothelial cells by invading Candida and neutrophils, most endothelial cells remained intact, viable, and motile as verified both by morphological observations and measurement of 51Cr release from radiolabeled monolayers . From these studies, we conclude that neutrophils are capable of killing Candida hyphae selectively within human vascular endothelial cell monolayers and may have protective rather than detrimental effects on endothelial cell integrity. Ann Inst Pasteur Immunol, 1987 May-Jun, 138(3), 425 - 36 RU-41740 (K . pneumoniae glycoprotein) enhances resistance to experimental candidiasis and stimulates phagocytic functions; Smets P et al.; RU-41740, a purified glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae, (which is an efficient non-specific immune activator in a broad spectrum of in vitro and in vivo reactions) was administered either orally or parenterally in the mouse . It enhanced the resistance of mice to candidiasis, both in terms of survival rate and a decrease in viable yeast cell recovery in kidneys . The drug administered at 0.1 mg or 1 mg/kg augmented 4-fold the mean survival time (MST) of animals infected with 1 to 2 X 10(6) Candida albicans, both by the intraperitoneal and the intravenous route . The effect of the orally administered drug was less striking but nonetheless present . At 10 mg/kg, the MST of infected animals increased about 2-fold . In vitro, in the presence or absence of zymosan, the drug at 10 or 100 micrograms/ml was able to stimulate the phagocytic process of elicited mouse peritoneal cells (65% polymorphonuclear cells, 35% macrophages) and human peripheral blood cells (95% polymorphonuclear cells, 5% monocytes) in terms of activated oxygen species production . The involvement of polymorphonuclear cells in the mechanisms of natural resistance to C . albicans infection led us to discuss the role of these cells as targets for the drug. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1987 May, (5), 28 - 32 {Distribution of epitheliocytes by the number of Candida albicans adhered to them and assessment of the intensity of the adhesion in an in vitro test}; Kornev NR et al.; The study of the adhesion test in suspensions, carried out with 9 C . albicans strains and human buccal epithelial cells, has revealed that these cells are exponentially distributed by the number of C . albicans cells adhered to them . To characterize adhesion, the use of the index of the exponent describing the distribution of epithelial cells is proposed . With the use of this index, 5 C . albicans strains isolated from candidiasis patients have been found to possess, on the average, higher adhesiveness with respect to epithelial cells than 4 strains isolated from persons without symptoms of candidiasis. Farmaco {Sci}, 1987 May, 42(5), 347 - 57 Synthesis and antifungal activities of N-arylideneaminoimidazole derivatives; Cocco MT et al.; The synthesis and microbiological activities of 1-arylideneaminoimidazole derivatives are reported . Antimicrobial data show that some of the tested imidazoles exhibited an interesting activity on Candida albicans. Can J Microbiol, 1987 May, 33(5), 461 - 4 Effect of some soybean and bean phytoalexins and related isoflavonoids on growth of Candida albicans; Stossel P; The influence of a series of related isoflavonoids on growth of the zoopathogenic yeast, Candida albicans, in liquid media was studied . The order of effectiveness was identical with that previously found for a range of phytopathogenic fungi . Minimum inhibitory concentration of phaseollinisoflavan, the most active test compound, was 250 microM for 3 days after inoculation . However, C . albicans resumed growth thereafter . Phaseollinisoflavan, 500 microM, did not inhibit but only delayed growth of the yeast . Tolerance of C . albicans to phaseollin and phaseollinisoflavan was based on nondegradative mechanism(s), while tolerance to glyceollin appeared to be based on detoxification. Antibiot Med Biotekhnol, 1987 May, 32(5), 354 - 7 {Sensitivity of dimorphic Candida albicans cells to polyene antibiotics and their combinations with other biologically active substances}; Araviiskii RA et al.; It was shown that polyenic antibiotics and their combinations with some other antifungal and antibacterial agents prevented transformation of the C . albicans yeast phase into the tissue one . Moreover, the fungus tissue form proved to be more sensitive than the yeast form to the drugs and especially to their combinations . The in vitro findings were confirmed by the in vivo studies . Combinations of amphotericin B with methacycline, rifampicin, 5-fluorocytosine or polymyxin B were more efficient than the polyene alone . Summation of the drug antifungal effects provided a 4-fold decrease in the polyene quantity required for administration to experimental animals. J Oral Rehabil, 1987 May, 14(3), 217 - 27 Denture stomatitis: a review; Arendorf TM et al.; Denture stomatitis has been reported in 11-67% of complete denture wearers . It is more common on the palatal mucosa and in female patients . In Newton's type I denture stomatitis, where the inflammation remains focal, trauma seems to be responsible . In Newton's types II and III denture stomatitis, where the denture-bearing mucosa is diffusely involved, most workers assert that the aetiology is multi-factorial . Evidence is presented incriminating Candida albicans colonization of the fitting surface of the prosthesis in many cases of denture stomatitis promoted by continuous denture wearing . Allergic and primary irritant reactions to the denture base material, systemic predisposing factors including dietary deficiency and haematological disorders, also play a part . In most cases of denture stomatitis, elimination of denture faults, control of denture plaque and discontinuous denture wearing are sufficient treatment . The routine use of antiseptic or antimycotic drugs seems unnecessary. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 1987 May, 25(1), 53 - 66 Epidemiology of vaginal Candida infection: significance of numbers of vaginal yeasts and their biotypes; Odds FC et al.; The prevalence, quantity and biotypes of vaginal yeasts were determined for 1082 randomly selected nonpregnant patients attending two genitourinary medicine clinics . The overall yeast prevalence was 22.1% with a geometric mean of 40 and a median of 75 yeast colonies per positive isolate (on 5-cm Petri dishes) . There was no statistically significant variation in prevalence, quantity or biotype of yeasts with the patients' age, season of the year, stage of the menstrual cycle, recent antibiotic history, contraceptive use or main diagnosis (excluding candidosis) . A clinical score for Candida infection, based on symptoms of pruritus and signs of Candida vulvovaginitis, showed significant variation with the prevalence and quantity of yeast isolates . Unequivocal clinical evidence of candidosis was strongly associated with high concentrations of vaginal yeasts . There was also some association between certain groups of Candida albicans biotypes and the clinical score . These observations reemphasize the need for consideration of both clinical and mycological factors in establishing a diagnosis of vulvovaginal Candida infection . It is suggested that isolation of fewer than 10 yeast colonies from a vaginal swab is usually unlikely to indicate an infection requiring treatment. J Med Microbiol, 1987 May, 23(3), 275 - 7 Disseminated Candida infection syndrome in heroin addicts--dominance of a single Candida albicans biotype; Odds FC et al.; Among 21 intravenous heroin abusers with cutaneous and ocular manifestations of disseminated Candida infection, a single C . albicans strain type (serotype A, biotype 153/7) was isolated from skin lesions in 14 cases . This suggests that central contamination of the heroin with C . albicans is less likely to be the source of infection than an endogenous source, and that one particular strain type is either better adapted than others to grow in the lemon juice used as a heroin solvent, or more likely than others to cause the specific pathology seen in these patients. J Clin Microbiol, 1987 May, 25(5), 931 - 2 Tissue homogenization with sterile reinforced polyethylene bags for quantitative culture of Candida albicans; Walsh TJ et al.; A simple method of tissue homogenization with sterile reinforced polyethylene bags for quantitative fungal cultures was evaluated with mice infected with Candida albicans . This new method correlated well with standard methods (P less than or equal to 0.01) for quantifying viable fungus in homogenates of brain, kidney, spleen, liver, and lungs and may be applicable in clinical and experimental mycology laboratories. J Clin Microbiol, 1987 May, 25(5), 885 - 8 Effect of buffers on testing of Candida species susceptibility to flucytosine; MacKerrow SD et al.; Synthetic amino acid medium for fungi (SAAMF) is a totally defined, nutritionally adequate, macromolecule-free culture medium for fungi that is buffered with an organic weak acid-weak base pair: 2-(N-morpholino)-propanesulfonic acid (MOPS) and 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol (Tris) . In 1984, it was reported that MOPS-Tris in SAAMF antagonized the activity of flucytosine against Candida albicans (D . L . Calhoun and J . N . Galgiani, Antimicrob . Agents Chemother . 26:364-367, 1984) . Accordingly, we evaluated the buffering capacity of seven synthetic organic buffers and monobasic potassium phosphate, both singly and in pairs, over the pH range 7.4 to 6.0 . Of these buffers, MOPS, BES {N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminomethanesulfonic acid}, a BES-MOPS combination, and KH2PO4 provided the best buffering . Growth of C . albicans, in unbuffered SAAMF was equivalent overall to that in SAAMF containing buffers, singly or in pairs . Twelve strains of C . albicans and five strains of Candida lusitaniae were tested for susceptibility to flucytosine in SAAMF, with and without buffers . In the presence of Tris, the geometric mean MICs were 6.5- and 3.6-fold higher, respectively, for C . albicans and C . lusitaniae . We recommend replacing Tris with the nonantagonistic MOPS. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1987 May, 184(2), 160 - 6 Influence of the growth characteristics of Candida albicans on disinfectant testing; van de Voorde H et al.; In order to standardize antifungal disinfectant testing using Candida albicans as a test organism, the morphology of four type strains of C . albicans DSM 1836, ATCC 10231, CNCM 1180-79 and CBS 562, grown on sixteen different media was determined . The incubation was carried out at 28 degrees C and 37 degrees C . The yeast phase was obtained predominantly on TSA medium with all strains . Mixed phases, i . e . true mycelium and yeast cells, were easily obtained in TSB in shaking flasks for three type strains but not for CBS 562 . True mycelium was formed on corn meal media (CMA) for all strains, but the growth was very poor . The morphology of the growth was determined more by the type of strain than by the nutritive medium . Therefore C . albicans ATCC 10231 grown on either TSA or CMA was used as a test organism . Its resistance was determined towards four disinfectant standards: benzalkonium chloride, mercuric chloride, phenol and o-phenylphenol . No difference in sensitivity was found for the former disinfectant, but yeast cells grown on TSA were more resistant than C . albicans cultures on CMA in case of mercuric chloride, phenol and o-phenylphenol. J Clin Microbiol, 1987 May, 25(5), 907 - 10 beta-Glucosidase in Candida albicans and its application in yeast identification; Polacheck I et al.; In this report we attempt to explain the discrepancy between beta-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) activity in Candida albicans as measured by commercial kits and that found in an experimental assay . beta-Glucosidase activity in American and Israeli isolates of C . albicans was evaluated with the API ZYM and YeastIdent systems (Analytab Products) and with