Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 May, 27(5), 692 - 4 Inhibitory effects of chlorpromazine on Candida species; Wood NC et al.; Chlorpromazine was tested for antifungal activity by using Candida albicans and standard assays . The MIC of chlorpromazine was 35 micrograms/ml; the minimal fungicidal concentration was also 35 micrograms/ml . The minimal effective concentration was 2.2 to 3.5 micrograms/ml (using assays based on quantitative cultures and growth) . There was a slight positive interaction between chlorpromazine and amphotericin B but no interaction between chlorpromazine and rifampin . Chlorpromazine also inhibited C . krusei, C . parapsilosis, C . tropicalis, and Torulopsis glabrata . We conclude that phenothiazines have direct anti-Candida activity and that these drugs appear to have a broad antimicrobial spectrum. Ann Inst Pasteur Microbiol, 1985 May-Jun, 136A(3), 371 - 80 A replica plating technique for in vitro study of susceptibility of Candida albicans to miconazole, econazole and ketoconazole: some data for standardization; Sanchez-Sousa A et al.; We report our studies in vitro on the activity of ketoconazole (KZ), econazole and miconazole on 115 isolates of Candida albicans of clinical origin tested by an agar dilution method with three different culture media: yeast morphology agar, Sabouraud maltose agar and Casitone agar (CA) . The antifungal effects of the imidazole compounds (IC) were strongest in CA . Eighty percent of the strains were inhibited by 0.1 micrograms/ml of KZ, the most active drug . The frequent appearance of "veil growth" at higher concentrations of the IC made the exact determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) difficult . Microscopic examination of the growth on plates at the highest drug dilutions was performed and the results compared with a replica plating technique of IC plates on other plates with antibiotic-free media . The following were observed: a) a residual capacity of cell division of Candida strains even in the presence of high antifungal concentrations to which they are considered sensitive; and b) a certain viability (7% of the cases) of some fungal cells in the residual growth, particularly in those strains with higher conventional MIC . A standardized methodology is needed for the clinical evaluation of the susceptibility tests of Candida to the imidazolic compounds. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1985 May, (5), 86 - 9 {Production of a factor inhibiting macrophage migration to the Candida albicans antigen in mice and their resistance to this microorganism}; Vorob'ev KV et al.; Resistance to C . albicans, an opportunistic microorganism, has been studied in CBA and C57BL/6 mice, oppositely responsive in the production of the factor inhibiting migration of macrophages to antigen obtained from this fungus . The study has shown that CBA mice, highly responsive in the macrophage migration inhibiting factor, are less resistant to C . albicans, while C57BL/6 mice with low response to this antigen are more resistant to this infective agent . Macrophages play, probably, a certain role in the generalization of the process because not all phagocytized C . albicans cells are digested. J Gen Microbiol, 1985 May, 131 ( Pt 5), 1217 - 21 A comparison of phospholipase activity, cellular adherence and pathogenicity of yeasts; Barrett-Bee K et al.; Phospholipase A and lysophospholipase activities were measured in the culture fluid and in the blastospores of Candida albicans . When phospholipase activity was measured in six yeasts (four strains of C . albicans and a single strain each of Candida parapsilosis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) a correlation was found between this activity and two potential parameters of pathogenicity . The C . albicans isolates which adhered most strongly to buccal epithelial cells and were most pathogenic in mice had the highest phospholipase activities . Non-pathogenic yeasts, including C . albicans isolates which did not adhere and did not kill mice, had lower phospholipase activities. Eur J Respir Dis, 1985 May, 66(5), 327 - 32 A quantitative and qualitative study of blood monocytes in smokers; Nielsen H; The effect of cigarette smoking on blood monocyte count and selected functions of isolated blood monocytes was studied in 82 subjects free of intercurrent or chronic disease, 41 smokers and 41 non-smokers . Total leukocyte counts and monocyte counts were higher in smokers than in non-smokers . In vitro functional studies of spontaneous migration, chemotactic responsiveness and phagocytosis showed no correlation with smoking habits . However, intracellular killing of Candida albicans was significantly lower in blood monocytes of smokers as compared to non-smokers . Since blood monocytes are the precursors of tissue macrophages the defective microbicidal function may represent an additional pathogenic factor in the diminished host defence observed in smokers. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 May, 27(5), 712 - 4 Effects of aminoglycoside antibiotics on polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in vivo; Venezio FR et al.; In vitro incubation of aminoglycoside antibiotics with human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) has been shown to induce abnormalities in cell function . This study was designed to determine whether there are similar abnormalities in leukocyte function after exposure to the action of these agents in vivo . Four aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin, netilmicin, and amikacin) were tested . In vitro incubation did not induce a chemotactic defect when measured by an under-agarose method . However, inhibition of candidacidal activity was reproducible after in vitro incubation of all aminoglycosides tested . Nevertheless, when the aminoglycosides were administered intravenously to normal volunteers, PMN function, including adherence to nylon wool columns, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and killing of Candida albicans, was unimpaired at 1, 3, and 24 h postinfusion . Therefore, we conclude that aminoglycoside antibiotic administration does not induce PMN dysfunction in vivo. Clin Exp Immunol, 1985 May, 60(2), 303 - 10 A non-specific inhibitor produced by Candida albicans activated T cells impairs cell proliferation by inhibiting interleukin-1 production; Lombardi G et al.; Human T lymphocytes cultured in vitro for 5 days with Candida albicans purified polysaccharide (MPPS) produce and antigen non-specific inhibitor (nsINH) which blocks cell proliferation when added at the beginning of the culture . The antigen presenting function of antigen pulsed adherent cells (macrophages) is significantly impaired by incubation in nsINH . Further analysis shows that nsINH blocks the production of interleukin-1 both from human mononuclear cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide . Furthermore, the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) is also suppressed when MPPS stimulated cells are cultured in presence of nsINH . However nsINH does not affect the appearance of IL-2 responsive cells as the addition of gibbon IL-2 to the culture fully reverses the suppressive effect of nsINH on blast transformation. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1985 May, 3(3), 233 - 42 Opsonic activity of MCP-1 and MCP-2, cationic peptides from rabbit alveolar macrophages; Fleischmann J et al.; MCP-1 and MCP-2, cationic peptides derived from rabbit alveolar macrophages, enhanced the ability of these cells to ingest Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Candida albicans in vitro . The opsonic effect of MCP-1 was potentiated by Ca++ and Mg++ and was associated with binding of the peptide to alveolar macrophages and microorganisms . MCP-1 and MCP-2 may contribute to the ability of alveolar macrophage to ingest microorganisms that gain entry to the lower respiratory tract. J Bacteriol, 1985 May, 162(2), 826 - 9 Chitin synthase in Candida albicans: comparison of digitonin-permeabilized cells and spheroplast membranes; Georgopapadakou NH et al.; The treatment of Candida albicans (yeast form) with digitonin or dimethyl sulfoxide permeabilized cells and caused the activation of chitin synthase in situ . Endogenous activation was completely prevented by the sulfhydryl reagents N-ethylmaleimide, p-chloromercuribenzoate, and 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid); partially prevented by the protease inhibitors antipain, leupeptin, and N alpha-tosyl-L-lysyl chloromethyl ketone; and also partially prevented by EDTA . Thus, a clostripain-like protease may be involved in the endogenous activation phenomenon . The pH activity profile, cofactor requirements, and kinetic parameters of the endogenously activated chitin synthase were identical to those of the trypsin-activated enzyme in protoplast membranes. Infect Immun, 1985 May, 48(2), 433 - 8 Individual evolution of digestive tract colonization of holoxenic mice by Candida albicans; Walbaum S et al.; Oral administration of various concentrations of Candida albicans to 6-day-old mice established colonization of the digestive tract without mortality . After being weaned (day 21), the development of colonization was studied in a group of mice by daily counting of the number of CFU contained in the feces of each animal . Two features concerning the development of colonization were noted . The course of colonization in individual mice was highly erratic and lead to either transitory or sometimes long-lasting colonization . These results show the importance of a dynamic study of colonization, a condition necessary for any experimental study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 May, 27(5), 832 - 5 Activity of UK-49,858, a bis-triazole derivative, against experimental infections with Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes; Richardson K et al.; The therapeutic potential of UK-49,858, a difluorophenyl bis-triazole derivative, has been assessed by evaluating its activity against systemic infections with Candida albicans in normal mice and rats and in mice with impaired defence mechanisms, against vaginal infections with C . albicans in mice, and against dermal infections with Trichophyton mentagrophytes in guinea pigs . Orally administered ketoconazole was used as a comparative agent throughout, and parenterally administered amphotericin B was included in the study of C . albicans systemic infection in normal mice . The activity of UK-49,858 given orally to mice or rats infected systemically with C . albicans was far superior to that of ketoconazole . In addition, UK-49,858 showed activity comparable to that of amphotericin B when given parenterally, although the latter gave more prolonged protection . UK-49,858 was also effective orally in curing experimental candidal vaginitis in mice and trichophytosis in guinea pigs, against which it was approximately 10 times more active than ketoconazole . These data suggest that UK-49,858 may be of value in the treatment of both C . albicans and dermatophyte fungal infections in man. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1985 Apr 29, 828(3), 247 - 54 Synthetic derivatives of N3-fumaroyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid inactivate glucosamine synthetase from Candida albicans; Milewski S et al.; Synthetic derivatives of N3-fumaroyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid constitute the novel group of glutamine analogs . They are powerful, competitive inhibitors of the glucosamine synthetase (2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose-6-phosphate ketol-isomerase (amino-transferring), EC 5.3.1.19) from Candida albicans with respect to glutamine and uncompetitive with respect to D-fructose 6-phosphate . Some of the compounds tested irreversibly inactivate glucosamine synthetase with Kinact values of 10(-4) to 10(-6) M . The addition of glutamine protects enzyme from the inactivation, while the absence of D-fructose 6-phosphate lowers the rate of inactivation . An ordered, sequential mechanism is suggested for binding of the inhibitors to the glutamine-binding site . A number of tested compounds act as active-site-directed, irreversible inhibitors . It is suggested that derivatives of N3-fumaroyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid should be classified as mechanism-based enzyme inactivators . Structural requirements for an effective inactivator containing N3-fumaroyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid moiety are discussed. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 1985 Apr, 19(4), 237 - 46 Candidosis of the genital tract in non-pregnant women; Gough PM et al.; PIP: This prospective study was aimed at determining the prevalence of specific signs and symptoms in nonpregnant women harboring Candida albicans in the lower genital tract . Of 300 women randomly selected from a sexually transmitted diseases clinic, 93 (31%) harbored C albicans and 1 carried C glabrata in the lower genital tract . Perineal isolations were recorded in 58 (62%) of the 94 women with Candida . 50 of the women had another genital infection . 84 (89%) of the 94 women with Candida had at least 1 moderate or marked symptom or clinical sign, predominantly vaginal discharge . Of the 300 women studied, 146 were using oral contraceptives (OCs); 51 (35%) of OC users had Candida compared with 43 (28%) of nonusers--a nonsignificant difference . Finally, the incidence of trichomoniasis, anaerobic vaginitis, and other nonspecific genital infection was lower among women with Candida than among the others . Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 4(2), 98 - 101 Evaluation of the Ramco latex agglutination test in the early diagnosis of systemic candidiasis; Burnie JP et al.; The value of the Ramco latex agglutination test in the diagnosis of systemic candidiasis was determined using 225 serum samples from 30 patients with systemic candidiasis, 81 serum samples from patients colonized with Candida albicans and 400 control serum samples from hospital patients with no evidence of Candida albicans infection . Results were positive (titres greater than or equal to 1:4) in 20 of the patients with systemic candidiasis; ten had titres of 1:8 . Only one of the 81 sera from colonized patients was positive (titre greater than 1:4); this serum came from a patient with colonization of the intravenous catheter . No positive results (titres greater than 1:2) were obtained in the control sera once rheumatoid factor was excluded . The test reliably differentiated between colonization and systemic infection but failed to detect some cases of systemic infection . A poor detection rate was seen in cases where only one serum sample was taken . The importance of taking daily serum samples for continuous monitoring is emphasised . Rheumatoid factor positivity and intravenous line colonization should be excluded when interpreting a result. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {C}, 1985 Apr, 93(2), 49 - 52 Influence of five different anticoagulants on human blood monocyte isolation and functional activities; Nielsen H; The recovery of blood monocytes after centrifugation with metrizoate/polysucrose was high with EDTA (97.0%) and heparin (91.6%) as anticoagulants, moderate with EGTA and citrate, but low with oxalate (52.3%; P less than 0.05 compared with heparin) . There were no differences in viability, spontaneous migration, chemotaxis, or phagocytosis and killing of Candida albicans by the monocytes isolated from blood anticoagulated with heparin, citrate, oxalate, EDTA, or EGTA . However, heparin in concentrations above 20 IU/ml decreased the spontaneous migration and chemotaxis . It is concluded, that EDTA and heparin below 20 IU/ml are the most satisfactory anticoagulants for the functional study of blood monocytes isolated by metrizoate/polysucrose density centrifugation. Am J Perinatol, 1985 Apr, 2(2), 121 - 2 Prenatal diagnosis of Candida albicans chorioamnionitis; Romero R et al.; The use of diagnostic amniocentesis has been proposed for the evaluation of patients with clinical suspicion of chorioamnionitis, such as those with premature rupture of membranes and premature labor . We describe a patient in whom the diagnosis of Candida chorioamnionitis was made after diagnostic amniocentesis with the assistance of a simple and rapidly performed potassium hydroxide smear. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Apr, 27(4), 625 - 31 Immunoadjuvant activity of amphotericin B as displayed in mice infected with Candida albicans; Bistoni F et al.; Mice receiving a single intraperitoneal injection of amphotericin B showed increased resistance to subsequent challenge with either Candida albicans or Staphylococcus aureus . This enhancement of resistance was obvious in terms of both survival criteria and clearance of the intravenously injected organism from different organs . The protective effect of amphotericin B was conditioned by dose, time of drug administration, and size of yeast or bacterial inoculum and was reversed by cyclophosphamide . Effector cells from mice treated with amphotericin B displayed enhanced fungicidal activity in vitro as measured in a short-term 51Cr release assay . Macrophages from intact animals exposed in vitro to amphotericin B also acquired strong candidacidal reactivity. J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 131 ( Pt 4), 775 - 80 Mechanism of action of nikkomycin and the peptide transport system of Candida albicans; McCarthy PJ et al.; Nikkomycin was found to be a potent growth inhibitor of Candida albicans through competitive inhibition of chitin synthase {Ki = 0.16 microM (0.1 microgram ml-1)} . The activity of the peptide-nucleoside drug was antagonized by both peptone and defined peptides . Transported dipeptides were effective antagonists while transported oligopeptides were not . A mutant of C . albicans resistant to the effects of nikkomycin through a transport defect was unable to transport dipeptides, while oligopeptide uptake was apparently unaffected . At least two peptide permeases are operational in this organism. J Immunol, 1985 Apr, 134(4), 2658 - 65 In vitro natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity against Candida albicans: macrophage precursors as effector cells; Baccarini M et al.; Bone marrow cells, cultured in L-929 CSF, consist of cells of granulocyte and macrophage lineages . Cells of the granulocyte lineage are known to be cytotoxic for Candida albicans . In this paper we report that macrophage precursor cells also display strong cell-mediated cytotoxicity against the yeast form of the dimorphic fungus C . albicans . The macrophage precursors responsible for this activity are nylon wool-nonadherent, nonphagocytic cells and lack asialo GM1 surface antigen . A purified population of macrophage precursors (greater than 95%) was obtained by means of Percoll density centrifugation . The interaction of these purified effectors with the target yeast cells was analyzed at a single cell level, and their activity was compared with that displayed by cells of the granulocytic series derived from the same bone marrow culture . Macrophage precursor cells proved to be more effective in binding the target cells and showed the same killing ability as the granulocytes: macrophage precursors were not damaged by contact with the target, in contrast to that which happened with granulocytes . In a long-term colony-forming unit assay, in fact, granulocytic cells showed a decrease over time in their ability to inhibit the growth of C . albicans, probably due to cell damage and death after the interaction with the target . In contrast, no loss of activity was observed with the macrophage precursor fraction . The same macrophage precursor cells also proved able to exert good natural killer activity against YAC-1 lymphoma cells, but not against P815 mastocytoma cells, as reported previously . The macrophage precursor cells, when cultivated in vitro to mature macrophages, lost completely their natural cytotoxicity against C . albicans and YAC-1 cells . The implications of these findings, as well as the possible role in vivo of such a precursor cell population during an infection, are discussed. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {C}, 1985 Apr, 93(2), 85 - 9 Phagocytosis and killing of Candida albicans by blood monocytes from patients with non-seminomatous testicular carcinoma: effect of chemotherapy; Nielsen H et al.; Blood monocytes were isolated from 14 patients with non-seminomatous testicular carcinoma and tested for phagocytic and fungicidal activity towards Candida albicans . Before chemotherapy, monocyte function in the patients was not different from that of normal controls . However, patients with alpha-foetoprotein in their serum had a lower phagocytic activity compared with patients without alpha-foetoprotein . No correlation with the histology of the tumor, the clinical stage or the presence in serum of human chorionic gonadotropin was observed . Serum from the patients had no influence on the functions of normal monocytes . During intensive chemotherapy with cisplatinum, bleomycin and vinblastine, a reversible impairment in phagocytosis and killing of C . albicans occurred which had no correlation with the development of febrilia . Two months after the completion of chemotherapy the monocyte functions were unchanged as compared with pretreatment values . In conclusion, the temporary depression of monocyte functions towards C . albicans during chemotherapy might, in addition to other risk factors, predispose the patient to fungal infection. Sabouraudia, 1985 Apr, 23(2), 107 - 18 Characterization of Candida antigens by crossed-immunoaffinoelectrophoresis; Bruneau SM et al.; The antigens of three Candida albicans strains (3153 A, 3156 B and CBS 1905) and one C . tropicalis strain were studied by means of crossed-immunoaffinoelectrophoresis with the corresponding polyvalent antisera . Most antigens (from 63.8% to 77.7% depending on the strain) were bound to concanavalin A-sepharose and about 20% to blue cibacron-sepharose for all the strains tested . Free concanavalin A, wheat germ lectin-sepharose and Helix pomatia lectin-sepharose revealed differences between C . albicans 3153 A and C . albicans CBS 1905 on the one hand and C . albicans 3156 B and C . tropicalis on the other, since affinity percentages were from 4.2 to 10.2 and from 14.2 to 20.0 respectively . Among 10 previously described species-specific antigens of C . albicans, 4 were never bound and 5 were bound to concanavalin A-sepharose which was considered an unsuitable agent for antigen purification since it retained 77% of C . albicans antigens . One important species-specific antigen was bound to blue cibacron sepharose and the corresponding purification could be undertaken . Similar results were found for 12 species-specific antigens of C . tropicalis . Blue cibacron-sepharose as well as wheat germ lectin or Helix pomatia lectin-sepharose were found suitable agents for purification of some of them. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed), 1985 Mar 9, 290(6470), 746 - 8 Outbreak of systemic Candida albicans in intensive care unit caused by cross infection; Burnie JP et al.; The first documented outbreak of systemic candidosis shown to be due to cross infection with a particular strain of Candida albicans is reported . Over nine months in an intensive care unit 13 patients developed definite and one probable systemic candidosis . Twenty five further patients had superficial candidal infections . The strain that caused the outbreak (serotype A, morphotype A1, biotype 0/(1)5 5/7) was responsible for all the cases of systemic candidosis acquired in the intensive care unit, 11 (44%) of the superficial candidal infections in the unit, and 17% of candidal infections outside the unit but in the same hospital . The strain was also isolated from oral swabs taken from four nurses working in the unit and the hands of one of these nurses . Two out of 17 nurses were shown to have acquired the strain on their hands when examined immediately after nursing systemically infected patients . No environmental source could be identified . The strain also showed enhanced survival in handwashing experiments and was relatively resistant to Hibiscrub . Management of patients with systemic candidosis might include measures to prevent cross infection and handwashing with disinfectants that are active against candida. Curr Eye Res, 1985 Mar, 4(3), 243 - 52 Studies in experimental keratomycosis; O'Day DM; The study of experimental fungal infections requires effective animal models . Two such models in the rabbit model have been developed and applied to various aspects of topical antifungal therapy . In these models, the polyenes, as a class, are superior in efficacy to the imidazoles and flucytosine, but efficacy is clearly strain related . Corticosteroids, when administered concomitantly with antifungal agents, adversely influence antifungal activity in vivo . This steroid effect is inversely proportional to the efficacy of the antifungal agent . The corneal epithelium appears to be a significant barrier to the penetration of the polyene antibiotics . Although the predictive power of in vitro susceptibility testing as a guide to in vivo efficacy is uncertain, a correlation was seen between the in vivo and in vitro effect for amphotericin B against three strains of Candida albicans. J Clin Hosp Pharm, 1985 Mar, 10(1), 79 - 88 Growth of microorganisms in total parenteral nutrition mixtures and related clinical observations; Scott EM et al.; The effect of lipid addition to TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) solutions on microbial growth was investigated . Staphylococcus epidermidis, which failed to grow or grew poorly in the absence of lipid, reached greater than 10(4) cfu/ml (colony forming units per ml), from an initial inoculum of approximately 50 cfu/ml after 24 h when lipid was added . Candida albicans grew more slowly in the presence of lipid, but nevertheless reached 10(4) cfu/ml after 40 h incubation . Klebsiella aerogenes grew readily in all solutions, whereas Escherichia coli failed to grow in any solution . Growth of S . epidermidis and K . aerogenes was improved when the inoculum consisted of starved cells; however, growth of starved cells of C . albicans lagged behind that of unstarved cells . The ability of S . epidermidis to grow in lipid-containing TPN mixtures is particularly important, since this organism is frequently associated with sepsis . In an infant surgical unit, where TPN is under the care of a nutrition team, samples of TPN fluids and giving sets were examined for microbiological contamination at the end of the 24 h administration period . Contamination was found in eight of the 98 systems examined from eight patients . The organisms were identified as coagulase-negative staphylococci and diphtheroids. Clin Exp Immunol, 1985 Mar, 59(3), 716 - 24 Antigens of Aspergillus fumigatus . III . Comparative immunochemical analyses of clinically relevant aspergilli and related fungal taxa; Piechura JE et al.; Cell sap (CS) of the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus strain Ag-507 was fractionated by Sephadex G-200 column chromatography . A protein fraction designated CS3 was partially characterized by two dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and analytical ultracentrifugation . CS3 consisted mainly of low molecular weight components (14 K-43 K) of the whole CS, and produced one peak in analytical ultracentrifugation with an Sapp of 4.25 . CS3 was demonstrated to be different from a previously characterized CS fraction designated as CS2, by 2-DE, and by CS2 and CS3 specific antisera . CS3 gave precipitin reactions with three aspergilloma patient sera and 100% of sera from allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) patients . Significantly, three ABPA patient sera reacted with CS3 and not CS2 . The CS of A . fumigatus strains Ag-515 and Ag-534, were also examined for the presence of CS3 components as were CS preparations of five additional Aspergillus species; A . flavus, A . fischeri, A . terreus, Neosartorya (Aspergillus) fennelliae, and A . niger, and three fungal taxa; Penicillium notatum, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae . 2-DE, immunoelectrophoresis and double diffusion (DD) analyses of the CS preparations provided complementary information . The immunochemical similarity of CS2 and CS3 components of different aspergilli appears to reflect the taxonomic relatedness of the aspergilli . Additionally, aspergilli exhibiting CS2 and CS3 components most similar to A . fumigatus strain Ag-507 are more frequently isolated from aspergillosis patients . There may be an association of these components with incidence of involvement of the organisms in aspergillosis . DD analysis of the cross-reactivity of CS of all taxa with ABPA and aspergilloma patient sera supported the 2-DE and absorption data. Nurs Clin North Am, 1985 Mar, 20(1), 227 - 34 Symposium on infections in the compromised host . The leukemias; Newman KA; The treatment of acute leukemia in the adult causes prolonged and profound granulocytopenia . When the patient has less than 100 granulocytes per microliter, the risk of life-threatening infection is extremely high . Major infections include bacteremia, pneumonia, pharyngitis, esophagitis, colitis, perianal or perirectal lesions, and cellulitis . The major organisms are gram-negative bacilli (especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae), gram-positive organisms (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus), the yeasts (Candida albicans and Torulopsis glabrata), and the filamentous fungi (Aspergillus flavus and fumigatus) . Infection prevention includes the return to normal of the patient's host defense mechanisms, reduction of invasive procedures which breach body barriers, and methods to decrease the acquisition of potential pathogens, and to reduce the number of organisms colonizing the patient. J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Mar, 131 ( Pt 3), 505 - 13 Killing of yeast, germ-tube and mycelial forms of Candida albicans by murine effectors as measured by a radiolabel release microassay; Baccarini M et al.; Candida albicans undergoes yeast to mycelial conversion under both in vivo and in vitro conditions but the relative pathogenicity of the two forms of growth is still unknown . By adapting a recently developed 51Cr radiolabel release assay, we have quantified the killing ability of different murine effector cell populations for the hyphal form of C . albicans . Up to 50% of specific 51Cr release from the mycelial form could be detected after incubation for only 1 h, with no requirement for opsonization, provided that appropriate effector: target cell ratios were used . The specific 51Cr release correlated well with viability, as assessed by dye exclusion tests, and with pathogenicity potential in cyclophosphamide-immunodepressed mice . Comparison of the activity of different murine effectors against yeast and hyphal forms showed that hyphal forms were killed by murine effectors to a similar, if not greater, extent than yeast forms . In particular, thioglycollate-induced murine polymorphonuclear neutrophils were able to kill hyphal cells extracellularly and without an opsonic requirement. J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Mar, 131 ( Pt 3), 495 - 503 Extracellular polymer of Candida albicans: isolation, analysis and role in adhesion; McCourtie J et al.; Extracellular polymeric material (EP) was isolated from culture supernatants of Candida albicans grown on carbon sources (50 mM-glucose, 500 mM-sucrose or 500 mM-galactose) known to promote yeast adhesion to different extents . Galactose-grown yeasts, which are the most adherent, produced more EP than sucrose-grown organisms, particularly after incubation for 5 d, while glucose-grown yeasts (the least adherent) gave the lowest yield . EP produced on all three carbon sources was of similar composition and contained carbohydrate (65 to 82%; mannose with some glucose), protein (7%), phosphorus (0.5%) and glucosamine (1.5%) . Serological studies indicated that these EP preparations were immunologically identical but that galactose-grown yeasts had more antigenic determinants than sucrose-grown organisms while glucose-grown yeasts had the fewest determinants . Antigenic differences were apparent between EP preparations of some strains of C . albicans . Pretreatment of acrylic strips with EP to form a polymeric coating promoted yeast adhesion to the acrylic surface, but similar pretreatment of buccal epithelial cells with EP inhibited subsequent yeast adhesion . These results indicate that EP originates from the cell surface of C . albicans and that it contains the surface component(s), probably mannoprotein in nature, responsible for yeast adhesion. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1985 Mar, 15(3), 263 - 9 Chemical and antigenic alterations of Candida albicans cell walls related to the action of amphotericin B sub-inhibitory doses; Al-Bassam T et al.; Sub-inhibitory doses of amphotericin B led to Candida albicans cell wall modifications which involved peptidomannans . The amount of this product was reduced by a third, the decrease being due to mannans whose absolute and relative values fell whereas the amount of amino-acids increased . Concomitantly, the treated cells exhibited a loss in their immunological reactivity. J Oral Rehabil, 1985 Mar, 12(2), 177 - 82 The effectiveness, in vitro, of miconazole and ketoconazole combined with tissue conditioners in inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans; Quinn DM; Two recent antifungal agents, miconazole and ketoconazole, were combined with three tissue conditioners and tested in vitro for their effects on the growth of Candida albicans . Studies for comparison were carried out using the earlier antifungal agents, amphotericin B and nystatin . Miconazole and ketoconazole were as effective as nystatin in completely inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans . The ineffectiveness of amphotericin B when combined with tissue conditioners as an antifungal agent was confirmed . (See Addendum p.181.). J Bacteriol, 1985 Mar, 161(3), 1131 - 6 Instability of Candida albicans hybrids; Whelan WL et al.; Total cellular DNA content, determined by a colorimetric method, was used as an index of ploidy in Candida albicans . Mononucleate hybrids were formed by fusion of spheroplasts derived from diploid parent strains . Five hybrids, of six studied, were taken to be tetraploid on the basis of estimated DNA content . One hybrid was taken to be hexaploid or near-hexaploid . Selection for increased resistance to 5-fluorocytosine in the hybrids, which were heterozygous for resistance, resulted in isolation of variants which were of lower ploidy than the hybrids from which they originated . Variants were obtained which corresponded (in measured DNA content) to aneuploid, triploid, and diploid states . These results may form the basis of a cyclic parasexual system (2n X 2n----4n----2n) for genetic analysis of this asexual species. J Med Chem, 1985 Mar, 28(3), 278 - 81 Synthesis of new polyoxin derivatives and their activity against chitin synthase from Candida albicans; Emmer G et al.; Two analogues of L-alanylpolyoxin C with a modified peptide bond were synthesized and tested for inhibition of chitin synthase in Candida albicans . N-Methylation of the peptide bond (compound 13) or the replacement of it by NH2CH2 (compound 9) led to loss of activity in the enzyme assay . A novel analogue (compound 5) of nikkomycin was synthesized from uracil polyoxin C and (2S,3R)-3-hydroxyhomotyrosine, a component of echinocandin C . Despite high activity in the chitin synthase assay, 5 had no inhibitory effect on cells of C . albicans. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1985 Mar, 75(3), 388 - 94 Induction of antigen-specific suppressor cells in patients with hay fever receiving immunotherapy; Nagaya H; In order to evaluate the effect of immunotherapy on subpopulations of lymphocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were fractionated into T and non-T cells by incubating in anti-immunoglobulin-coated plates . T cells were further fractionated into rye grass antigen-adherent and nonadherent fractions and human serum albumin (HSA)-adherent and nonadherent fractions by incubating in rye grass antigen-coated and HSA-coated plates, respectively . The mean rye antigen-stimulated proliferative response of rye antigen-adherent fraction was significantly lower than that of rye antigen-nonadherent fraction in patients with rye grass hay fever receiving immunotherapy . There was no difference in the rye antigen-stimulated proliferative response between the HSA-adherent and nonadherent fractions . Both the rye antigen-adherent and nonadherent fractions proliferated similarly when they were stimulated by an unrelated antigen, Candida albicans . The rye antigen-stimulated proliferative response of rye antigen-nonadherent cells could be suppressed by coculturing with rye antigen-adherent cells from patients receiving immunotherapy . Furthermore, the treatment of cocultures with monoclonal antibody against suppressor-cytotoxic T cell (OKT8) subpopulation and guinea pig serum complement reversed the suppression . In patients receiving no immunotherapy, there was no difference in the rye grass antigen-stimulated proliferative response between the rye antigen-adherent and nonadherent fractions . These results suggest that immunotherapy induces a subpopulation of T cells that are adherent to antigen-coated plates and are capable of suppressing T cell proliferation stimulated by the specific antigen. J Immunol Methods, 1985 Feb 11, 76(2), 247 - 53 A flow cytometric method for the measurement of phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leucocytes; Wilson RM et al.; A new method for the measurement of phagocytosis of Candida albicans by human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) is described using a fluorescence activated cell sorter . We have used acridine orange to discriminate between PMN which have internalised yeast particles and those which have not . This method allows accurate measurement of particle phagocytosis as an event distinct from particle adherence . It also permits detailed examination of the kinetics of phagocytosis, the study of which is likely to be of value in the investigation of diseases where abnormalities of PMN function are suspected. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Feb, 27(2), 252 - 6 Specific inhibition of fungal sterol biosynthesis by SF 86-327, a new allylamine antimycotic agent; Ryder NS; SF 86-327 is a new antimycotic agent of the allylamine type . Its primary action appears to be the inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis at the point of squalene epoxidation, as was previously found with the related compound naftifine . Biosynthesis was measured by incorporation of {14C}acetate into sterols in cells of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Torulopsis glabrata, and the dermatophyte Trichophyton mentagrophytes . There was a positive correlation between the SF 86-327 concentrations needed for inhibition of growth and of sterol synthesis in these four fungi . The greater antifungal efficacy of SF 86-327 in comparison with naftifine was also reflected in the relative activities of the two compounds as sterol synthesis inhibitors . Inhibition was maximal at neutral pH . A similar degree of inhibition was found in cell-free extracts when {14C}mevalonate was used as substrate . In all cases, inhibition of sterol synthesis was accompanied by a parallel accumulation of labeled squalene . SF 86-327 and naftifine had no significant effect on initial enzymes of the ergosterol pathway, measured by incorporation of {14C}acetyl coenzyme A, or on steps distal to squalene epoxidation, measured by conversion of labeled squalene 2,3-epoxide or lanosterol . Both allylamines were highly selective for fungal, as opposed to mammalian, sterol biosynthesis . SF 86-327 caused slight inhibition of squalene epoxidation in a rat liver cell-free system, but at concentrations three to four orders of magnitude greater than those required for inhibition of the fungal pathway. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1985 Feb, 180(2-3), 155 - 64 {Prevention of mycoses caused by yeasts}; Seeliger HP; The wide-spread ubiquitous occurrence of molds and great masses of aerial spores (conidia, arthrospores etc.) as well as of yeast species with facultative pathogenicity, renders prophylaxis of respective human infections caused by such opportunists, rather difficult . Suppression of such fungi and continuous surveillance of endangered patients require considerable efforts and costs . Adequate control is particularly cumbersome in Candida infections, since the causative yeasts may be considered as "normal" commensals of the mucous membranes in many individuals . Overt secondary infections are frequently of endogenous origin, hence the name "endomycoses" as introduced by Gemeinhardt (1976) . Under particular conditions such as care for patients with extended burns, or patients after bone-marrow transplantation or irradiation of the whole body, or patients after joint surgery, the complete elimination of yeasts is just as essential as the antibacterial decontamination over a limited period of time . In other groups of individuals similar drastic measures of control against Candida albicans are not deemed necessary . Reduction of local Candida cell counts to amounts below the individual level of tolerance may be deemed sufficient . Since the level of tolerance is, however, extremely low in infants and in many patients of the intensive care wards, especially in cases of malignant immunocytomas and leukemias of various nature, prophylaxis by proper hygienic measures and eventual preventive antimycotic treatment is an integral part of proper control. Sabouraudia, 1985 Feb, 23(1), 55 - 61 Intravenous miconazole therapy for experimental keratomycosis in rabbits; Ishibashi Y et al.; Intravenous miconazole (90 mg daily for 3 weeks) reduced the intensity of experimental fungal keratitis due to Candida albicans in a group of 10 rabbits . Clinical scores of affected eyes were statistically significantly lower in the treated group than in a control group of 10 untreated rabbits . All cultures of corneal scrapings were negative on 18th day after inoculation in the treated group, but four cultures were still positive on the 21st day in the control animals . Histopathological examination of eyes from treated and untreated rabbits showed great differences in the severity of inflammatory changes in the two groups. J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Feb, 21(2), 276 - 7 Isolation and detection of multiple yeasts from a single clinical sample by use of Pagano-Levin agar medium; Yamane N et al.; A total of 15,234 clinical samples were tested on modified Pagano-Levin agar medium to detect multiple yeast species within a single sample . Samples containing more than one yeast species were estimated to be 8.0% of the total . The most frequent combination of different yeasts was Candida albicans and Torulopsis glabrata. Infect Immun, 1985 Feb, 47(2), 480 - 3 Role of tetracycline in pathogenesis of chronic candidiasis of rat tongues; Allen CM et al.; Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups . Group 1 animals received tetracycline solution (0.1% during week 1 and 0.01% thereafter) as drinking water, as in previous studies . Group 2 animals received double-distilled demineralized water . Animals in both groups were inoculated orally with an equal number of viable, mucosally pathogenic Candida albicans organisms . After 20 weeks, inspection of the tongues showed gross lesions in 16 of the 20 animals in group 1 and 17 of the 20 in group 2 . These lesions were confirmed histologically . No significant difference in the number of lesions was noted between the two groups . However, the lesions in group 1 animals were significantly larger than those in group 2 animals . These results suggest that, given this mucosally pathogenic strain of C . albicans, the establishment of a chronic infection of the rat tongue is apparently not influenced by tetracycline-treated drinking water as administered in this study . This suggests that antibiotic exposure is not an essential factor in the pathogenesis of this lesion . A larger lesion area, however, does appear to be related to the use of tetracycline solution as drinking water. Blood, 1985 Feb, 65(2), 433 - 40 Rapid method for isolation of normal human peripheral blood eosinophils on discontinuous Percoll gradients and comparison with neutrophils; Roberts RL et al.; Previous studies on human eosinophils often have used cells from patients with hypereosinophilia syndrome or parasitosis owing to the difficulty in isolating pure populations of eosinophils from normal individuals . In the present study, human eosinophils were isolated with a purity of 97%, with 70% recovery from normal individuals with blood eosinophil counts of less than 3% . Human eosinophils are denser than neutrophils, but the range of densities of the two cell types overlap, making purification of eosinophils by density-gradient centrifugation difficult . However, if neutrophils were exposed to the chemotactic peptide (f-Met-Leu-Phe), which did not stimulate eosinophils, the neutrophils' density decreased, shifting them away from the density of eosinophils . Whole normal blood anticoagulated with EDTA was incubated at 37 degrees C for 15 minutes with 10(-6) mol/L f-Met-Leu-Phe and then layered over a discontinuous Percoll gradient (65% and 75% in diluted phosphate-buffered saline) and centrifuged at 400 g for 25 minutes at 22 degrees C . The cell layer between the 65% and 75% Percoll was collected and washed, and hypotonic lysis was used to remove erythrocytes . This cell layer contained 97.3 +/- 0.7% eosinophils (N = 8) with a yield of 4.9 X 10(4) eosinophils per milliliter of whole blood, or 70% of the total eosinophil count . The isolated eosinophils were in a quiescent state but responded to Escherichia coli endotoxin-activated serum with shape change and chemotaxis, membrane depolarization, and reduced nitroblue tetrazolium (96.0 +/- 1.0%), when stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate . In phagocytic assays, 89.3 +/- 1.3% of the eosinophils ingested Candida albicans v 96.0% +/- 1.0% of neutrophils . In contrast, the eosinophils did not respond chemotactically, alter membrane potential, or reduce nitroblue tetrazolium when treated with f-Met-Leu-Phe, and studies with f-Met-Leu-{3H}Phe showed that normal eosinophils lacked expression of receptors for f-Met-Leu-Phe . In control studies, normal eosinophils that were not exposed to f-Met-Leu-Phe during purification also failed to respond to f-Met-Leu-Phe, indicating intrinsic differences between normal eosinophils and neutrophils . Thus, exposure of whole blood to f-Met-Leu-Phe, followed by separation on Percoll is a simple method for rapid isolation of normal human eosinophils. J Cell Sci, 1985 Feb, 73, 207 - 20 Three-dimensional behaviour of mitochondria during cell division and germ tube formation in the dimorphic yeast Candida albicans; Tanaka K et al.; This study was done to correlate mitochondrial behaviour with nuclear behaviour and cell division as well as with the germ tube formation in the dimorphic yeast Candida albicans . Three-dimensional reconstruction of electron micrographs of serially sectioned cells of the three strains was used to determined the morphological and quantitative relationships between the structures . The results suggested that at the time of entry into the bud a few mitochondria fused into a single giant one, which fragmented during mitosis and resumed a single giant form before cytokinesis, and was then partitioned into two parts . This tendency was also shown during germ tube formation . Quantitative analysis has established that growth of organelles such as the nucleus and mitochondria closely followed total cell growth, the ratio of organelle volume to total cell volume being held relatively constant. Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci, 1985 Feb, 63 ( Pt 1), 53 - 63 Divergent expression of cytotoxic and microbicidal functions of rabbit alveolar and peritoneal macrophages: effects of non-specific activation and a natural microbicidal peptide, MCP-1; Sorrell TC et al.; Alveolar macrophages from NZW rabbits were intrinsically toxic to 6 xenogeneic cell lines and to Candida albicans in vitro . Macrophage-mediated candidacidal activity, but not cytostasis (inhibition of {3H} thymidine incorporation by target cells) or cytotoxicity (reduction in target cell number), was enhanced by prior injection of rabbits with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) . Compared with alveolar macrophages, peritoneal macrophages were less candidacidal (median C . albicans killed, 24% versus 16%, p less than 0.01) . In contrast to alveolar macrophages, peritoneal macrophages were not consistently cytostatic or cytotoxic . Only candidacidal activity was enhanced in FCA-elicited peritoneal macrophages (median C . albicans killed 28% versus 16% for resident peritoneal macrophages, p less than 0.01) . Microbicidal concentrations of a cationic peptide produced by rabbit alveolar macrophages (MCP-1, 25-100 micrograms/ml) did not inhibit growth of 4 murine cell lines in vitro . Macrophage-mediated cytostasis and cytotoxicity were not enhanced by culture with exogenous MCP-1 . Macrophage-mediated cytostasis was also unchanged in cultures containing 10(-5) 2' deoxycytidine . We conclude that rabbit macrophage populations are restricted in their expression of cytostatic and cytotoxic functions, that microbicidal activation can occur independently of cytotoxic activation and that in this system mechanisms of macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity to xenogeneic target cells are independent of MCP-1 and thymidine. Sabouraudia, 1985 Feb, 23(1), 81 - 3 Unilateral involvement of kidneys in mice infected with Candida albicans; Kwon-Chung KJ et al.; Mice injected with 10(3) cells of a virulent isolate of Candida albicans via the lateral tail vein developed frequent unilateral abnormalities of the right but not the left kidneys . Initially the number of colony forming units in the right and left kidneys were similar but the number of colonies became consistently higher in the right kidneys as the infection progressed . The frequency of unilateral involvement decreased when the inoculum size was increased to 5 X 10(3) cells . These observations indicate that when growth of C . albicans in vivo is monitored over a period of time starting with a low inoculum, it is critical to be consistent in culturing kidneys from the same side. Sabouraudia, 1985 Feb, 23(1), 63 - 8 Germ tube-forming cells of Candida albicans are more susceptible to clotrimazole-induced killing than yeast cells; Niimi M et al.; Yeast and germ tube-forming cells of Candida albicans were compared with respect to their susceptibility to killing induced by the imidazole antifungal clotrimazole . Cultures consisting largely of germ tube-forming cells or exclusively yeast cells were prepared by incubating cells of a germ tube-proficient strain in a proline-containing phosphate buffer at 37 degrees C or 25 degrees C, respectively . When treated with clotrimazole at 37 degrees C, the cultures of germ tube cells lost colony-forming ability much more rapidly than those of yeast cells . However, this difference was diminished in the cells preincubated at 37 degrees C but prevented from forming germ tubes by 5 mM cysteine, a suppressor of germ tube formation . In another C . albicans isolate showing a very poor capacity to form germ tubes at 37 degrees C, such a difference in killing rate was much smaller than that for the germ tube-proficient strain . Furthermore, when an isogenic pair of strains, one proficient and the other deficient in germ tube formation, were compared with each other, germ tube-forming cultures of the former were found to be more sensitive than yeast cell cultures of the latter . It is inferred from these results that the germ tube-forming cell of C . albicans is more sensitive to clotrimazole-induced killing than the yeast cell. Sabouraudia, 1985 Feb, 23(1), 47 - 54 Secreted phospholipases of the dimorphic fungus, Candida albicans; separation of three enzymes and some biological properties; Banno Y et al.; Several phospholipases are secreted into the culture medium by growing yeast cells of Candida albicans 3125 . DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography of concentrated culture filtrate revealed three separable fractions with phospholipase activities . Analysis of products of hydrolysis showed that the enzyme activities were lysophospholipase, lysophospholipase-transacylase and a phospholipase B. Mycopathologia, 1985 Feb, 89(2), 113 - 8 Immune responses elicited by vaccinations with Candida albicans ribosomes in cyclophosphamide treated animals; Segal E et al.; This study describes humoral and cell mediated immune (CMI) responses detected in cyclophosphamide (CY) treated animals who were vaccinated with Candida albicans ribosomes and were protected against systemic candidiasis (previous study) . Mice treated with CY and vaccinated with C . albicans ribosomes revealed CMI responses towards the ribosomes as measured in vivo by the foot pad swelling test and in vitro by the lymphocyte transformation assay . Both reactions were higher in CY treated and ribosome vaccinated mice than in controls (mice that were only vaccinated) . Humoral immune responses were measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Anti ribosomal antibody titer contrary to the CMI responses was lower in CY treated animals than in non treated controls . These data point to a possible explanation of the mechanisms underlying the ribosomal vaccinations in CY treated hosts, and show the potential of such vaccinations in compromised individuals. Photodermatol, 1985 Feb, 2(1), 3 - 9 Propionic acid-derived non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs are phototoxic in vitro; Ljunggren B; Clinical photosensitivity reactions have been reported for several non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) . 11 such commercial preparations were studied spectrophotometrically and assayed for phototoxicity using 2 in vitro methods . Photohemolysis of human red blood cells was measured following exposure to longwave (UVA) and medium-wave (UVB) ultraviolet radiation . Growth inhibition of Candida albicans was assayed after exposure to drug and UVA . A majority of the drugs were phototoxic . Propionic acid-derived NSAIDs were the most active in the photohemolysis assays as well as in the Candida test . With UVA 43.2 J/cm2 ketoprofen was one order of magnitude more potent that the other compounds; with increasing UVB doses and a standard drug concentration of 10 micrograms/ml the same was true for benoxaprofen . Several compounds were protective against UVB hemolysis . Candida growth inhibition was strongest with naproxen . Again, propionic acid derivatives generally were the more effective . No photoactivity was noted for indomethacin, piroxicam and sulindac . Azapropazone caused UVA hemolysis only . Members of the NSAID group, and in particular derivatives of propionic acid, are capable of inducing phototoxic reactions with UVA as well as UVB in vitro . These results confirm clinical reports of photoreactions to members of this group. J Dent Res, 1985 Feb, 64(2), 122 - 5 The prevalence and significance of yeasts in persons wearing complete dentures with soft-lining materials; Wright PS et al.; Fifty-three persons wearing soft-lined mandibular dentures and heat-cured acrylic-resin maxillary dentures were studied, using imprint cultures, to determine the isolation frequency and density of colonization of denture and mucosal surfaces by yeasts . Yeasts were isolated from 35 (66%) of the persons studied . Nine species of Candida and one each of Trichosporon and Saccharomyces were identified . Candida albicans, occurring either alone or together with another strain, was identified in 66% of the isolates and was associated with a higher mean density/cm2 than that of other strains . An association between the method of denture cleaning, denture hygiene, and smoking habits and the isolation of yeasts was demonstrated, but a similar association could not be demonstrated with the sex of the person, denture-wearing habits, type and condition of the soft lining, or the clinical appearance of the mandibular denture-bearing mucosa . Although yeasts are more likely to colonize soft-lining materials than the fitting surface of conventional lower dentures, their presence did not significantly affect the soft-lining material . Further, the increased isolation of yeasts on the fitting surface of the soft-lined mandibular denture was not associated with an increased incidence of inflammatory changes in the mandibular denture-bearing mucosa. Gynecol Oncol, 1985 Feb, 20(2), 170 - 6 Monocyte function in cervical carcinoma: plasma inhibitor of monocyte chemotaxis; Lawton JW et al.; Blood monocyte function was tested in 43 untreated patients with carcinoma of the cervix (stages Ib to IIIb) and 50 age-matched controls . Monocyte counts, adhesion to glass, spreading on glass, phagocytosis and killing of Candida albicans, and chemotaxis under agarose were not significantly different between the patient and control groups . In 65% of a further series of 17 patient/control pairs, the plasma of cervical carcinoma patients was shown to contain a cell-directed inhibitor of monocyte chemotaxis . The accumulated evidence indicates that production of such factors by malignant tumors is an important mechanism in counteracting mononuclear phagocyte defense. J Bacteriol, 1985 Feb, 161(2), 781 - 3 Characterization of a tetraploid derivative of Candida albicans ATCC 10261; Hubbard MJ et al.; A morphometric analysis of Candida albicans yeast cells utilizing scanning electron microscopy showed that the cell volume and the DNA content of a tetraploid strain (derived by cell fusion) were 2.4 to 3.0 and 2.0 times, respectively, those of the progenitor diploid strain, ATCC 10261 . The pathogenicities of both strains were similar. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1985 Feb, 82(4), 1050 - 3 Parathymosin alpha: a peptide from rat tissues with structural homology to prothymosin alpha; Haritos AA et al.; A peptide, parathymosin alpha, containing approximately equal to 105 amino acid residues, has been isolated from rat thymus, and the sequence of the first 30 residues at the NH2 terminus has been determined . In this region, it shows 43% structural identity with thymosin alpha 1 and prothymosin alpha . The common sequences do not include residues 2-9, which accounts for the poor reactivity of parathymosin alpha with an antibody directed against this epitope in thymosin alpha 1 . Parathymosin alpha appears to modulate the action of prothymosin alpha in protecting sensitive strains of mice against opportunistic infection with Candida albicans. J Immunol, 1985 Feb, 134(2), 1166 - 71 Effect of glucocorticoids on the development of suppressive activity in human lymphocyte response to a polysaccharide purified from Candida albicans; Piccolella E et al.; The action of glucocorticoids on the proliferative response of human lymphocytes stimulated in vitro by MPPS has been investigated . The effect of Dex was dependent on the time of steroid addition to the cultures . Dex added at the beginning of the culture period inhibited, cell proliferation and IL 1/IL 2 synthesis, although not completely . However, a delayed addition of 24 to 48 hr resulted in an enhancing effect on cell proliferative responses that was maximal at day 4 . The effect of Dex on T suppressor cell activity was then investigated . Dex added 1 day before the appearance of suppressor cells resulted in a marked decrease or disappearance of the suppressive activity . Moreover, primed T lymphocytes treated with Dex in the presence of exogenous IL 2 enhanced the proliferative responses of fresh autologous PBMC stimulated by MPPS . Taken together, our data suggest that glucocorticoids inhibit the differentiation of T suppressor cells and that IL 2 is unable to reverse this inhibitory effect. Infect Immun, 1985 Feb, 47(2), 363 - 5 Candidacidal activity of myeloperoxidase: therapeutic influence of the enzyme in vivo; Wright CD et al.; Mice were injected intravenously with Candida albicans blastospores to establish chronic renal infection . Seventy-five percent of the animals inoculated with 10(6) blastospores died as a consequence of infection during the subsequent 60 days of observation . Intraperitoneal administration of 10 mU of partially purified human myeloperoxidase 1 day after injection of the pathogen increased survival of the mice from 25 to 80% over this time period . Administration of myeloperoxidase complexed with soluble C . albicans cell wall mannan abrogated the protective influence of the enzyme . These results demonstrate that exogenous myeloperoxidase has a therapeutic influence on murine renal candidiasis and suggest that exogenous myeloperoxidase may also be effective in the treatment of certain forms of candidiasis in humans . These results also demonstrate the important role of the mannan-binding function of myeloperoxidase for effective treatment of candidiasis and suggest a mechanism of inhibition of the candidacidal effect of free enzyme in vivo by mannan accumulating in tissue fluids. Dig Dis Sci, 1985 Feb, 30(2), 178 - 81 Candida albicans infection of gastric ulcer frequency and correlation with medical treatment . Results of a multicenter study; Di Febo G et al.; This paper reports the results of a multicenter prospective study of 188 consecutive patients affected by gastric ulcer, verified by endoscopy, in whom the frequency of a mycotic infection of the lesion was evaluated as well as the eventual influence of such pathology on the efficiency of medical treatment, the healing rate, and the healing time . A mycotic infection, defined as penetration of the periulcerous mucosa by the fungi, was found in only 13 patients (6.9%) . No significant differences were found in the healing rate and healing time among these patients treated with H2-receptor antagonists and a control group of 43 matched gastric ulcer patients treated in the same period with the same therapy . It would appear from the data that mycotic infections of the gastric ulcer do not modify the efficiency of medical treatment. N Z Med J, 1985 Jan 23, 98(771), 1 - 5 Pathogenic mechanisms in recurrent genital candidosis in women; Meech RJ et al.; A detailed analysis of the microbiological flora and investigation of the host immune response to Candida albicans was performed on 22 women presenting with a history of recurrent genital candidosis, as defined by at least four clinical episodes, with at least two episodes microbiologically proven, due to C albicans in the preceding 12 months . Disease due to C albicans could occur at low counts (10(2)-10(3)/ml) or very high counts (greater than 10(8)/ml) . Immunological investigations indicated that both hypersensitive and anergic states occur, the nature of the host response determining the clinical features noted on presentation . Polymicrobial mixed infections were also noted in six women . Recognition of the nature of the host response is important in understanding the pathogensis of recurrent candidosis and devising effective therapeutic regimes. Z Erkr Atmungsorgane, 1985, 165(3), 283 - 5 {Problem discussion of allergic reactions in patients with infection-induced bronchial asthma in Candida colonization outside the respiratory tract}; Manger R; Candida albicans colonization outside from the respiratory tract can occur as a side-effect of long lasting antibiotica therapy in patients with infection-induced asthma bronchiale and may induce in them allergic reactions . Based on own experiences the author reports on the frequency of Candida infections following antibiotica therapy and the effect of a therapy with Fungicidin on the number of dyspnoe attacks. Chemotherapy, 1985, 31(4), 318 - 23 Variation in microbial survival and growth in intravenous fluids; Rawal BD et al.; The survival and growth of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, as well as a yeast, was studied in intravenous fluids over a 3-day period . Solutions were experimentally contaminated with pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacteroides fragilis and Candida albicans . Samples of these solutions were tested on each day up to 3 days for determining viable numbers of the organisms by a membrane filtration method . Each organism showed a different survival/growth pattern in various infusion fluids . In 5% dextrose, C . albicans multiplied but only 2-3% of the initial viable cells of E . coli, P . aeruginosa, and S . aureus were detected after 3 days . In 0.9% sodium chloride, C . albicans and S . aureus showed growth and E . coli remained viable, but P . aeruginosa was not detected after 72 h . In lactated Ringer's solution, P . aeruginosa and C . albicans grew but E . coli and S . aureus were not detected after 72 h . In the amino acid solution, C . albicans, S . aureus and E . coli grew but P . aeruginosa and B . fragilis were not detected . Results indicate that the pattern of microbial survival and growth may be substantially different in various intravenous fluids. Am J Nephrol, 1985, 5(3), 169 - 75 Fungal peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis: incidence, clinical features and prognosis; Johnson RJ et al.; Fungal peritonitis occurred in 17 patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis . The incidence of infection per 100 patient-dialysis months was 0.36 for patients on intermittent peritoneal dialysis and 1.6 for patients on continuous ambulatory dialysis (p less than 0.005) . Initial clinical findings included abdominal pain (76%), fever (59%), cloudy dialysate (76%) and poor dialysate outflow (6%) . 15 patients received antibiotics within 4 weeks of developing peritonitis . All infections were caused by yeasts, with Candida parapsilosis and Candida albicans as the most common species . 14 patients were unable to continue peritoneal dialysis due to persistent or relapsing infection or the development of complications . 2 of the 3 patients who were able to continue peritoneal dialysis were treated with catheter replacement, intraperitoneal miconazole and oral ketoconazole. Chemotherapy, 1985, 31(3), 211 - 5 Susceptibility of Candida spp . of clinical origin to lucknomycin, a new polyenic antibiotic; Sousa AS et al.; Lucknomycin is a new polyenic derivative antifungal agent obtained from a Streptomyces diastatochromogenes culture . The in vitro activity of the compound was tested against 403 strains of different Candida species of clinical origin by the Sabouraud Agar dilution method . The mean geometrical value of the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for Candida albicans was 0.85 microgram/ml, 6 times lower than the corresponding value of nystatin (5.29 micrograms/ml) and very close to that of amphotericin B (0.56 microgram/ml) . Lucknomycin was also 4-10 times more active than nystatin on other Candida species, with an MIC similar to those obtained with amphotericin B. Mycopathologia, 1985 Jan, 89(1), 59 - 63 Experimental candidiasis in iron overload; Abe F et al.; In an attempt to study the influence of iron overload on deep mycotic infection, experimental candidiasis was induced in mice . One group received intravenous injections of colloidal iron (60 mg/kg weight) for three consecutive days before intravenous inoculation of Candida albicans spores (1 X 10(7) . The other received the same number of Candida spores without iron overload . The animals in both groups were observed for 28 days . The Candida lesions, regardless of iron administration, were located mainly in the kidney . There was a marked difference in mortality between the two groups, i.e., 40% in the group without iron administration and 80% in the group with it . The higher mortality rate in the latter group may be explained by following reasons: increased serum iron and iron saturation (iron is essential to the growth of Candida), decreased phagocytic activity against intravenously inoculated Candida because of the saturation of the phagocytic cells by the preceding colloidal iron administration and enhanced proliferation of Candida, which tends to involve the kidney, exposed to abundant iron in the kidney due to increased excretion . The current experiment showed that excessive iron clearly promoted the proliferation of intravenously inoculated Candida in vivo. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1985, 30(1), 34 - 41 Antimicrobial activity of methyl esters and nitriles of 2-cyano-3-(5'-R-2'-furyl)propenic acid; Balaz S et al.; Derivatives of 2-cyano-3-(2'-furyl)propenic acid with a markedly polarized double bond inhibit the growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger at concentrations above 40 mumol/L . Their antibacterial activity (Escherichia coli B, Bacillus subtilis) is low . The biological effect increases with an increasing electron acceptor effect and decreasing hydrophobicity of the substituent on the furan ring . Substitution of methoxycarbony} group with cyano group in position 1 slightly increases the biological activity. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1985 Jan, 15(1), 69 - 75 New azole compounds: vibunazole (Bay n7133) and Bay L9139, compared with ketoconazole in the therapy of systemic candidosis and in pharmacokinetic studies, in mice; Lefler E et al.; Ketoconazole, a new imidazole: Bay L9139, and a new triazole: vibunazole (Bay n7133) were compared in therapy of systemic candidosis . CD-1 male mice were challenged with Candida albicans intravenously (greater than LD80), and treated twice a day, orally, for one month . The isolate of Can . albicans used, and isolates obtained after treatment with the antifungals, were susceptible to all three drugs (MICs less than or equal to 0.5 mg/l) . No drug was lethal to uninfected mice in doses of 200 mg/kg/day for one month . With therapy started on the day after infection, all three drugs at 50 or 100 mg/kg/day prolonged survival, compared with controls (P less than 0.05), with ketoconazole slightly superior to the other two drugs, but none did so at 25 mg/kg/day . At 200 mg/kg/day ketoconazole and vibunazole were protective, but L9139 was not, and this suggested synergistic toxicity of L9139 with Can . albicans infection, at this dose . With treatment begun on day 4, ketoconazole prolonged survival (P less than 0.005) at 200 or 100 mg/kg/day compared with controls, but ketoconazole at 10-50 mg/kg/day, and vibunazole and L9139 at 10-200 mg/kg/day were ineffective . Survivors had renal lesions and culture-proven residual infection . Pharmacokinetic studies indicated lower peak vibunazole and 9139 serum concentrations, and reduced area-under-curve (AUC), after 26 days of treatment, as against single dose administration . The relative inefficacy of vibunazole and L9139 appears to be related to unfavourable pharmacokinetic properties with continued administration. Int J Nucl Med Biol, 1985, 12(3), 243 - 7 {111In}oxine labelling of polymorphonuclear leucocytes: doubts concerning elution and effects on cell behaviour; Sheehan NJ et al.; Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) from normal human subjects were labelled with {111In}oxine (20 muCi 10(8) cells) . In the presence of 20% autologous serum (AS), dissociation of 111In from the cells resulted in mean losses of radioactivity of 13% at 3 h and 30% at 24 h . Adherence of 111In-labelled PMN to cultured porcine endothelial monolayers was increased by 40.7 +/- 31.6% after 60 min incubation in 20% AS at 37 degrees C when compared with unlabelled cells . Phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Candida albicans were unaltered by labelling . Elution of 111In from labelled PMN together with enhanced adhesiveness may have important implications for the study of PMN kinetics and the investigation of inflammatory disease. Dent J Malays, 1985 Jan, 8(1), 39 - 45 Oral candidiasis--its pleomorphic clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment; Ramanathan K et al.; Up to 60% of the population carry Candida albicans as part of the oral flora without having evidence of candidiasis . The pleomorphic clinical manifestations of oral candidiasis viz . thrush, denture stomatitis, angular cheilitis, median rhomboid glossitis, speckled leukoplakia, and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis and its variants are briefly discussed . Current diagnostic techniques of oral candidiasis (OC) are reviewed . A simple and quick method of helping the clinician in the diagnosis of OC by taking a direct smear of the lesion is emphasized . OC is a 'disease of the diseased' . As a routine a full blood picture, serum iron and serum folate levels should be looked at . Several predisposing causes of OC need to be investigated . An up-date on the treatment of OC with nystatin, amphotericin B lozenges, clotrimazole and miconazole is made. Curr Genet, 1985, 9(2), 175 - 7 UV-induced instability in Candida albicans hybrids; Whelan WL et al.; Auxotrophic variants were obtained following UV-irradiation of Candida albicans hybrids which were heterozygous (+/+/-/-/) for various genetic markers (met, ade, his, lys) . Some variants contained less DNA (per cell) than did the hybrids from which they originated; such variants were considered to arise in a process which resulted in generalized reduction in ploidy . These results provide the basis for a cyclic parasexual system (2n X 2n----4n----2n) for genetic analysis in this amictic diploid species. Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1985, 11(11), 745 - 6 Do quinolones really augment the antifungal effect of amphotericin B in vitro? Overbeek BP, Rozenberg-Arska M, Verhoef J. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for amphotericin B and the quinolones norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin against 30 clinical isolates of Candida albicans were determined in various liquid media . Interaction studies were carried out to investigate a possible synergistic action of the quinolones on the antifungal effect of amphotericin B . No interaction between the drugs studied was observed in any of the media used. Magnesium, 1985, 4(5-6), 339 - 44 Normocalcemic tetany and candidiasis; Galland L; We have observed a high frequency of chronic Candida albicans infection and of allergic sensitization to candida among patients with normocalcemic latent tetany (LT) . Among 50 LT patients, 34% suffered from recurrent or chronic candida infection by history, 24% showed evidence of active infection and 48% demonstrated type I hypersensitivity to C . albicans extract on intradermal testing . Treatment with oral antifungal drugs and allergy desensitization to Candida produced complete relief of symptoms in 44% of the patients, with remission occurring for symptoms of depression, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, premenstrual tension, headache, anxiety and back pain . The complex relationship between candidiasis and Mg deficit is discussed . Patients with LT, refractory symptoms and a history of prolonged antibiotic exposure or recurrent candida infection should be considered for oral antifungal therapy and candida desensitization. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1985, 30(6), 493 - 500 Differences in amino acid transport and phospholipid contents during the cell cycle of Candida albicans; Dudani AK et al.; Drugs like L-ethionine, 1,10-phenanthroline and 3-(2-thienyl)-DL-alanine which arrest Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells in the G1 phase, were unable to arrest Candida albicans cells . However, C . albicans could be arrested in G1 after a prolonged stationary phase . As compared to normal cells, there was a selective reduction in the level of accumulation of valine and glutamate in G1-arrested cells, while the phospholipid polar head group ratio was not significantly altered . When G1-arrested C . albicans cells were again allowed to grow, the level of different phospholipids started increasing at about the time of bud emergence (2.5 h) whereas reduced levels of accumulated valine and glutamate recovered within 1 h . The recovery of phospholipids and amino acid transport are two distinct events during the progression of C . albicans cells from G1 to S phase. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1985, 33(2), 339 - 44 Antifungal properties of 1,2-dihydro-3-methylpyrido-(3,2-e)-as-triazine dihydrochloride (I-476); Wieczorek J et al.; Antifungal activity of compound I-476 (1,2-dihydro-3-methylpyrido{3,2-e}as-triazine dihydrochloride) was evaluated in vitro and in vivo . Minimal concentration inhibiting the growth of pathogenetic and saprophytic fungi in vitro ranged from 3.1 to 25 micrograms/ml . The in vivo experiments were performed in a model of experimental candidiasis in Balb/c mice . Antifungal activity of I-476 was measured by the survival time of the animals and the number of living Candida albicans cells in the kidney and spleen of the animals infected and then treated with the compound in question . A single intraperitoneal dose of I-476 markedly prolonged the survival time of mice with experimental candidiasis . The compound administered for 5 subsequent days, diminished the number of Candida albicans cells in the kidney and spleen or caused their complete elimination from these organs. Rev Mal Respir, 1985, 2(3), 161 - 6 {Yield of the thoracoscopic biopsy in experimental pulmonary infections in the immunosuppressed rabbit}; Viallat JR et al.; Using thoracoscopy lung biopsy we investigated the bacteriological diagnostic yield in immunodepressed and/or infected NZ rabbits . 84 rabbits were used: 18 controls, 30 immunodepressed rabbits and 36 rabbits immunodepressed and then infected with Aspergillus fumigatus . Candida albicans or B.C.G . The thoracoscopy technique was the one we designed for humans, the instruments were adapted to the size of animals . Thoracoscopy biopsy results were compared to those of surgical biopsies made in the same animals . The results of both techniques were similar: indeed, the sensitivity of thoracoscopy biopsy was 88.9% in immunodepressed rabbits (versus 100% with surgical biopsies), 86% in the group of rabbits infected with B.C.G . (versus 86%), 90.1% in rabbits infected with Aspergillus fumigatus (versus 100%) and 88.9% in rabbits infected with Candida albicans (versus 100%) . The indications for thoracoscopic lung biopsy in immunodepressed patients with infectious lung diseases are drawn from these experimental data, from our experience and the known mortality and morbidity of surgical lung biopsy. Crit Rev Microbiol, 1985, 12(3), 223 - 70 Antigenic variability of Candida albicans; Poulain D et al.; The concepts of modern biology lead us to think that all structures are liable to continual changes . Ultrastructural and biochemical methods have been able to objectify such a dynamic in Candida albicans, an opportunistic yeast . A broad analysis of antigens is a reliable way to study the antigenic variations which concern this organism . Numerous information on somatic and metabolic antigens of C . albicans is available at the moment . Paradoxically, if one accepts studies dealing with dimorphism, very few works have shown antigenic variability of this species or investigated the mechanisms involved in such a variability . The few approaches done in this way tend to prove that it may be possible to link together the expression of particular antigens and the behavior of the yeast, particularly when it acts as a pathogen. Chemotherapy, 1985, 31(5), 395 - 404 Correlation of susceptibility test results in vitro with response in vivo: ketoconazole therapy in a systemic candidiasis model; Polak A et al.; In a previous study with flucytosine (5-FC) susceptibility of 40 Candida albicans isolates in vitro proved statistically correlated with response in systemic murine candidiasis in vivo, although exceptions occurred with individual isolates . For the present analogous study with ketoconazole, 58 C . albicans isolates were used of which 38 were from the 5-FC study and 20 were added to equalize the numbers of serotype A (n = 30) and B (n = 28) and to make the range of susceptibility in vitro to ketoconazole continuous and wide . The widest range of ketoconazole susceptibility was noted for the minimal inhibitory concentrations on Kimmig and Casitone agars (0.015-256 micrograms/ml) and disk zone diameters on YNB agar (0-54 mm), whereas with disk tests on other media, the range of 50% inhibitory concentrations, relative inhibition factors and MICs on serum agar remained narrow and/or showed strong ties . The Spearman's rank correlation between the in vitro activities determined with the various parameters showed wide variation consistent with p values from less than 0.001 to greater than 0.05 . The serotype B isolates generally were more susceptible than the A isolates (p less than 0.02 for the majority of parameters) . Evaluation of response in vivo was hampered by the low activity of ketoconazole on the murine infection with any of the isolates, the range of the ED50's being only 10- greater than 100 mg/kg . The serotype B infections exhibited significantly better response (p less than 0.05) than the serotype A infections . The overall correlation (Spearman's rank) of the susceptibility test results in vitro with the response in vivo was poor (p less than 0.05 for almost all parameters) suggesting very limited if any precise predictive values of the susceptibility tests in vitro with ketoconazole against C . albicans . However, the narrow range of the ED50 suggests relatively little variation in the response of the different isolates in vivo and similarly small variation was also noted in some of the tests in vitro. Mol Gen Genet, 1985, 200(3), 500 - 2 Isolation of genes from Candida albicans by complementation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Rosenbluh A et al.; A genomic library of the asexual pathogenic yeast Candida albicans was constructed in the S . cerevisiae vector YEp13 . The library contains a representation of the entire genome with a probability of 99% . The expression of the genes of C . albicans in S . cerevisiae was examined and two mutations his3-1 and trp1-289 of S . cerevisiae were complemented by the cloned genes of C . albicans . The hybridization data indicates that the plasmids complementing the mutations of S . cerevisiae contain sequences from C . albicans. Mol Gen Genet, 1985, 200(1), 162 - 8 Heat shock induces chromosome loss in the yeast Candida albicans; Hilton C et al.; The heat shock protocol described in this paper causes mitotic instability in log phase Candida albicans cells . Such instability is induced in diploid, aneuploid and tetraploid strains . The strains analysed are multiple heterozygotes which facilitates the detection of mitotic instability as manifested by the formation of homozygotes . Strains previously shown to be carrying cis linked mutant alleles show coincident segregation of the linked alleles . Conversely, strains which carry unlinked mutant alleles display no such coincident segregation . This segregation of complete linkage groups suggests that heat shock is inducing chromosome loss in C . albicans . The application of this protocol to the genetics of the imperfect fungus C . albicans has produced evidence of at least three chromosomes. Crit Rev Microbiol, 1985, 12(1), 45 - 93 Morphogenesis in Candida albicans; Odds FC; This review will survey environmental controls on the morphology of Candida albicans, describe the cellular and ultrastructural