experimental biochemical assays . Activity was found with whole cells and cell extracts of isolates from both sources . The greatest beta-glucosidase activity was found at pH 5.0 and with p-nitrophenyl-beta-glucopyranoside (PNP-BDG) as the substrate . In assays with beta-naphthyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 6-bromo-2-naphthyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6-Br-2-naphthyl-BDG), no enzyme activity was detected in whole cells and only limited activity was found in cell extracts of isolates from both sources . In studies with PNP-BDG at pH 5.0 and 7.5, 29 to 38% less activity was found at both pHs with American whole cells, and minor activity (20%) was found at pH 7.5 with isolates from both sources . Because assays with PNP-BDG in cell extracts of isolates from both sources showed no significant differences in activity, the more limited beta-glucosidase activity in American whole cells was most likely due to less efficient transport . Because the API ZYM system uses 6-Br-2-naphthyl-BDG as the substrate and because the substrate is buffered at pH 7.5 in the API YeastIdent kit, both systems appear to be of limited value for the detection of beta-glucosidase activity in C . albicans. J Leukoc Biol, 1987 May, 41(5), 434 - 40 Activation of murine polymorphonuclear neutrophils for fungicidal activity by recombinant gamma interferon; Morrison CJ et al.; Recombinant murine gamma-interferon (IFN) was tested for its ability to enhance murine polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) fungicidal activity in vitro . PMNs, elicited by intraperitoneal injection of thioglycollate 4 hr prior to collection, were treated with 0.00003-300,000 units of IFN per milliliter for 1 hr prior to challenge with yeast form Blastomyces dermatitidis . These PMNs were not fungicidal for Blastomyces in the absence of IFN; significant enhancement of PMN fungicidal activity by IFN treatment occurred in a dose-dependent manner with maximal enhancement observed at 30,000 U/ml (21% killing) . Pretreatment of IFN with rabbit anti-IFN antiserum before addition to PMNs eliminated the enhancement of fungicidal activity by effective doses of IFN . PMN fungicidal activity against phagocytizable Candida albicans was significantly (P less than .001) higher (71.3 +/- 17.4%) than against B . dermatitidis . Candidacidal activity was not significantly enhanced by IFN treatment of PMNs . Exogenously added lipopolysaccharide, at levels corresponding to those found in this preparation of IFN, did not activate PMNs for enhanced fungicidal capacity . These data indicate a stimulatory role for IFN in the killing of B . dermatitidis by PMNs, suggesting that IFN is an active component of the communication between T lymphocytes and PMNs with respect to antimicrobial resistance . They suggest a natural role for IFN in host defense against blastomycosis and other fungal infections, and a possible therapeutic use for exogenous IFN in fungal disease. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol, 1987 May, 56(2), 253 - 63 Effects of diethyldithiocarbamate and structural analogs in mice with systemic candidal infections; Walker EM Jr et al.; Three different substituted dithiocarbamates: sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC), sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate (DmDTC), and sodium N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (NMG-DTC) were evaluated for their ability to combat the growth and development of three human pathogenic strains of Candida albicans, in vitro and in vivo, in mice . DDTC and DmDTC produced marked growth inhibition on agar plates, in vitro, of three different strains of Candida albicans, while NMG-DTC displayed little inhibitory effect . Low, nontoxic doses of each compound administered to immunosuppressed mice exhibited impressive therapeutic effects in treating candidiasis . NMG-DTC showed the best consistent therapeutic antifungal effect against Candida albicans in mice immunosuppressed with Solu-Medrol . Combinations of low doses of DDTC and Amphotericin-B appeared to be effective in treating systemic candidal infections, and the results suggested that these combinations may offer therapeutic advantages over those produced by the use of either agent alone. J Gen Microbiol, 1987 May, 133 ( Pt 5), 1265 - 71 Bacteriolytic activity of seminalplasmin; Chitnis SN et al.; Seminalplasmin, an antimicrobial protein from bovine seminal plasma, lysed both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria but not Candida albicans . The lytic activity was not lysozyme-like and was not affected by inhibitors of RNA or protein synthesis or by azide; it was strongly inhibited by divalent cations like Ca2+, Mn2+ and Mg2+ at millimolar concentrations . Maximum lysis of Escherichia coli was obtained at 37 degrees C; heat treatment of E . coli drastically reduced its susceptibility to lysis by seminalplasmin . E . coli cells in the stationary phase of growth were lysed much less than those in the exponential phase, and those grown in an enriched medium were lysed much more than those grown in a minimal medium . It appears that the lytic activity of seminalplasmin is due to the activation of an autolysin. Allergy, 1987 May, 42(4), 291 - 7 Histamine release from basophil leukocytes induced by microbial antigen preparations in patients with AIDS; Pedersen M et al.; Type I allergy against some common microorganisms was investigated in 14 patients with AIDS and 11 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody-positive homosexual men, and in a control group consisting of 13 heterosexual men without HIV antibodies . Basophil histamine release technique was used as a sensitive method to detect type I allergy against Candida albicans (CA), Herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-I) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) . Of the 14 AIDS patients 11 (78%) showed significant histamine release when stimulated with CA, and HSV-I caused release in 10 (71%), whereas no response was obtained by CMV . In the group of HIV antibody-positive men only one released histamine when stimulated with CA and HSV-I and this patient also had lymphadenopathia . In contrast to these results, no release of histamine was obtained in the control group consisting of 13 heterosexual men . The histamine release caused by CA and HSV-I is mediated by an immunological reaction, since the release was abolished and regained by removal from and refixation to the cell surface of the cell-bound immunoglobulins . These results suggest an involvement of type I allergy as a pathogenetic co-factor in some infections in AIDS, and allergic type I reactions to CA and HSV-I might be an indicator for the presence of manifest AIDS. Mycopathologia, 1987 May, 98(2), 121 - 6 Characteristics of DTH suppressor cells in mice infected with Candida albicans; Valdez JC et al.; Inoculation of 10(8) C . albicans intraperitoneally into Balb/c mice at given dosage was reported to induce suppression of antigen-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity . Adoptive transfer of spleen cells into normal syngeneic mice pre-treated with Cyclophosphamide confirmed the existence of suppressor cells in mice . Such cells were sensitive to treatment with anti-theta serum and complement, non-adherent to Sephadex G-10 . A pretreatment of the mice with Cyclophosphamide eliminated DTH suppression . Treatment with antimacrophage agents via intraperitoneal abrogated suppression only if being effected before inoculation of alive 10(8) Candida albicans . It is concluded that the spleen suppressor cell is a T-lymphocyte whose precursor is Cyclophosphamide-sensitive, requiring the macrophage to be induced. Immunol Cell Biol, 1987 Apr, 65 ( Pt 2), 163 - 71 Murine candidiasis . Pathogenesis and host responses in genetically distinct inbred mice; Ashman RB et al.; The pathogenesis of Candida albicans infection was compared in three inbred strains of mice--CBA/H; C57B1/6J and BALB/c . CBA/H mice developed the most severe lesions, and also showed the weakest inflammatory responses in the popliteal lymph node after challenge with live organisms in the footpad . Nevertheless, this strain cleared candida from the spleen more efficiently than either C57B1/6J or BALB/c mice . This apparently excludes a defect in phagocytosis as the basis for the increased susceptibility . The gene(s) determining susceptibility in CBA/H mice are located outside the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Arzneimittelforschung, 1987 Apr, 37(4), 463 - 6 In vitro activity of benzoxonium chloride on selected buccopharyngeal pathogens; Cortat M et al.; Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of N-benzyl, N-dodecyl-N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium chloride (benzoxonium chloride, Orofar), a quaternary ammonium salt, were assayed on 14 strains associated with buccopharyngeal infections . MICs ranged between 2-5 micrograms/ml for Gram-positive bacteria and between 16 and 48 micrograms/ml for Gram-negative organisms . For Candida albicans they were between 6-8 micrograms/ml . MBCs for 1 and 2 min were only slightly higher than MICs . One strain of K . pneumoniae required, however, 100 micrograms/ml and 10 min of exposure . Results show that benzoxonium chloride has strong antimicrobial effect on organisms responsible for buccopharyngeal infections. Arzneimittelforschung, 1987 Apr, 37(4), 377 - 9 New imidazole-5-carbohydroxamic acids with biological activity; Bossio R et al.; A series of 1-benzyl-2-arylthio (or heteroarylthio)-5-imidazolecarbohydroxamic acids (Va-e) was prepared starting from the corresponding imidazole-5-carboxylic acids IIIa-e via acid chlorides IVa-e . Tests of biological activity showed that compounds Va-e are fairly active against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Arch Dis Child, 1987 Apr, 62(4), 406 - 8 Oral candida: is dummy carriage the culprit? Sio JO, Minwalla FK, George RH, Booth IW. Oral candida in subjects who sucked dummies was almost double that of controls . Although the carriage of Candida albicans on silicone dummies was significantly reduced compared with latex dummies, oral colonisation was unaffected, suggesting that dummy carriage is not the cause of the observed increase. Aust N Z J Med, 1987 Apr, 17(2), 201 - 9 The immunochemical characterisation of circulating immune complex constituents in Candida albicans osteomyelitis by isoelectric focusing, immunoblot, and immunoprint; Neale TJ et al.; Circulating immune complexes present in the serum of a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, end-stage renal failure, and thoracic vertebral Candida albicans osteomyelitis were sequentially analysed by isoelectric focusing, immunoblotting, and immunoprinting . Candida antigens (including mannoproteins), Clq and C3 complement components, and specific anti-Candida antibody were detected within polyethylene glycol precipitated complexes . An antigen of 47K molecular weight was amongst those demonstrated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be present within the complexes . It has been proposed elsewhere that a serologic response to a 47K protein is predictive of recovery from Candida albicans infection . Free antibody had specificity for Candida antigens ranging in molecular weight from 18K to more than 100K including a 47K component . The analytical techniques employed allowed rapid and precise identification of the components of one particular immune complex system and will be widely applicable to the dissection of other diverse systems. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1987 Apr, 31(4), 643 - 6 Broth dilution testing of Candida albicans susceptibility to ketoconazole; Hughes CE et al.; We performed a detailed investigation of the kinetics of ketoconazole activity in the setting of broth dilution testing of Candida albicans susceptibility . Turbidimetric readings reflected parallel quantitative colony counts . The method of endpoint determination markedly affected the results . Determinations of 50% inhibitory concentrations clearly separated the ketoconazole-resistant strains from the susceptible strains. J Med Vet Mycol, 1987 Apr, 25(2), 85 - 96 The effects of soluble Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan on the phagocytosis of Candida albicans by mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro; Kolotila MP et al.; Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan inhibited the phagocytic activity and phagocytic capacity of mouse peritoneal macrophages elicited by Concanavalin A (Con A) for Candida albicans yeast cells that were either unopsonized or opsonized with C3 . The mannan had no effect on the phagocytosis of C . albicans opsonized with normal human serum or immunoglobulins . Phagolysosome fusion in macrophages was unimpaired by the presence of S . cerevisiae mannan, which supports previous observations that mannan does not interfere with neutrophil degranulation. Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1987 Apr, 6(2), 142 - 6 Detection of antibodies to Candida albicans germ tube in the diagnosis of systemic candidiasis; Quindos G et al.; Sera from 109 subjects were tested for the presence of anti-Candida albicans antibodies by an indirect immunofluorescence assay . Aliquots of the sera were adsorbed with heat-killed blastospores to remove the antibodies against the surface of the yeast-phase cell wall and tested for anti-germ tube cell wall antibodies . Unadsorbed sera stained the entire cell wall of yeast and germ-tubes . Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were found in all patients with systemic candidiasis and in 81.2% of patients with Candida albicans isolated from skin and mucous membranes . IgA and IgG were found in 67.4 and 57.1%, respectively, of controls without evidence of candidiasis . After the adsorption only sera from patients with systemic candidiasis showed antibodies, predominantly IgA, against germ tube cell wall . Adsorption of the sera thus increased the specificity, efficiency, and positive and negative predictive values of the test . The test achieved the highest sensitivity in adsorbed sera for the combination of IgA and IgG. Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1987 Apr, 6(4), 371 - 7 Comparative efficacy of ceftazidime vs . carbenicillin and amikacin for treatment of neonatal septicemia; Odio CM et al.; The efficacy and safety of ceftazidime were compared with those of carbenicillin and amikacin in 60 neonates with proved invasive bacterial infections . The two treatment groups of patients were comparable with regard to sex, gestational and chronologic ages, associated risk factors, clinical condition on enrollment, focus of infection and bacteriology . Escherichia coli was isolated from blood cultures of 31%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa from cultures of 25%, Klebsiella sp . from cultures of 13% and other Gram-negative enteric bacilli from cultures of 17% of the patients . Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 20% (12 of 60), and coagulase-negative staphylococci from 8% (5 of 60) of the patients . All Gram-negative coliform bacilli were susceptible to ceftazidime whereas 10, 56 and 77% were resistant to amikacin, carbenicillin and ampicillin, respectively . Serum bactericidal activity against the offending pathogen was as much as 5-fold greater in ceftazidime-treated compared with conventionally treated patients . Seven patients with infections caused by organisms resistant to the study drugs were excluded from analysis . Case-fatality rates were 6.4% (2 of 31) and 21% (6 of 28) in the ceftazidime- and amikacin/carbenicillin-treated patients, respectively . Total failure rates, including deaths, were significantly higher in patients treated with amikacin/carbenicillin (8 of 28, 28.5%) compared with that of ceftazidime-treated patients (2 of 31, 6.4%) . Thirteen percent (5 of 31) and 3% (1 of 28) of the ceftazidime- and amikacin/carbenicillin-treated patients, respectively, developed invasive Candida albicans superinfection while receiving treatment . In this study results of treatment with ceftazidime were superior to results of treatment with amikacin/carbenicillin for invasive bacterial infections of newborn infants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Biol Regul Homeost Agents, 1987 Apr-Jun, 1(2), 59 - 68 Generation and characterization of cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated "in vitro" by a glucomannan-protein preparation of Candida albicans; Ausiello CM et al.; Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) proliferated and generated non-specific cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) after stimulation with a cell-wall glucomannan-protein (GMP) fraction of Candida albicans or chemically-inactivated intact microrganism . No effects were observed using other fungal cell wall components such as glucan or alkali-acid treated glucomannan . The highest CMC level was detected after 7-10 days of PBMC incubation in the presence of 50 micrograms/ml of whole Candida cells and the cytotoxic immunoeffectors elicited by these antigenic stimulations equally affected NK-susceptible (K562) and NK-resistant (Raji, Daudi and Jurkat) tumor cell lines . Both Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) were produced by GMP-stimulated PBMC, the IL-2 peak production constantly preceding that of IFN production . GMP-induced generation of natural CMC was potentiated by the addition of IFN-gamma and a monospecific anti IFN-gamma serum totally abrogated both IFN activity and CMC generation . The cytolytic effectors were shown to be OKT3-, OKT8- and HLA-DR- . They did not possess typical NK markers (e.g . Leu-7 and AB8.28) but were partially recognized by A10, a IgG2a monoclonal antibody reacting to PBMC-NK lymphocytes and activated T cells . These results suggest that the antitumor cytolytic effectors generated in PBMC cultures exposed to Candida material belong either to a discrete subset of natural effectors lacking classical NK markers or to other lymphokine-activated cells . This study also suggests that the human indigenous microrganisms C.albicans may play a role in raising nonspecific antitumor effects in normal host. Mycopathologia, 1987 Apr, 98(1), 3 - 8 Growth inhibition of pathogenic yeast isolates by alpha-difluoromethylornithine: an inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase; Pfaller MA et al.; A large body of evidence exists suggesting that polyamines can play essential roles in cellular growth and differentiation . We examined the ability of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, the major rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis, to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans, C . tropicalis, and C . parapsilosis . Substantial growth-inhibition was observed for all three species at DFMO concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 mM . C . tropicalis was significantly more susceptible to DFMO than C . albicans or C . parapsilosis . Depletion of cellular polyamine pools was seen in all 3 species following exposure to DFMO and polyamine depletion enhanced the susceptibility of the organisms to DFMO . The action of DFMO was specifically antagonized by exogenous polyamines . These data suggest that polyamines are important in the growth of Candida spp . and that inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis may be useful as antifungal agents. J Med Vet Mycol, 1987 Apr, 25(2), 125 - 6 Itraconazole treatment of experimental systemic candidiasis in male rats; Yozwiak ML et al.; After intravenous infection with Candida albicans, rats received daily doses of itraconazole for 3 days . All rats receiving 2.5 mg kg-1 day-1 survived while all rats receiving sham-treatment died . With subsequent reduction of the itraconazole dose to 0.63 mg kg-1 day-1, no survival occurred and mortality rates equalled those of the control group. Can J Microbiol, 1987 Apr, 33(4), 345 - 7 Evidence for a glucose effect on N-acetylglucosamine catabolism in Candida albicans; Niimi M et al.; Two strains of Candida albicans were examined for a glucose effect on the catabolism of N-acetylglucosamine . It was shown that the induction of N-acetylglucosamine uptake capacity was almost completely blocked by glucose at 0.5% (w/v), whereas that of N-acetylglucosamine kinase was partially repressed. J Leukoc Biol, 1987 Apr, 41(4), 289 - 94 Candidacidal activity of monocyte-derived human macrophages: relationship between Candida killing and oxygen radical generation by human macrophages; Sasada M et al.; Freshly isolated human monocytes ingested and killed Candida albicans, and generated O2- H2O2 and .OH efficiently . When monocytes were cultured in vitro, these cells transformed into macrophages . Cultured monocytes retained their ingestive activity but lost their candidacidal activity almost completely after day 3 . The release of O2- by monocytes decreased slightly with culture and that of .OH was markedly decreased on day 3 of culture . The activity of myeloperoxidase in the monocytes decreased with culture . These results suggested that the loss of candidacidal activity is due to the decrease of .OH generation and myeloperoxidase activity in cultured monocytes. J Bacteriol, 1987 Apr, 169(4), 1639 - 43 Strain and species identification by restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the ribosomal DNA repeat of Candida species; Magee BB et al.; Restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) have been shown to be a useful criterion for distinguishing among various isolates of Candida albicans . In a sample of 12 clinical isolates, we found six different classes based on variations in the fragments produced from genomic DNA by EcoRI and visualized after Southern transfer by being probed with a plasmid containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae rDNA . Some of the classes appeared to be heterozygous at the rDNA locus . Similar digestion of other Candida species showed that each could be identified on the basis of its restriction patterns . Since these are highly reiterated genes, the differences were apparent on ethidium bromide-stained gels; Southern transfers were not necessary . EcoRI restriction maps of the rDNA of C . albicans, C . stellatoidea, C . tropicalis, and C . guilliermondii were determined. Biochem Int, 1987 Apr, 14(4), 617 - 26 The electrochemical gradient of H+ in Candida albicans and its relevance to the uptake of nutrients; Prasad R et al.; The electrochemical gradient of protons, delta microH+, in Candida albicans was estimated between pH 3.5 and 8.5 . The electrical potential difference (delta psi) and the chemical proton gradient (delta pH) were measured by steady-state distribution of tetraphenylphosphonium ion and of propionic acid across the plasma-membrane, respectively . In the pH range tested, the intracellular pH was maintained fairly constant at values between 7.3 and 8.1 . On the other hand, there was an up to three fold enhancement of delta psi under similar conditions . The uptake of a neutral (glycine), an acidic (L-glutamate) and a basic (L-arginine) amino-acids and of the aldopentose (D-xylose) was determined under different values of delta microH+, which was manipulated by varying the pH of the cell suspension . The rate of uptake of D-xylose and glycine appeared to follow delta microH+ while the uptake velocity of L-arginine could be correlated to changes in delta psi . The rate of uptake of L-glutamate, although at highest among the rates of tested nutrients, was, however, largely independent of delta microH+ . This and other reasons (discussed below) indicate that delta microH+ may not be the sole driving force of nutrients uptake in C . albicans. Microb Pathog, 1987 Apr, 2(4), 249 - 57 Cell surface and intracellular expression of two Candida albicans antigens during in vitro and in vivo growth; Brawner DL et al.; Intracellular and cell surface expression of two antigenic determinants of Candida albicans was studied by reacting ultrathin sections