events associated with morphological transitions in this fungus, and attempt to relate biochemical phenomena that have been reported to be associated with dimorphic change to C . albicans cell biology . The synthesis of the cell wall of C . albicans and its control remain largely undiscovered, but it is clear that the cell wall is the principal component involved in shape determination . Possible models for C . albicans dimorphism will be critically reviewed. Thymus, 1985, 7(2), 69 - 84 Modulation of polymorphonucleate-mediated cytotoxicity against Candida albicans by thymosin alpha 1; Bistoni F et al.; In the present work we analyze the effects of thymosin alpha 1 treatment on the number and the candidacidal activity of murine polymorphonuclear leukocytes . The data we obtained showed that the treatment with thymosin alpha 1 (100 micrograms/Kg s.c.) 10, 8, 6, 4 and 2 days before the assay may result in a significant numerical augmentation of circulating polymorphonucleates in the peripheral blood, as well as of their candidacidal activity when measured in vitro in both a 4-h cytotoxicity assay and a CFU inhibition assay against Candida albicans microorganisms . On the other hand, a single dose of thymosin alpha 1 (500 micrograms/Kg s.c.) 3 days before the assay resulted in a significant decrease of the candidacidal activity of mouse polymorphonucleates . The data are discussed with regard to the immunomodulating capacity of thymosin alpha 1 and to our previously reported observations concerning the ability of the drug to modulate the resistance against systemic Candida albicans infection. Microbios, 1985, 42(168), 103 - 9 Incorporation of dexamethasone by Candida albicans; Ghannoum MA et al.; The incorporation of 3H-dexamethasone into Candida albicans has been studied . The results indicate that the steroid is incorporated unchanged and primarily into the cell wall and membrane of the organism . The incorporation appears to be of a noncovalent type. Microbiologica, 1985 Jan, 8(1), 85 - 99 N-acetyl-D-glucosamine-induced morphogenesis in Candida albicans; Cassone A et al.; N-acetylglucosamine is a morphogenic effector in the human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans . Depending on temperature, N-acetylglucosamine induces yeast-mycelial conversion or chlamydospore formation . N-acetylglucosamine is also a carbon source for growth in the yeast form . Germ-tube formation, i.e . the intermediary of yeast-mycelial conversion, is induced at temperatures in excess of 33 degrees C; at lower temperatures the yeast or the pseudomycelial form of the organism predominates . 2-Deoxyglucose, at concentrations which do not affect yeast growth, is a potent inhibitor of N-acetylglucosamine-induced germ-tube formation . N-acetylglucosamine suffices as both the inducer and the carbon sources for morphogenesis and both transcription and translation are required for the yeast to mycelial transition . The metabolism of N-acetylglucosamine is essentially the same for yeast phase cells (28 degrees C) and germ-tube forming cells (37 degrees C): enzymes for N-acetylglucosamine uptake and catabolism are equally well induced by gene expression at 28 degrees C and 37 degrees C . During germ-tube formation, the chitin content and the activity of the regulatory enzyme chitin synthase increase . Germ-tube formation in C . albicans can also be induced gratuitously by a number of N-acetylhexosamine derivatives (N-acetylglucosamine covalently linked to agarose, N-acetylmannosamine, hyaluronic acid, colloidal chitin, and mucin) . These compounds are not taken up by the yeast cells and do not support growth which suggests that germ-tube formation is triggered by a cell-surface receptor mechanism . It is proposed that, after binding to the receptor, N-acetylglucosamine produces an intracellular message which primes the cell for morphogenesis . This message would ultimately be responsible for the choice of the mode of growth, spherical versus apical, that is characteristic of yeast or mycelial form. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1985 Jan, 3(1), 1 - 5 Proteolytic activity of Candida albicans and other yeasts; Schreiber B et al.; Clinical isolates of C . albicans (75 strains) and other yeasts (20 strains) were evaluated for their ability to produce a carboxyl acid proteinase in an effort to assess its potential role as a virulence factor . Yeasts were categorized as to the infectious process present in the patient: (1) isolates from patients with invasive disease, (2) isolates from patients with possible invasive disease, (3) isolates from superficially infected patients and (4) isolates from noninfected, colonized patients . Yeasts were grown for 7 days in medium containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the sole nitrogen source . The amount of extracellular proteinase was measured at pH 3.2, using BSA as substrate . The majority (97%) of C . albicans isolates produced a detectable proteinase . Some non-C . albicans isolates produced proteinase; however, the amount of activity was generally less than for C . albicans . No correlation was found between the amount of proteolytic activity and the degree of invasiveness of the strains. Arch Dermatol, 1985 Jan, 121(1), 119 - 24 Fungus-host relationship in candidiasis . A brief review; Montes LF et al.; Candidiasis and its causative agent, Candida albicans, have been under continuous study in our clinics and laboratories for the past 20 years . Cultured cells of C albicans and tissues from natural and experimental infections were used for observations by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and freeze fracture techniques . In cultures, the cells of C albicans revealed a more complex cell wall, plasma membrane, intracellular organelles, and biochemical organization than those described in classic text-books on mycology . In infected tissues, noteworthy characteristics of C albicans were prominent vacuoles and invasion of host cells with subsequent intracellular localization and lysis of tissues surrounding the fungus . These findings are discussed in relation to their importance in the pathogenesis and management of candidiasis and to the mechanism of action of anticandida agents. Child Abuse Negl, 1985, 9(1), 27 - 9 Vaginitis due to Gardnerella vaginalis and to Candida albicans in sexual abuse; De Jong AR; Sexually transmitted diseases may be transferred to children and adolescents during voluntary or involuntary sexual contact . Two children are reported with the unusual association of sexual abuse and Candida albicans or Gardnerella vaginalis infections . Awareness of the techniques for diagnosis of these infections is essential for appropriate management of the abused child . These organisms should not be considered normal flora when found in symptomatic children and adolescents and should raise the possibility of sexual abuse. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1985, 64(2), 126 - 30 Suppressor T cells role in the unresponsiveness to Candida albicans in chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis; Barnaba V et al.; We investigated the immune function of two members of the same family, mother and son, affected by chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) . In these cases CMC was not associated with hypofunction of endocrine organs, while the son showed histological feature of chronic active hepatitis . We observed a decrease in OKT4/OKT8 ratio and an increased suppressor cell function in both patients . Elimination of cytotoxic/suppressor T cells by lysis of these cells with OKT8 plus complement markedly improved lymphocyte proliferative responses to Candida antigens but not to unrelated antigens . These data suggest that specific suppression is probably responsible for failure of Candida albicans clearance in CMC patients. Acta Microbiol Hung, 1985, 32(4), 305 - 13 Lipid content and ESR determination of plasma membrane order parameter in Candida albicans sterol mutants; Pesti M et al.; Sterol intermediates of ergosterol biosynthesis in seven sterol mutants of Candida albicans were determined by gas-liquid chromatography . Only one of them could synthetize ergosterol, while in the others sterol biosynthesis was blocked beyond zymosterol . Alterations in sterol composition were correlated with a slight increase in saturation and a decrease in the chain length of fatty acids, and increases in phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidic acid, and decreases in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine contents . During exponential growth, as measured on their protoplasts using the intercalated fatty acid spin probe, 5-doxylstearic acid, these single mutants exhibited higher plasma membrane order parameters than their ergosterol-producing parental strain, designated 33 erg+, as follows: erg-12 greater than erg-16 greater than erg-37 much greater than erg-2 greater than erg-20 greater than erg-40 greater than erg-41 greater than 33 erg+ . The mutants displayed significantly higher phase-transition temperatures, measured in a reconstituted lipid-water dispersion, than their parental strain. Microbiol Immunol, 1985, 29(7), 609 - 23 Effect of aculeacin A, a wall-active antibiotic, on synthesis of the yeast cell wall; Yamaguchi H et al.; A wall-active, amphophilic antibiotic aculeacin A significantly but incompletely inhibited in vitro the activity of beta-(1,3)glucan synthase prepared from highly susceptible yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans . In contrast, comparable cell-free preparations from S . cerevisiae active in chitin synthase or mannan synthase were insensitive to the antibiotic, suggesting selectivity of its action in synthesis of the yeast cell wall . An electron microscopic study of the effects of aculeacin A at 0.31 micrograms/ml, the optimally active concentration, on osmotically stabilized C . albicans cells revealed morphological alterations in both cell walls and cell membranes . Deformation in contour and derangement of the layered structure of the cell wall were prominent . In addition, massive fibrous material of beta-glucan-like microfibrils was occasionally extruded from the cell surface . Accompanying this effect on the cytology of the cell wall, ultrastructural and functional impairment of the cell membrane was demonstrated by transmission and freeze-fracture electron microscopic techniques . These data suggest that aculeacin A affects synthesis of the yeast cell wall through not only selective blockage of beta-(1,3)glucan synthase, as a result of a primary interaction with the cell membrane, but also inhibition of the fabrication of beta-glucan or other wall components into well-organized cell walls. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1985, 78(3), 243 - 8 Direct interaction of guinea pig eosinophils and adrenergic agents; Masuyama K et al.; The effects of alpha- and beta-adrenergic stimulation on guinea pig eosinophil functions were studied . Both enhanced glucose uptake of eosinophils at a concentration of 5 X 10(-5) M after a 24-hour incubation . Decreased eosinophil chemotaxis and dose-dependent inhibition of arylsulfatase release from eosinophils induced by opsonized Candida albicans were observed when eosinophils were incubated with beta-adrenergic agents, but not with alpha-adrenergic agents . On the other hand, alpha stimulation inhibited phagocytosis of opsonized C . albicans by eosinophils and NBT reduction at concentrations of 8 X 10(-5) and 5 X 10(-5) M, respectively, but beta stimulation at the same concentrations did not . This suggests that the regulatory effect of adrenergic agents on phagocytosis in eosinophils is different from that in macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1985, 34(1), 55 - 8 Adherence of Candida to mucosal epithelial cells; Macura AB; Adherence abilities of 45 Candida strains to human buccal and vaginal epithelial cells in vitro were tested in two media: 0.9% saline and phosphate buffer . Candida albicans cells adhered more strongly to epithelial cells than fungal cells of other Candida species . These findings were statistically significant according to Mann-Whitney's "U" test with buccal epothelial cells in both of the test media and with vaginal cells in saline only. Acta Derm Venereol, 1985, 65(6), 515 - 20 Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy: immunological and mycological investigations; Torssander J et al.; Immunological and mycological investigations were carried out in 21 Swedish homosexual males . One of them had AIDS, one pre-AIDS and 19 lymphadenopathy of whom 18 fulfilled the criteria of persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) as defined by the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, (CDC) . The patients were investigated immunologically with respect to their in vitro lymphocyte reactivity to various mitogens . The patients with AIDS and pre-AIDS belonged to the group of 8 patients with low response to mitogens . Blood helper T cell percentages and serum beta 2-microglobulin concentrations correlated with the PHA reactivity . Three patients, with the diagnoses AIDS, pre-AIDS and PGL respectively, had clinical signs of oral candidiasis with rich growth of Candida albicans in culture . These were all low responders to mitogen stimulation . Six cases of tinea pedis were diagnosed and seemed to be distributed among the patients irrespectively of the severity of their immunological disorders. Acta Derm Venereol, 1985, 65(5), 424 - 7 Candida albicans infections in leg ulcers and surrounding skin after the use of ointment impregnated stockings; Hansson C et al.; Six elderly women treated with double elastic bandages for chronic venous leg ulcers presented a clinical picture beneath these bandages as seen in intertriginous candidiasis . Painful, bright red, glistening skin lesions with pustules, denuded skin and scales were seen . Cultures on Sabouraud's agar from skin erosions and toe webs confirmed the suspicion of Candida albicans infection . Treatment with topically applied clotrimazole cream resulted in relief of pain and healing of skin lesions . There is a possibility of the Candida albicans having been transmitted from the toe webs by the bandages, and that the bandages creates a microenvironment suitable for growth of the yeast. Acta Derm Venereol, 1985, 65(4), 355 - 8 Candidiasis: the isomorphic response; Witkowski JA et al.; Two uncontrolled insulin dependent diabetic patients had Candida albicans infection with the unique manifestation of erythematous scaling papulopustules at the sites of excoriation . In one patient, the clinical presentation suggested herpes zoster . Recognition of this picture and the contributing factors, i.e . Candida infected finger nails and elevated blood sugar will permit early use of appropriate antifungal therapy. Acta Derm Venereol, 1985, 65(2), 106 - 10 The functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes emigrating into the skin; Csato M et al.; The functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) emigrating into the skin and of others separated simultaneously from the circulation were determined and compared in healthy individuals . The PMNs emigrating into the skin were separated with a skin chamber technique . The C3 rosette forming capacities of the skin migrating and the circulating PMNs were similar . The chemotactic responsiveness was evaluated using three different chemoattractants: zymosan-activated serum, casein and lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor . The skin PMNs gave practically no chemotactic response in the Boyden chamber, irrespective of the chemoattractant used . On the other hand, the skin PMNs exhibited higher plastic surface adherence, nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and Candida albicans killing activities . The data indicate that some functional activities of PMNs undergo alteration during in vivo emigration into the skin . The alterations, overall, may be of importance in the physiological protective function of the skin. Lancet, 1984 Dec 22, 2(8417-18), 1415 - 8 Immunoblot analysis of the serological response in systemic candidosis; Matthews RC et al.; To investigate the heterogeneity in antibody response to the various antigenic determinants of Candida albicans in patients with disseminated candidosis 201 serial serum samples from 45 patients with proven systemic candidosis were examined by immunoblotting (Western blotting) for antibodies to C albicans type A NCTC 3153 . 40 patients had detectable antibody . 26 different antigen bands, ranging from 104 kD to 23 kD, were identified . Despite wide variation in the antigens recognised by different patients, the antibody responses fell into six patterns (A to F) . 13 patients infected during an outbreak of systemic candidosis gave the same response (A) . Of a further 7 patients with this response, 2 had isolates indistinguishable from the outbreak strain . Group B responses were associated with leukaemias and lymphomas . Groups C-F responses were seen in 9 patients . Production of antibody to a 47 kD antigen, common to all six groups, occurred in all those who recovered from the infection and may therefore be of prognostic significance . Whether this antigen could be used as the basis of a vaccine remains to be determined. Cancer Res, 1984 Dec, 44(12 Pt 1), 5594 - 8 Comparison of in vitro and in vivo differentiation of myeloblastic leukemia of the RFM/Un mouse; Weinberg JB et al.; Various human and mouse myeloid leukemia cell lines can differentiate to mature myeloid or monocytoid cells in response to different agents . The myeloblastic leukemia of the RFM/Un mouse (the RF.AML line) was studied here to determine its ability to differentiate after in vitro and in vivo treatment . The RF.AML cells were passed in vivo by i.v . or i.p . injection of freshly harvested leukemic spleen cells or in vitro-passaged leukemia cells . The cells proliferated in the spleen and peritoneal cavity . The RF.AML cells had the appearance of myeloblasts or myelomonoblasts on Wright's stain, had slight positivity for peroxidase, and lacked staining for nonspecific esterase . The cells grew in suspension in vitro with a doubling time of 48 hr . Various phorbol diester tumor promotors inhibited proliferation and incorporation of thymidine into the RF.AML cells . Phorbol myristate acetate (10 to 100 nM) caused the cells to adhere to plastic, and enhanced the phagocytic ability of the cells for Candida albicans . The RF.AML cells had specific receptors for phorbol dibutyrate, binding 0.37 +/- 0.03 (S.E.) pmol of {3H}phorbol dibutyrate/10(6) cells after a 2-hr incubation at 4 degrees with 50 nM {3H}phorbol dibutyrate . Thirty-three to 300 nM dexamethasone caused 19 to 37% of the cells to become nonspecific esterase positive and enhanced their phagocytosis of C . albicans . Likewise, 0.5 or 1.0 microM 13-cis-retinoic acid, or 0.6 or 1.2% dimethyl sulfoxide enhanced the phagocytic ability of the RF.AML cells but had no effect on the adherence, proliferation, or nonspecific esterase activity . None of the treatments induced lysozyme activity in the cells or rendered the RF.AML cells able to produce H2O2 in response to phorbol myristate acetate treatment in vitro . In vivo treatment of mice with RF.AML present with phorbol myristate acetate or dexamethasone did not induce differentiation of the RF.AML cells or alter the survival of the animals . Thus, although the RF.AML cells differentiate in vitro in response to various agents, in vivo differentiation was not seen in this model. Clin Otolaryngol, 1984 Dec, 9(6), 351 - 4 Clinical and bacteriological studies in otitis externa in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Manni JJ et al.; The symptoms and signs as well as the bacterial flora from the auditory canals of 54 Tanzanian patients (74 ears) living in Dar es Salaam and suffering from otitis externa were studied . Itching and pain were the most common symptoms and erythema and secretion were the prevalent clinical findings . Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found in 38%, Aspergillus in 24%, Staphylococcus aureus in 18% and Candida albicans in 14% . Bacterial cultures from the auditory canals of 21 healthy subjects revealed only normal skin flora. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull, 1984 Dec, 10(2), 65 - 70 General yeast infection in Bangladeshi women using contraceptives; Rahman KM et al.; A study on the vaginitis due to candida infection among Bengali women using different contraceptives was carried out . A total of 368 patients using three different contraceptives (Pills, Injectables, IUD) and 316 age and parity matched women as control were studied . The incidence of vaginal yeast infection was highest (17.6%) among pill user . In control group, the incidence is lower (6.7%) . The difference is statistically significant (P less than 0.05) . No significant difference in vaginal yeast infection in women using other two types of contraceptives (Injection, IUD) in contrast to control group was found (P greater than 0.5) . Candida albicans was the most common type of yeast infection (91.8%) . No Torulopsis glabrata was isolated in this study . we did not find any relationship between duration of contraceptive usages and higher incidence of vaginal candidiasis (P greater than 0.5) . This study also indicated that culture examination is much more sensitive than microscopic examination of vaginal swab in detecting yeast infection. Int J Pediatr Nephrol, 1984 Dec, 5(4), 223 - 6 Renal candidiasis in infancy--a case with fungus ball obstruction; Prat O et al.; A sixteen day old infant developed candiduria after surgery on a single functioning, hydronephrotic kidney with ureteropelvic junction stenosis . Masses of candida albicans caused obstruction of the ureter with acute anuria . Endoscopic relief of the obstruction together with aggressive antifungal therapy led to irradication of the fungal infection . This case history emphasizes the fact that candida infection in early childhood should be evaluated carefully . Unfortunately no guidelines are yet available for the indications and the preferred mode of treatment, and length of therapy of infantile renal candidiasis. J Gen Microbiol, 1984 Dec, 130 ( Pt 12), 3303 - 11 The action of 2-deoxy-D-glucose on the incorporation of glucose into (1----3)-beta-glucan in stationary phase cultures of Candida albicans; Gale EF et al.; 2-Deoxy-D-glucose added to cultures of Candida albicans in the stationary phase of growth inhibited the incorporation of glucose into the (1----3)-beta-glucan fraction of the organisms . In the presence of ATP and cell extracts it was converted to 2-deoxy-D-glucose phosphate and when UTP was also present, material with the electrophoretic properties of UDP-2-deoxy-D-glucose was formed . In similar conditions glucose formed glucose phosphates, UDP-glucose and other products . Evidence was obtained that the analogue, after conversion to a phosphate derivative, was an inhibitor of phosphoglucomutase . When C . albicans was grown in the presence of 2-deoxy-D-glucose for 24 h, analogue residues became incorporated into the (1----3)-beta-glucan fraction and the subsequent rate of incorporation of glucose into that fraction was enhanced . The rate of turnover of glucose in this beta-glucan fraction was greater than in controls . Pretreatment of cultures with beta-glucanase, or incubation under conditions known to stimulate endogenous beta-glucanases, increased the subsequent rate of glucose incorporation and this increase was enhanced by growth in the presence of 2-deoxy-D-glucose . The analogue thus had the effect of altering the stability and glucose-acceptor function of (1----3)-beta-glucan chains . This could affect the properties of the polymer network leading to the known effect of the analogue in delaying the onset of phenotypic resistance to amphotericin methyl ester in stationary phase cultures of C . albicans. Chemioterapia, 1984 Dec, 3(6), 354 - 7 In vitro effect of some antibiotics on phagocytic index of human neutrophils; el-Hawary A et al.; The effect of the following antibiotics, in serum concentration equivalent to that of the usual therapeutic level, on the in vitro phagocytosis of killed Candida albicans by normal human neutrophils was studied: gentamicin, tobramycin, netilmicin, amikacin, aztreonam, cephradine, cefamandole, ticarcillin, spectinomycin, amoxycillin, clavulanic acid and Augmentin . Each antibiotic was tested 10 times . Results showed slight inhibition of phagocytosis by all antibiotics except amoxycillin. Biochem Int, 1984 Dec, 9(6), 735 - 44 Induction of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine catabolic enzymes and germinative response in Candida albicans; Natarajan K et al.; The regulation of N-acetylglucosamine catabolic enzymes was studied in both yeast and germ tube forms of the dimorphic fungus Candida albicans . The induction pattern of these enzymes was the same for yeast cells incubated at 28 degrees C and in cells incubated at 37 degrees C which formed germ tubes . However, the level of activity of these enzymes in germ tube stage is lower as compared to yeast phase cells . A strain of C . albicans that did not form germ tubes was endowed with a pronounced ability for induction of N-acetylglucosamine catabolic enzymes . This result suggests that germ tube formation and N-acetylglucosamine metabolism are mutually exclusive events. J Reprod Med, 1984 Dec, 29(12), 863 - 8 Influence of estrogen and normal flora on vaginal candidiasis in the rat; Larsen B et al.; The vaginal epithelium of randomly bred albino rats normally does not contain yeast . This study demonstrated that estrogen-primed, castrated rats could be colonized by Candida albicans following intravaginal challenge, whereas rats not treated with estrogen remained resistant to colonization . The bacteriologic conditions of the vagina were also studied in yeast-colonized and non-yeast-colonized rats . No evidence of bacterial interference with yeast colonization was obtained from this study since the vaginal flora of the estrogen-treated, yeast-colonized rats was more abundant and diverse than that of the non-estrogen-treated rats, which were resistant to yeast colonization . Scanning electron microscopy of the vaginal epithelium of yeast-colonized rats showed that C . albicans entered the mycelial phase during colonization of the vagina . It also appeared that the mycelia penetrate the cornified vaginal epithelial cells. J Gen Microbiol, 1984 Dec, 130 ( Pt 12), 3295 - 301 Analysis of wall glucans from yeast, hyphal and germ-tube forming cells of Candida albicans; Gopal PK et al.; Acid-soluble and alkali-insoluble glucan fractions were prepared from yeast, hyphal and germ-tube forming cells of Candida albicans . Alkali-insoluble glucan was also extracted from purified yeast cell walls . Paper chromatography of partial acid hydrolysates confirmed that the glucan preparations contained beta(1----3)- and beta(1----6)-chains but no mixed intra-chain beta(1----3)/(1----6) linkages . Methylation and 13C-NMR analyses showed that the acid-soluble glucan consisted of a highly branched polymer composed mainly (67.0% to 76.6%) of beta(1----6)-linked glucose residues . The alkali-insoluble glucan from yeast and hyphal cells contained from 29.6% to 38.9% beta(1----3) and 43.3% to 53.2% beta(1----6) linkages . Alkali-insoluble glucan from germ-tube forming cells consisted of 67.0% beta(1----3) and 14% beta(1----6) linkages . Branch points accounted for 6.7%, 12.3% and 17.4% of the residues in the alkali-insoluble glucan of yeast, germ-tube forming and hyphal cells, respectively. J Gen Microbiol, 1984 Dec, 130 ( Pt 12), 3285 - 93 Protein synthesis and amino acid pool during yeast-mycelial transition induced by N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in Candida albicans; Torosantucci A et al.; Protein synthesis at different stages of yeast-mycelial transition induced by N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in Candida albicans</