of the fungus with monoclonal antibodies and locating the sites of antibody-antigen reactions by use of colloidal gold-coupled secondary antibody and electron microscopic techniques . Comparisons were made between fungal cells allowed to develop in vitro and cells (in vivo) recovered from infected mice . Differences between in vitro antigen expression and expression in vivo were particularly noted during early germination events . Antigen expression in vivo appears to be concentrated in deeper cell wall layers and beneath the plasmalemma especially on germ tubes . Cells which develop in vivo and in vitro have antigen associated with an outer flocculent layer and on the innermost cell wall layer of mother cells and hyphae . A middle electron transparent cell wall layer is usually devoid of antigen . Comparison of antigen expression during in vivo growth in early (intraperitoneal) infection versus late disseminated (kidney) disease suggests that both of the antigens are expressed in greater quantity on the surface of germ tubes than on mother cells in kidney tissue as compared to intraperitoneally-grown cells . Results also suggest that at least one of the antigens, which is a substituted mannan, can be found on a lamello-tubular intracellular structure. Br J Dermatol, 1987 Apr, 116(4), 469 - 75 Enhancement of Candida albicans killing activity of separated human epidermal cells by ultraviolet radiation; Csato M et al.; Ultraviolet irradiation enhanced the Candida albicans killing activity of freshly separated human epidermal cells in vitro . The stimulation was dose-dependent and was not due to soluble extracellular factors acting on non-irradiated epidermal cells . The enhancement of the killing activity remained unchanged when epidermal cells were depleted of Langerhans cells . Protein synthesis inhibitors and prostaglandin antagonists abrogated the ultraviolet-induced augmentation of killing activity. Am J Med, 1987 Mar 23, 82(3 Spec No), 662 - 4 Candida epiglottitis in an adult with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia; Cole S et al.; A 40-year-old white woman presented with fever, otalgia, and odynophagia and was found to have a peripheral white blood cell count of 90,000/mm3 . A diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia was made . Further evaluation of symptoms and source for fever led to the diagnosis of Candida albicans epiglottitis . This is the first reported case of fungal epiglottitis in an immunocompromised adult. Z Kardiol, 1987 Mar, 76(3), 182 - 5 {Fungal endocarditis of the tricuspid valve in Crohn disease}; Becher H et al.; In a 59-year-old patient with Crohn's disease, tricuspid valve endocarditis caused by candida albicans was observed . Prior to fungal endocarditis a treatment with prednisone and azathioprine was performed . The patient had severe embolic pneumonia with abscesses . Following the echocardiographic examination, the infected valve was replaced by a Hancock bioprosthesis . Despite high dose antifungal chemotherapy the patient died . Septic disorders in patients with Crohn's disease, who are treated with prednisone and azathioprine, can be caused by fungal endocarditis and should be investigated by echocardiography. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1987 Mar, 53(3), 615 - 7 Antifungal activity of ajoene derived from garlic; Yoshida S et al.; The antifungal activity of six fractions derived from garlic was investigated in an in vitro system . Ajoene had the strongest activity in these fractions . The growth of both Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans was inhibited by ajoene at less than 20 micrograms/ml. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 1987 Mar, 28(3), 596 - 603 Correlation of in vitro and in vivo susceptibility of Candida albicans to amphotericin B and natamycin; O'Day DM et al.; The efficacy of topical 0.15% amphotericin B and 5% natamycin was examined in a model of Candida keratitis in rabbits and correlated with three tests of in vitro susceptibility: tube dilution minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) and agar diffusion zones of inhibition . For a panel of 17 strains, the MIC classified precisely the same strains as resistant or susceptible to amphotericin B as did the in vivo response . Several strains were misclassified using the MFC and the zone of inhibition . For natamycin the MIC misclassified two strains but it was still superior to the other two tests . For all strains, amphotericin B was equal or superior in efficacy to natamycin in vivo . The tube dilution MIC for amphotericin B was a reliable indicator for natamycin efficacy in vivo. J Med Chem, 1987 Mar, 30(3), 552 - 62 Synthesis and quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis of N-triiodoallyl- and N-iodopropargylazoles . New antifungal agents; Koyama M et al.; New series of N-(2,3,3-triiodoallyl) and N-(3-iodopropargyl) azole derivatives (100 compounds) involving pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole, triazole, and tetrazole nuclei were synthesized successively with the aid of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis to obtain potent antifungal agents . Starting from the derivatives of nitropyrrole-containing antibiotics, the QSAR analysis of the pyrrole derivatives against Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes strains indicated the positive contribution of the nitro group and negative effect of the size of molecule . Further application of the QSAR analysis on the multi-azole derivatives revealed the importance of hydrophobicity and electronegativity as well as steric effect to the activities and led to the synthesis of one of the most potent iodo compounds, 2-(2,3,3-triiodoallyl)tetrazole (67, ME1401). Infect Immun, 1987 Mar, 55(3), 616 - 20 Antigenic differences between mannoproteins of germ tubes and blastospores of Candida albicans; Sundstrom PM et al.; To determine the nature of germ tube-specific antigens of Candida albicans, procedures for intrinsically labeling cell wall antigens metabolically were developed . Blastospores or germ tubes labeled either in their proteins with L-{35S}methionine or in mannose-containing carbohydrates with D{2-3H}mannose contained surface components similar to those found previously with 125I-labeled organisms . Germ tube-specific determinants, were found on a 200-kilodalton protein in digests from germ tubes, whereas a component of similar molecular size in blastospore extracts reacted weakly or not at all with germ tube-specific antibody . In addition, a glycan fraction prepared from germ tubes reacted with the unadsorbed anti-C . albicans polyvalent antibody but not with the germ tube-specific antibody, suggesting that the germ tube-specific determinants are not carbohydrates. J Gen Microbiol, 1987 Mar, 133 ( Pt 3), 637 - 43 Role of glycosides as epithelial cell receptors for Candida albicans; Critchley IA et al.; The effect of various lectins and sugars on adhesion of five strains of Candida albicans to buccal and vaginal epithelial cells in vitro was investigated . Adhesion of C . albicans GDH 2346 was inhibited primarily by L-fucose and winged-pea lectin, whereas adhesion of strain GDH 2023 was inhibited by N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, or D-glucosamine, and wheat-germ agglutinin . Three other strains of C . albicans (MRL 3153, GRI 681 and GRI 682) gave results similar to those obtained with strain GDH 2346 . Extracellular polymeric material (EP) isolated from strain GDH 2346 inhibited adhesion of strains MRL 3153, GRI 681 and GRI 682 by more than 50%, but that of strain GDH 2023 by only 30% . EP from strain GDH 2023 had little or no effect on the adhesion of any other yeast strain . Lectin-like proteins with affinities for L-fucose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and D-mannose were detected in EP from all five strains in different amounts . These results indicate that there are at least two types of adhesion mechanism and that glycosides containing L-fucose or N-acetyl-D-glucosamine can function as epithelial cell receptors for C . albicans. J Gen Microbiol, 1987 Mar, 133 ( Pt 3), 629 - 36 Isolation and partial characterization of an adhesin from Candida albicans; Critchley IA et al.; Candida albicans produces extracellular polymeric material (EP) which contains a mannoprotein adhesin . EP isolated from culture supernatants of C . albicans GDH 2346 consisted of a mixture of glycoprotein components and inhibited yeast adhesion to buccal epithelial cells by up to 60% . Partial purification of the adhesin was achieved by a two-step procedure involving chromatography of EP on concanavalin A-Sepharose and DEAE-cellulose . The purified adhesin inhibited adhesion to buccal cells 30 times more efficiently (on a weight basis) than unfractionated EP . Pretreatment of EP with heat, dithiothreitol or proteolytic enzymes either partially or completely destroyed its ability to inhibit adhesion, whereas pretreatment with sodium periodate or alpha-mannosidase had little or no effect . These results suggest that the protein portion of the mannoprotein adhesin is more important than the carbohydrate moiety in mediating yeast attachment to buccal epithelial cells. J Gen Microbiol, 1987 Mar, 133 ( Pt 3), 545 - 51 Characterization of binding of human fibrinogen to the surface of germ-tubes and mycelium of candida albicans; Bouali A et al.; The binding of human fibrinogen to germ-tubes and mycelium of Candida albicans, forms usually found in infected tissues, was studied in vitro by an immunofluorescence assay . Binding was quantified by using 125I-labelled fibrinogen . The degree of binding differed according to the morphological form of the fungus . Binding relative to that of the yeast form was greater for mycelium (12-fold) than for germ-tube (7.7-fold) . Pretreatment of yeasts with fragments D and E (terminal degradation products of fibrinogen) before fibrinogen binding showed that fragment D possessed a higher affinity for C . albicans than fragment E . Binding of fibrinogen was diminished when C . albicans was pretreated with 2-mercaptoethanol alone or in combination with pronase, or pretreated with alpha-mannosidase or trypsin . Binding was not decreased by pretreatment with pronase alone or chitinase . Inhibition experiments using C . albicans dialysed culture filtrate, C . albicans mannan, chitin, sugars or amino sugars were done by preabsorbing the fibrinogen with each of the above mentioned compounds . C . albicans dialysed culture filtrate inhibited the binding more strongly than C . albicans mannan . However, fibrinogen binding to C . albicans was not significantly reduced by mannose, several other sugars or chitin . These studies demonstrate the existence of a fibrinogen-binding factor (FBF) strongly associated with the surface of germ-tube and filamentous forms of C . albicans, and indicate a possible role for FBF in the pathogenicity of C . albicans. Ann Inst Pasteur Microbiol, 1987 Mar-Apr, 138(2), 177 - 87 Immunocytochemical localization of in vitro binding of human fibrinogen to Candida albicans germ tube and mycelium; Tronchin G et al.; In vitro fixation of human fibrinogen to different morphological stages of Candida albicans was examined immunocytochemically . When detected by fibrinogen latex microspheres or gold particles by scanning electron microscopy, fibrinogen-binding sites were found on the surface of germ tubes and mycelium, but not on blastospores . With transmission electron microscopy, fibrinogen-binding sites appeared associated with the flocculent surface layer, and increased during growth of germ tubes . Prefixation of C . albicans with formaldehyde decreased binding of fibrinogen, and pretreatment with mercaptoethanol and pronase abolished it . On thin sections of low temperature "Lowicryl K4M" -embedded organisms, gold particles were arranged in the form of clusters which extended from the surface through the cell wall . In contrast, the inner cell wall layers were weakly labelled . Labelling was also detected in the cytoplasm of germ tube, suggesting that fibrinogen receptors were synthesized during germ tube formation . In view of the importance of filamentous forms in host tissue adherence and colonization, the role of fibrinogen as a ligand for binding of C . albicans to epithelial cells was postulated. J Gen Microbiol, 1987 Mar, 133 ( Pt 3), 609 - 17 Exo-1,3-beta-glucanase activity in Candida albicans: effect of the yeast-to-mycelium transition; Molina M et al.; Yeast cells of Candida albicans 1001 produced glucan-hydrolysing activity, most of which was due to an exo-1,3-beta-glucanase . The enzyme was periplasmically located; it could be found in culture medium samples, and was secreted by protoplasts when cultured under regeneration conditions . In contrast to most yeast exoglucanases, this enzyme was practically inactive against p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucoside, hydrolysis of this substrate being carried out by a beta-glucosidase located inside the cytoplasmic membrane and not secreted to the external medium . Supernatant fluids from cell-free extracts reached their maximum glucanase level after several days at 0 degrees C, suggesting that the active enzyme was formed from an inactive precursor . Glucanase activity substantially decreased and sometimes disappeared from the cells when the yeast-to-mycelium transition was induced, but a significant (though lesser) reduction was also observed in yeast cells incubated in the same medium under conditions (temperature, cell concentration) that did not lead to formation of hyphae . It is suggested that C . albicans exo-1,3-beta-glucanase may not be necessary for mycelial growth. Pediatr Med Chir, 1987 Mar-Apr, 9(2), 163 - 8 {Infantile seborrheic dermatitis and related syndromes . Diagnostic and pathogenetic problems}; Ottolenghi A et al.; Infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis is a dermatosis affecting infants characterized by little or no itching and by completely typical skin symptoms, distribution and evolution . Infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis should therefore be differentiated from atopic dermatitis and from diaper-rash although interferences be possible . In fact the high frequency of the atopic dermatitis and of diaper rash may cause these two manifestations to sometimes superimpose on infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis . This in turn causes rather complex clinical situations that may be very hard, but not impossible to diagnose if use is made of laboratory findings to support clinical features . The pathogenesis and etiology of infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis are still debated although recent results assign the dominant role to Candida albicans . This mycete also plays a relevant role in the genesis of diaper rash and particularly of Leiner's exfoliative erythrodermas, which can be interpreted as a generalized and erythrodermic expression of infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis . Systematic cultural investigations and appropriate antimycotic treatments, that would stimulate antibody response, will allow to clarify in the near future this interesting etiological problem, with important therapeutical consequences. J Infect, 1987 Mar, 14(2), 147 - 57 Transient abrogation of immunosuppression in a patient with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis following vaccination with Candida albicans; Burford-Mason AP et al.; A patient with long-standing chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis had reversed T helper/suppressor (TH/TS) cell ratios, hypergammaglobulinaemia E and serum inhibitors of lymphocyte transformation to mitogens and candida antigens . Following vaccination with whole heat-killed yeasts of Candida albicans, temporary clinical improvement coincided with the return of the TH/TS cell ratio to normal, reduction in concentration of IgE and reduced serum inhibitory activity to Concanavalin A and candida antigens . These changes were not permanent and 6 months after vaccination all indices had reverted to their pretreatment values . The production of antibody to a 47 kDa antigen of C . albicans has been shown to coincide with recovery from systemic disease . High concentrations of this antibody were demonstrated initially in the patient's serum and were unaffected by vaccination . If the 47 kDa antibody is protective, the results of this study suggest that separate immune responses may protect against mucocutaneous and systemic candidiasis and that defective immune responses against mucocutaneous disease need not imply lack of protection against systemic spread. Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1987 Feb 6, 112(6), 214 - 8 {Cytomegalovirus-associated superinfection of the lung following kidney transplantation}; Bittner K et al.; In a kidney-transplant patient, there was superinfection of the lungs by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophilia with multiple necroses in the course of a primary cytomegalovirus infection . In a later phase of the disease, there was an opportunistic colonization of the necrotic cavities and the adjacent lung tissue by Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans . The cytomegalovirus infection led to a pronounced cellular immunosuppression in the patient . This favored superinfections by bacteria and fungi . A poor nutritional state and a chronic lung disease are to be considered as predisposing risk factors. Hautarzt, 1987 Feb, 38(2), 93 - 6 {Retention of ketoconazole in the skin following oral treatment}; Haneke E; Up to now there have been no data on how long ketoconazole is retained in the skin after administration has been discontinued . In our study, 17 probands received 200 mg ketoconazole daily for 10 days . Shave biopsies were taken from the buttocks on the last treatment day as well as 5 and 10 days later . Ketoconazole concentrations were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography after extensive homogenization of the skin specimens . At the end of the treatment period, about 2 h after intake of the last tablet a median ketoconazole skin concentration of 3.6 micrograms/g was determined . Five days after the end of treatment, the median ketoconazole skin level was 2.5 micrograms/g and after 10 days it was still 1.2 micrograms/g . Using a bioassay with Candida albicans strain ATCC 28,516, no demonstrable amount of ketoconazole could be seen in the hair roots and adjacent hair shafts at days 10, 15 and 20 of the trial . These results suggest that ketoconazole reaches the horny layer by passive diffusion and that it is strongly adsorbed by keratin . Clinical experience indicates that repeated short-term treatment with ketoconazole provides an effective prophylaxis against the recurrence of superficial mycosis; our results represent experimental confirmation of this experience. J Med Vet Mycol, 1987 Feb, 25(1), 29 - 37 The lipid composition and permeability to azole of an azole- and polyene-resistant mutant of Candida albicans; Hitchcock CA et al.; Candida albicans 6.4, which is resistant to both polyene and azole groups of antifungal antibiotics, has a larger lipid content and lower polar lipid to neutral lipid ratio compared with other strains that are sensitive or resistant only to azoles . C . albicans 6.4 contains a relatively greater proportion of triacylglycerol in its neutral lipid in the exponential phase of batch culture compared with other strains, but, unlike them, does not accumulate triacylglycerols or any other stored lipid in the stationary phase . Like other strains, in C . albicans 6.4 the major phospholipids are phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol, but sphingomyelin is absent; the major fatty acids are palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic and linoleic acids . In common with other C . albicans strains, strain 6.4 contains non-specific (lyso)phospholipase activity . The main distinctive feature of the lipid composition of C . albicans 6.4 is the absence of ergosterol, which is replaced by methylated sterol; mainly lanosterol, 24-methylene-24,25-dihydrolanosterol and 4-methylergostadiene-3-ol . It is suggested that the altered membrane sterol pattern provides a common basis for the double resistance by preventing polyene binding and reducing azole permeability. J Med Vet Mycol, 1987 Feb, 25(1), 19 - 28 The effect of Candida albicans on the permeability of rat palatal epithelium: an ultrastructural and biochemical study; Martin MV et al.; The effect of a palatal acrylic appliance and/or infection with Candida albicans on the permeability of rat palatal epithelium has been investigated . Although normal rats, or rats inoculated with Candida albicans but without a prosthesis, had a barrier to perfused lanthanum, some low-molecular-weight proteins were able to pass through the epithelium . When infection was established by inoculation of Candida albicans under an acrylic plate, the epithelium became permeable to perfused lanthanum . Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of perfusates showed that a selective permeability to proteins was retained in such animals . Removal of acrylic plates from infected animals resulted in healing and restoration of the barrier to lanthanum. Curr Eye Res, 1987 Feb, 6(2), 363 - 8 The influence of yeast growth phase in vivo on the efficacy of topical polyenes; O'Day DM et al.; We compared the efficacy of two polyenes, amphotericin B and natamycin, in two models of yeast infection . In one, treatment was begun immediately after inoculation, in the other it was delayed 24 hours . In each model infection with Candida albicans was established in the corneal stroma of dutch-belted rabbits and treated topically with 5% natamycin or amphotericin B 0.15% and 0.075% . Quantitative isolate recovery techniques were used to assess response after 5 days of treatment . A significant therapeutic effect was present for amphotericin B in both models . However, delayed treatment with natamycin was ineffective using treatment schedules efficacious when begun 1 hour after inoculation . A therapeutic effect was present only with administration of the drug every 1/2 hr . This altered response may reflect a difference in susceptibility between different growth phases in yeasts. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1987 Feb, 31(2), 244 - 8 Entry of ketoconazole into Candida albicans; Boiron P et al.; To define characteristics that determine the entry of ketoconazole (KTZ) into Candida albicans cells, we studied the uptake of {3H}KTZ . The cells rapidly and markedly concentrated the drug: 30% of the final 80-fold intracellular concentration was attained in less than 1 min, and greater than 60% was attained in 10 min . Penetration of {3H}KTZ at an extracellular concentration higher than 0.1875 microM (0.1 microgram/ml) occurred by a simple diffusion mechanism . At lower concentrations, accumulation of the drug was an active, energy-requiring process, dependent at least in part on glycolysis, and pH dependent (optimal pH, 6.6) . The active transport system had a high binding affinity (Km = 50 nM) and a high maximum velocity of uptake (Vmax = 1.4 mumol min-1 10(-7) cells) . It was not possible to displace intracellular {3H}KTZ with high concentrations of unlabeled KTZ or other antifungal agents . These findings suggest that KTZ is rapidly taken up, highly concentrated, and tightly bound to cellular components of C . albicans. Chemioterapia, 1987 Feb, 6(1), 8 - 11 5-Fluorocytosine and Candida yeasts; Fabbri A et al.; The authors report 5-fluorocytosine's activity against 101 Candida albicans and 42 Candida non-albicans strains . They point out the drug's lower inhibitory and lethal activity against Candida non-albicans . A 1.56 microgram/ml concentration inhibits 83% of Candida albicans while only 40% of Candida non-albicans is inhibited. J Med Microbiol, 1987 Feb, 23(1), 75 - 82 Microbial adherence to vulvar epithelial cells; Bibel DJ et al.; Under uniform experimental conditions, different degrees of selective attachment of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans to epithelial cells of the labium majus, the labium minus, and the vagina were compared and contrasted with those found in studies with cells of the buccal and nasal mucosa and forearm skin by a novel analysis of adherence density . For both micro-organisms, the larger, rougher cells of the labium majus gave the highest adherence scores matched only by the interaction of S . aureus with fully keratinised nasal epithelial cells . Increasing acidity to pH 3.5 enhanced microbial adherence to vaginal cells . Menstruation also influenced attachment; highest densities were reached between the third and fourth weeks of the cycle . Autogenous ribitol teichoic acid was found to block the attachment of S . aureus to labium majus and labium minus cells by 76% and 81% respectively, and to vaginal cells by 66% . Adherence is considered to be an important attribute of vulvar ecology and may be a determinant of infectious disease. J Clin Microbiol, 1987 Feb, 25(2), 230 - 7 Isolation of immunodominant antigens from sera of patients with systemic candidiasis and characterization of serological response to Candida albicans; Matthews RC et al.; Candidal antigens were isolated by affinity chromatography from the sera of patients with disseminated Candida albicans infections . The immunodominant 47-kilodalton (kDa) antigen appeared to be a heat-stable breakdown product of several larger heat-labile components (84 to 92, 74 to 79, and 66 to 72 kDa) . It was undetectable in normal sera and sera from four patients with systemic C . parapsilosis, C . tropicalis, and C . krusei infections . Serum samples from 92 patients with proven systemic C . albicans infections were examined by the immunoblot technique . Seventy-four patients had detectable antibody, and 92% of these produced antibody to the 47-kDa antigen . All survivors had major serological responses to this antigen, whereas patients who died had no, minor, or fading responses . Fifty-five of the patients were neutropenic following cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancies, usually lymphoproliferative disorders (hematological patients) . The remainder were surgical or medical patients (nonhematological) . Hematological patients differed from nonhematological patients in the range of antigens that were commonly recognized by their immune systems, although antibodies to the 47- and 60-kDa antigens were frequently present in both groups . They also differed in that they produced mainly an immunoglobulin M (IgM) response, failing to seroconvent to IgG . This did not reduce survival rates, which were similar in both groups . It may be responsible, however, for the lower antigen titers that were observed in hematological patients when measured by reverse passive latex agglutination. Arch Ophthalmol, 1987 Feb, 105(2), 264 - 7 Effect of ketorolac on Candida albicans ocular infection in rabbits; Fraser-Smith EB et al.; The tendency of corticosteroids to exacerbate ocular infections limits their usefulness . Ketorolac tromethamine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, is under development as an anti-inflammatory ophthalmic drug . In this study, rabbits ocularly infected with Candida albicans were treated topically four times daily with 0.5% ketorolac tromethamine or 0.1% dexamethasone for seven days after infection . Severity of infection was scored using both the Draize scale and Candida colony counts . Seven days after treatment ended, both the overall ocular scores (6/20) and colony count scores (0.5/3) were the same for ketorolac as for the vehicle, indicating no exacerbation of the infection, whereas with dexamethasone these values increased (13/20 and 2.3/3, respectively) . During treatment, both ketorolac and dexamethasone reduced conjunctivitis equally (1.5/10) when compared with the vehicle (3.4/10) . However, after treatment, conjunctivitis became more severe only in dexamethasone-treated eyes (6/10) . Thus, unlike dexamethasone, ketorolac seems to be a drug that can suppress inflammation without exacerbating fungal ocular infection. J Gen Microbiol, 1987 Feb, 133 ( Pt 2), 425 - 30 Electrophoretic karyotypes and chromosome numbers in Candida species; Magee BB et al.; The electrophoretic karyotypes of five Candida albicans isolates and of five other Candida species have been determined, using orthogonal field alternating gel electrophoresis (OFAGE) . None of the C . albicans isolates had the same electrophoretic karyotype . By comparing all five strains, we arrived at a chromosome number of nine to ten, but since the organism is diploid, we cannot distinguish genetically different chromosomes from homologues which resolve . We determined minimal chromosome numbers of 9 for Candida stellatoidea, 10 for C . glabrata and 6 for C . guilliermondii. J Gen Microbiol, 1987 Feb, 133 ( Pt 2), 415 - 24 The role of glucose in the pH regulation of germ-tube formation in Candida albicans; Pollack JH et al.; It has been reported that Candida albicans can form germ-tubes only in the narrow pH range of 6-8, and that by changing only the pH one can regulate germ-tube formation . We found that the pH minimum for germ-tube formation could be dramatically lowered by eliminating the glucose present in many induction solutions . Lee's medium lacking glucose, ethanol, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and proline induced germ-tubes at pH values as low as 3 under most conditions . The presence of as little as 1 mM-glucose in these induction solutions was sufficient to cause the cells to grow either as yeasts with multiple buds or as pseudohyphae when the pH was 3.7 . However, when C . albicans was grown in any of the above induction solutions (with the exception of ethanol), containing 200 mM-glucose buffered at pH 5.8, not only were germ-tubes formed, but their rate of formation and length were also increased . Preincubation of the cells in a solution buffered at pH 3.7 and containing 200 mM-glucose, before exposure to induction solutions lacking glucose at pH 3.7 or at pH 5.8, did not inhibit germ-tube formation . Likewise, addition of glucose after 45 min exposure to an induction solution was without effect . Theophylline and dibutyryl cAMP did not counteract the action of glucose . Other sugars which suppressed germ-tube formation at low pH were fructose, galactose, mannose, xylose, gluconic acid and the nonmetabolizable sugar 3-O-methylglucose . These results indicate that pH does not directly regulate dimorphism in C . albicans, and that glucose or its metabolites may play an important role. J Oral Pathol, 1987 Feb, 16(2), 89 - 93 Differences in mucosal reaction related to Candida albicans isolates; Allen CM et al.; In order to examine the behavior of Candida albicans in an oral mucosal model, 16 isolates of the organism were collected from a variety of clinical settings and were inoculated weekly, in equal numbers and concentrations, into the mouths of separate groups of 20 female Sprague-Dawley rats . Oral swabs were taken bi-weekly in order to monitor the presence of the yeast . After 16 weeks, the animals were killed and the tongues were examined grossly and histologically . Six isolates demonstrated the ability to produce characteristic dorsal tongue lesions to varying degrees (1/20; 1/20; 1/20; 2/20; 3/20; and 12/20) . Of the remaining 10 isolates, 5 showed hyphal penetration of the keratin layer of the dorsal tongue epithelium, yet no mucosal reaction was elicited and no lesion was produced (1/19; 2/19; 4/20; 5/20 and 5/20) . These findings support the concept that C . albicans exhibits a spectrum of mucosal pathogenicity for dorsal rat tongue. Infect Immun, 1987 Feb, 55(2), 446 - 50 Mycobacterium leprae-burdened macrophages are refractory to activation by gamma interferon; Sibley LD et al.; Mycobacterium leprae grows to enormous numbers in the nu/nu mouse footpad, producing granulomas resembling those of lepromatous leprosy in humans . Footpad granuloma cells gorged with M . leprae were established in primary cell culture to examine their functional capabilities . These cells were classified as macrophages by the following criteria: positive staining for nonspecific esterase, reduction of Nitro Blue Tetrazolium during phagocytosis of Candida albicans, possession of Fc receptors, and possession of Mac-1 antigen . Footpad macrophages also phagocytized and supported the intracellular growth of Toxoplasma gondii . However, unlike peritoneal macrophages, footpad macrophages could not be activated to kill or inhibit T . gondii by macrophage-activating factor produced by mitogen-stimulated spleen cells or by recombinant gamma interferon . Thus, although the lepromatous macrophages appeared to be normal in many of their functions, they were defective in response to macrophage-activating signals. J Immunol, 1987 Jan 15, 138(2), 417 - 22 Idiotypy of human anti-Candida albicans antibodies: recurrence, presence of a cross-reactive autoanti-idiotypic-like activity, and role in the induction of specific in vitro antibody response; de Saint Basile G et al.; Rabbit anti-idiotypic antibodies (L12) were raised against human anti-mannan of Candida albicans (CA) antibodies isolated from the serum of a normal donor . The absorbed anti-idiotypic antiserum bound to donor anti-CA mannan antibodies but not to control immunoglobulins . Binding was inhibited by CA mannan but not by other polysaccharide antigens . L12 was shown to cross-react with anti-CA mannan-isolated antibodies or with anti-CA antibody-containing sera from individuals unrelated to the donor . IgG fraction isolated from the donor serum was repeatedly absorbed on CA mannan Sepharose to remove anti-mannan antibodies . This IgG fraction (named autoanti-idiotypic fraction) blocked, in a dose-dependent fashion, the binding of rabbit anti-idiotype to donor anti-CA mannan antibodies . Moreover, this CP-depleted IgG fraction cross-reacted with public idiotypic determinants of unrelated anti-CA mannan antibodies . Finally, L12 induced sensitized lymphocytes to produce anti-CA mannan antibodies in vitro in the absence of antigen. Mol Pharmacol, 1987 Jan, 31(1), 1 - 11 Mechanism of the selective toxicity of amphotericin B incorporated into liposomes; Juliano RL et al.; Previously, it has been shown that incorporation of the membrane channel-forming polyene antibiotic, amphotericin B (AMB), into liposomes composed of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine/dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol (7:3 ratio) results in reduced drug toxicity to animals with full retention of therapeutic activity against systemic fungal infections . In this report we explore the cellular and biochemical bases of the enhanced therapeutic index of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) . AMB and L-AMB are equally potent and both promptly induce rapid cation efflux from Candida albicans cells . By contrast, AMB, but not L-AMB, induces cation efflux and cell lysis in mammalian erythrocytes, demonstrating the selectivity of L-AMB at the cellular level . The characteristics of the lipid of the erythrocyte membrane seem to be the most important determinant of cellular sensitivity, since AMB, but not L-AMB, induces cation release from large unilamellar liposomes composed of red cell membrane lipids, thus paralleling the observations on intact cells . The ability of L-AMB to induce cation release and cause toxicity to erythrocytes, however, can be modulated by changing the lipid composition of the liposome carrier . Thus, AMB-containing liposomes composed of phospholipids with saturated acyl chains are nontoxic, whereas AMB liposomes composed of phospholipids containing unsaturated acyl chains are almost as toxic as AMB itself . The acyl chain composition rather than the head group composition seems most important, although substitution of anionic phosphatidylglycerols for phosphatidylcholines contributes somewhat to the protective effect . Analysis of several types of liposomes containing AMB at concentrations up to 5 mol %, using electron paramagnetic resonance and freeze fracture electron microscopy, shows that the drug is incorporated in the lipid bilayer but produces only modest disruptive effects on bilayer structure . Current results are interpreted in terms of a selective transfer of AMB from "donor" liposomes to "target" cell membranes . The transfer process probably occurs by diffusion of AMB through the solvent but is regulated by the physical properties of both donor and target membranes. Crit Rev Microbiol, 1987, 15(1), 103 - 10 Isolation of mutants of Candida glabrata resistant to miconazole; Nicholas RO et al.; Elucidation of the mode of action of azole antifungals would be aided by studying resistant mutants . It is difficult to obtain mutants of Candida albicans in the laboratory, and there have only been a few studies on clinical isolates which seem to be resistant because of impaired drug uptake . C . glabrata, unlike C . albicans, is haploid and more likely to give rise to resistant variants . Over 30 mutants have been isolated by selection with miconazole on solid medium and have MICs of miconazole about ten times that of the parental strain . One such mutant has a reduced growth rate and final cell yield . In intact cells, ergosterol biosynthesis is tenfold less sensitive to miconazole than in the parent . However, uptake of {3H}miconazole by cells is identical in both strains . The significance of these observations is discussed. Z Erkr Atmungsorgane, 1987, 169(1), 16 - 22 {Diagnostic bronchoscopy--mycologic and bacteriologic findings}; Mencl K et al.; The authors studied the findings of mycotic and bacterial agents in the lower air passages of 122 patients with lung disease examined by bronchoscopy . The series represents a current profile of patients investigated at the Department of tuberculosis and respiratory diseases, Pardubice hospital within 17 months of the years 1982-1983 . Bronchial swabs were compared with the findings in the swabs of the throat taken immediately before the endoscopic examination . Yeast organisms were isolated from the bronchi of 12 patients, and from the throats of 50 subjects examined . Amongst the agents isolated, Candida albicans showed the highest frequency of occurrence (68.0%) . Isolation of Aspergillus fumigatus from the bronchi revealed pulmonary mycetoma in one case . Pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacterial flora was isolated from the bronchial swabs in 40 subjects examined . A total of 47.5% findings belonged to patients suffering from inflammatory disease of the lower air passages . Isolations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the bronchial swabs of three subjects examined, where other cultivation examinations gave negative results, are considered by the authors as a contribution to the differential diagnosis in infiltrative disease of the lung . The value of examination of directed swabs at bronchoscopy by culture, the problems of contamination and the reliability of the results obtained are discussed. Ann Dermatol Venereol, 1987, 114(4), 515 - 21 {Development of dermatomycoses and their causative agents in the Lyons area . From an analysis of 6000 samples on Sabouraud's medium done over a 20-year period at a dermatology department}; Colomb D et al.; The authors have analyzed the results of cultures in Sabouraud's agar performed over a 20-year period in 6,000 patients with lesions of the skin, skin appendages and mucosae of suspected fungal origin . Throughout this period all patients, almost exclusively urban or suburban, were seen at the Dermatology out-patient consultation of a central city hospital . The 6,000 specimens were analyzed globally, with special attention to time-related changes in the 10 groups of 6,000 specimens each whenever a significant modification was observed . The analysis was divided into two parts: a review of the fungi isolated, of the manifestations they produced and of the time-related changes in their respective prevalence; a study of the fungi responsible for the main dermatological syndromes . Out of 6,000 cultures, 2,502 strains of pathogenic fungi were isolated, representing a growth rate coefficient of 41.66 p . 100 . There were 1,237 dermatophytes and 1,265 yeasts of the Candida group . However, this overall impression of two equal groups gives a wrong idea of the changes that occurred during this long period . Figure 1 clearly shows that in 20 years the number of dermatophytes increased whereas the number of Candida decreased . Figures 2 and 3 demonstrate that the rise in dermatophytes was almost exclusively due to an increase in T . rubrum and the fall in yeasts, to a decrease in Candida albicans.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Eur J Pediatr, 1987 Jan, 146(1), 31 - 3 Bacterial and fungal infections after cardiac surgery in children; Wessel A et al.; Of 245 children operated on for congenital heart diseases in 1983-1984, bacterial and fungal infections occurred in 3.6% compared to 17.8% of 469 in 1968-1972 . Staphylococcal infections decreased from 3.4%-0.8% and those by gram-negative bacteria from 6.9%-0%; Candida albicans infections increased from 0%-1.2% . Perioperative prophylaxis was performed with cefotaxime plus piperacillin in 1983-1984 versus oxacillin plus ampicillin in 1968-1972 . It is argued that reduction of the infection rate is not only due to newer and more effective antibiotics but is mainly related to more advanced surgical techniques and improved hygiene in our intensive care units. Leuk Res, 1987, 11(4), 379 - 84 The effect of low dose ARA-C on in-vitro haemopoiesis of marrow cells from myelodysplastic patients; Nagler A et al.; The effect of low dose (10(-12)-10(-7) M) ARA-C on differentiation and proliferation in liquid and semisolid culture of marrow cells from 13 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) were studied following incubation in liquid culture with low dose ARA-C . In six of ten patients an increasing number of myeloid cells acquired the morphologic appearance of mature monocyte-macrophages . Increasing number of cells reacted positively to fluoride sensitive naphthyl acetate esterase and specifically bound MY4 monoclonal antibody . Phagocytosis and killing of Candida albicans by monocyte-macrophages incubated with low dose ARA-C was normal and similar to that of the untreated cells . All MDS patients showed reduced myeloid colony and increased cluster formation . Low dose ARA-C had slight but non-significant inhibitory effects on myeloid colony growth . The results indicated that the differentiation pattern of myeloid precursor cells form a subset of MDS patients was altered by exposure to low dose ARA-C in vitro. Chem Phys Lipids, 1987 Jan-Feb, 43(1), 1 - 12 Cerebroside of the dimorphic human pathogen, Candida albicans; Matsubara T et al.; Structural studies on the cerebroside isolated from the yeast form of a dimorphic pathogen, Candida albicans were carried out using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB/MS), proton magnetic resonance spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and usual chemical methods . The component sugar was only glucose attached to ceramide in a beta-configuration . The major fatty acid was 2-hydroxystearic acid (62%) . The predominant long chain base was identified as 9-methyl-C18-sphinga-4,8-dienine which is widely distributed in fungi and reported to be essential to the fruit-inducing activity of fungi . Therefore, the structure of the main molecular species of the cerebroside was determined to be N-2-hydroxystearoyl-1-O-beta-glucosyl-9-methyl-C18-sphinga-4 ,8-dienine . Cerebroside prepared from the mycelial form of C . albicans has the same structure. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1987 Jan, 31(1), 46 - 51 Effect of antifungal agents on lipid biosynthesis and membrane integrity in Candida albicans; Georgopapadakou NH et al.; Eight antifungal agents were examined for effects on lipid biosynthesis and membrane integrity in Candida albicans . Lipids were labeled in vivo or in vitro with {14C}acetate and analyzed by thin-layer and gas chromatography . Membrane integrity was measured by a recently developed {14C}aminoisobutyric acid radiolabel release assay . The imidazole antifungal agents miconazole, econazole, clotrimazole, and ketoconazole, at concentrations inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis (0.1 microM), decreased the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids in vivo but not in vitro . Similarly, naftifine, tolnaftate, and the azasterol A25822B, at concentrations inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis (10, 100, and 1 microM, respectively), decreased the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids in vivo only . This suggests that the effect on fatty acids observed with ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors may be secondary to the effect on ergosterol . With imidazoles, oleic acid antagonized inhibition of cell growth but not inhibition of ergosterol . This suggests that, with the C-14 demethylase inhibitors, decreased unsaturated fatty acids, rather than decreased ergosterol, are responsible for growth inhibition . Cerulenin, previously reported to be a potent inhibitor of both fatty acid and ergosterol biosynthesis, was found in the present study to inhibit the former (at 5 microM) but not the latter (up to 100 microM) . Of the antifungal agents tested, econazole and miconazole (at 100 microM) produced complete release of {14C}aminoisobutyric acid, which is consistent with membrane damage. Hum Immunol, 1987 Jan, 18(1), 75 - 91 Presentation of soluble antigen to human T cells by products of multiple HLA-linked loci: analysis of antigen presentation by a panel of cloned, autologous, HLA-mutant Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines; Chen BP et al.; Epstein-Barr virus-transformed human B lymphoblastoid cell lines (EBV-LCL) can present soluble antigens to antigen-primed T lymphocytes . In this study, we used HLA antigen-loss mutants of an EBV-LCL line (LCL 721) to demonstrate that the presentation of a soluble antigen from Candida albicans (CAN) by EBV-LCL to primed T cells can be restricted by multiple HLA determinants . Haplotype-deletion mutants that contained only the maternal or only the paternal HLA-haplotype were used to demonstrate the preferential role of autologous HLA antigens in presenting soluble antigens to Candida-primed T cells from the donor of LCL-721, and to T cells from her mother and father . Immunoselected mutants of LCL-721 showing a variety of distinct phenotypes that are deficient in HLA-DR, DQ, or DP antigen expression were tested as antigen-presenting cells . The antigen-presenting ability of these class II deficient EBV-LCL variants weakened with progressive loss of class II HLA determinants expressed on the cell surface . Our study, therefore, provides evidence for multiple HLA restriction determinants, including HLA-DR, DQ, and DP . Furthermore, LCL lacking all HLA-DR, DQ, and DP expression because of homozygous deletion of these MHC class II genes still presented CAN and Tetanus toxid (TET), although to a much lesser degree than presented by LCL-721 . This suggests that determinants other than DR, DQ, and DP which are expressed on these EBV-LCL may also function as restriction elements for the proliferative T-cell response to soluble antigens. J Clin Microbiol, 1987 Jan, 25(1), 162 - 4 Comparison of Sabouraud dextrose and Pagano-Levin agar media for detection and isolation of yeasts from oral samples; Samaranayake LP et al.; The sensitivities of Sabouraud dextrose agar and modified Pagano-Levin agar for the primary isolation of yeasts and the recovery of multiple yeast species from single clinical samples were compared by using oral-rinse samples . Although there was a highly significant positive correlation between the numbers of yeasts recovered from both media, modified Pagano-Levin agar was far superior in detecting multiple yeast species in a single sample . Of 150 oral samples containing yeasts, 23 (15.3%) contained more than one yeast species . The most frequent combination of different yeasts was Candida albicans and Torulopsis glabrata. J Bacteriol, 1987 Jan, 169(1), 189 - 97 "White-opaque transition": a second high-frequency switching system in Candida albicans; Slutsky B et al.; A second high-frequency switching system was identified in selected pathogenic strains in the dimorphic yeast Candida albicans . In the characterized strain WO-1, cells switched heritably, reversibly, and at a high frequency (approximately 10(-2} between two phenotypes readily distinguishable by the size, shape, and color of colonies formed on agar at 25 degrees C . In this system, referred to as the "white-opaque transition," cells formed either "white" hemispherical colonies, which were similar to the ones formed by standard laboratory strains of C . albicans, or "opaque" colonies, which were larger, flatter, and grey . At least three other heritable colony phenotypes were generated by WO-1 and included one irregular-wrinkle and two fuzzy colony phenotypes . The basis of the white-opaque transition appears to be a fundamental difference in cellular morphology . White cells were similar in shape, size, and budding pattern to cells of common laboratory strains . In dramatic contrast, opaque cells were bean shaped and exhibited three times the volume and twice the mass of white cells, even though these alternative phenotypes contained the same amount of DNA and a single nucleus in the log phase . In addition to differences in morphology, white and opaque cells differed in their generation time, in their sensitivity to low and high temperatures, and in their capacity to form hypae . The possible molecular mechanisms involved in high-frequency switching in the white-opaque transition are considered. Eur J Respir Dis Suppl, 1987, 152, 165 - 74 Sensitization to storage mites and other work-related and common allergens among Finnish dairy farmers; Terho EO et al.; Skin-tests with the prick technique were made on 121 dairy farmers with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma (symptomatic subjects), 64 dairy farmers without respiratory symptoms (asymptomatic subjects), and 26 non-farming controls . The antigen panel consisted of the storage mites Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, and Tyrophagus putrescentiae, as well as other work-related allergens (cereal grains, animal epithelia, fungi and yeasts), and common allergens (house dust mite, pollens) . Mean areas of weals formed by individual allergens were adjusted by analysis of covariance for age, sex, and atopic background (past or present atopic dermatitis including infantile eczema) . Adjusted mean weal areas for almost all allergens, except pollens and few other allergens, were significantly larger in farmers than in non-farming controls . In contrast, only skin reactions to cow dander, to a non-dialyzed crude preparation of fodder yeast Candida utilis, and to Candida albicans distinguished symptomatic subjects from asymptomatic ones . Stepwise discriminant analysis, in which reactions to all allergens as well as age, sex, and atopy were taken into account simultaneously, revealed that reactions to a dialysed preparation of fodder yeast best distinguished symptomatic farmers from asymptomatic ones . C . utilis and C . albicans may be cross-reactive . The results imply that skin tests alone are of limited value in the search for work-related causes of rhinitis or asthma among dairy farmers . Our study confirms the importance of cow dander as an occupational allergen in dairy farming . Fodder yeast seems to be another important occupational sensitizer. Zentralbl Gynakol, 1987, 109(23), 1438 - 41 {Genital mycosis and pregnancy}; Kundisch C; Vulvovaginal mycoses could be detected by cultural methods in 16 per cent from 1,657 non selected women between their 28th to 30th gestational week . Mostly candida albicans was isolated . We propose routine screening and specific therapy preventing neonatal infections and hospitalism in obstetric and neonatal wards. J Perinatol, 1987 Summer, 7(3), 194 - 8 Amphotericin B dosage for disseminated candidiasis in premature infants; Hall JE et al.; Amphotericin B (Amp-B) serum concentrations were determined in five infants with disseminated candidiasis . All patients had positive blood cultures for Candida and one patient had Candida albicans meningitis . Amp-B sterilized the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid within four to nine days . Total doses of Amp-B varied from 11.6-62.3 mg . There was no laboratory or clinical evidence of renal toxicity . Two infants died of causes unrelated to disseminated candidiasis . Disseminated candidiasis in premature infants was treated successfully with 0.5 mg/kg doses of Amp-B, but further studies with more evaluable cases are needed to confirm the correct dose. Microbiol Immunol, 1987, 31(11), 1061 - 9 Proteinase production and pathogenicity of Candida albicans . II . Virulence for mice of C . albicans strains of different proteinase activity; Kondoh Y et al.; We have studied the virulence for mice of Candida albicans strains with different proteinase activity in the culture . The mortality rates for mice infected with the type Ia strains, which secrete proteinase whose activity porsisted for a week in vitro, were higher than those infected with the type Ib strains, which secrete proteinase whose activity declined at 2 or 3 days in vitro and the type II proteinase-deficient strains . This was substantiated by the number of colony-forming units (CFU) recovered from kidneys of mice infected with C . albicans . In the kidney tissues of mice infected with the type Ia strains, extensive invasion by fungal cells and the secretion of proteinase were histologically demonstrated, while in those infected with the type Ib and II strains fungal cells were rarely found . However, the mice infected with the type Ib strain NUM 978 were an exception; the recovery of CFU from the kidney was high, but the animals survived longer . Histologically, Candida cells were not colonized but interspersed in the tissue . Type II strain NUM 584 was found to be moderately virulent when infected at a high dose . These observations indicate that the proteinase plays a role in type Ia strains but that other factors are involved in the type Ib or II strains for the establishment of pathogenicity of C . albicans. Microbiol Immunol, 1987, 31(11), 1045 - 60 Proteinase production and pathogenicity of Candida albicans . I . Invasion into chorioallantoic membrane by C . albicans strains of different proteinase activity; Shimizu K et al.; In order to investigate a role of proteinase in the pathogenesis of Candida infections, invasion of C . albicans strains of different proteinase activity into the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of developing chicks was studied . Eight strains were used after examining the inducible proteinase activity in the culture containing bovine serum albumin as the sole source of nitrogen . Six were proteinase-producing strains (type I) and two were proteinase-deficient ones (type II) . Type I strains were subdivided into type Ia strains in which the proteinase activity persisted for a week in the in vitro culture and type Ib ones in which the enzyme activity was lost by the 7th day after inoculation . By inoculation onto CAM, the type I strains could invade the tissue in which secreted proteinase was detected on the periphery of the invading Candida cells by immunohistochemical method . At an early stage of the infection, proteinase secretion was detected on the surface of the yeast cells before their entry into the tissue . The type II strains remained on the surface of the CAM and did not invade the tissue where the secretion of the enzyme was not detected . The mortality rate of the chick embryo was not correlated with the degree of proteinase production of these strains . Two type Ib strains invaded the CAM tissue and elicited some tissue reactions by the host, yielding a low mortality rate of the chick embryos . These results suggested that the secretion of proteinase was an important factor for the invasion of CAM but other factors were also involved for the pathogenicity of C . albicans. Ann Biol Clin (Paris), 1987, 45(6), 680 - 4 {Optimization of sensitivity tests to ketoconazole . Value of experience planning in the choice of a medium}; Mary C et al.; Using factorial design, the authors evaluate the factors which influence in vitro, the anti-fungal activity of ketoconazole against a strain of Candida albicans (CBS 562) . With the four mediums most frequently used, (Sabouraud, Casitone, MEM, YNB) they precise the results concerning inoculum, pH, incubation temperature, growth time, serum concentration, and shaking . This method allows the evaluation of each factor in optimal conditions of test . In most cases, the best results are obtained with a 10(4) UFC/ml inoculum, a pH = 7, in absence of serum and without shaking . The influence of temperature is very small . In these conditions, the Casitone medium seems the most satisfactory. Ann Biol Clin (Paris), 1987, 45(6), 651 - 6 {Local production of specific antibodies in the aqueous humor in experimental Candida endophthalmia in rabbits}; Bessieres MH et al.; An increasing frequency of ocular lesions due to Candida albicans has been reported, but clinical detection of lesions, which may cause permanent blindness, remains difficult . Hematogenous endophthalmitis caused by Candida albicans in the rabbit is a useful model to study the pathogenesis of the disease, and perhaps to find new methods of biological diagnosis . A suspension of Candida albicans was injected in 15 rabbits, according to the method described by Edwards et al . In 1975, causing uni or bilateral chorioretinitis in 12 of them . Unaffected eyes were chosen as controls . After aspiration of the anterior chamber fluid, serum and aqueous humour titres of specific antibodies were determined . A local synthesis of IgG antibodies was detected, after comparison of the titres of specific antibodies in the aqueous humour and in the serum, related to the serum and aqueous humour concentrations of IgG antibodies . According to a formula proposed by Witmer and Desmonts in ocular lesions due to different pathological agents, we calculated the "C" coefficient: C = antibody titres aqueous humor/serum x IgG serum/aqueous humor . A local synthesis of specific antibodies in cases of experimental endophthalmitis leads us to believe that aqueous humour aspiration could be used in the diagnosis of endophthalmitis in humans. Microbiol Immunol, 1987, 31(7), 625 - 38 Effect of aculeacin A on reverting protoplasts of Candida albicans; Yamaguchi H et al.; Protoplasts of Candida albicans were prepared by digestion with Zymolyase and the effect of aculeacin A, a wall-active antibiotic, on the synthesis of microfibrillar structures by the protoplasts incubated for 5 hr in an osmotically stabilized medium was studied using several electron microscopical techniques . Chemical analyses of the protoplasts before and after reversion with or without the antibiotic were also performed . Aculeacin A not only inhibited synthesis of microfibrils mainly composed of alkali-insoluble beta-glucan, but also their assembly to form thicker bundles . The antibiotic appeared to have no effect on other wall components constituting the surface structure of reverting protoplasts . These data confirmed our previous postulation that aculeacin A is a specific and potent inhibitor of beta-glucan synthesis as well as biogenesis of cell walls including beta-glucans in susceptible yeasts. Int J Immunopharmacol, 1987, 9(7), 827 - 32 In vivo augmentation of natural killer cell activity by Candida albicans; Wojdani A et al.; We determined in vivo effects of Candida albicans (CA) on murine natural killer (NK) cell activity . C3H mice were treated with heat-killed CA and splenic NK cell activity assayed at 2, 7, 30 and 50 days post treatment . A single injection of CA