Microbiological evaluation for antifungal activity of some metal oxides nanofillers incorporated into cold cured soft lining materials: clinical based study / Avaliação microbiológica da atividade antifúngica de algumas nanopartículas de óxidos metálicos incorporadas em materiais de revestimento macio curados a frio: estudo clínico

Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a eficácia da adição de nanopartículas de óxido de zircônio (ZrO2), óxido de titânio (TiO2) e óxido de sílica (SiO2) a um material de revestimento macio curado a frio na adesão de Candida albicans (CA). Material e Método: Cinquenta e quatro pacientes foram selecionados e divididos em três grupos de acordo com a modificação do revestimento com nanopartículas de ZrO2, TiO2 e SiO2 (18 cada). Cada paciente recebeu prótese total maxilar com três cavidades, as cavidades foram revestidas com forro macio curado a frio modificado com diferentes concentrações (0%, 3% e 7%) de nanopartículas de óxido metálico. Nos dias 14 e 28, as trocas foram retiradas do local de realinhamento e imediatamente cultivadas para avaliação fúngica. O número de colônias foi contado, os dados coletados e explorados para normalidade usando o teste de Shapiro-Wilk e a transformação logarítmica da contagem de CA foi realizada. ANOVA para medidas repetidas e de uma via (one-way) foram usados, seguidos por teste de Tukey (HSD). O teste t independente foi usado para comparar as contagens de CA em diferentes períodos. Resultados: A adesão do CA foi significativamente diminuída pela adição de nanopartículas de ZrO2, TiO2 e SiO2 em comparação com o grupo controle, também a cobertura antifúngica aumentou com o aumento da concentração de nanopartículas (p <0,005). A maior contagem de CA foi identificada no grupo SiO2 seguido por ZrO2, enquanto TiO2apresentou a menor contagem de CA (p <0,001). Conclusão: Adição de diferentes nanopartículas; ZrO2, TiO2 e SiO2para revestimento macio curado a frio é um método eficaz para reduzir a adesão de CA (AU)

Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of addition of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), titanium oxide (TiO2), and silica oxide (SiO2) nanoparticles to cold-cured soft liner on adhesion of Candida albicans (CA). Material and Methods: Fifty-four patients had been selected and divided into three groups according to the modification of soft liner with ZrO2, TiO2, and SiO2 nanoparticles (18 each of). Each patient received maxillary complete denture having three cavities, the cavities were lined using cold cured soft liner modified with different concentration (0%, 3%, and 7%) of metal oxide nanoparticles. On days 14 and 28, swaps were taken out from relining site and immediately cultured for fungal evaluation. The number of colonies were counted, data collected and explored for normality using Shapiro-Wilk test, logarithmic transformation of CA count was performed. Repeated and one-way ANOVA were used followed by Tukey HSD. Independent-t test used to compare between CA counts at different periods. Results: The CA adhesion was significantly decreased by the addition of ZrO2, TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles in comparison with control group, also the antifungal coverage increased with nanoparticles concentration increased (P<0.005). The highest CA count was identified in group SiO2 followed by ZrO2, while TiO2 showed the lowest CA count (P <0.001). Conclusion: Addition of different nanoparticles; ZrO2, TiO2 and SiO2 to cold-cured soft liner is an effective method for reducing CA adhesion. (AU)

Application and mechanism of nanomedicine in antifungal infection therapy / 药学学报

The threat of fungal diseases is increasingly rigorous. The clinically invasive fungal infections remain a main cause of morbidity and mortality in certain high-risk groups, especially in critical patients or immunocompromised patients. In drug therapy, the problems of off-target toxicity and antifungal drug resistance are still challenging. With the wide application of biomaterials and nanotechnology, more nanomedicine studies have been carried out on antifungal drugs, such as the amphotericin B liposome which greatly reduced the renal toxicity of drugs has been successfully marketed. For the unique physical and chemical properties, the nano-drug delivery system possessed great potential in improving the bioavailability, reducing the side effects of drugs, increasing the stability of drugs, and achieving cells or tissue-specificity through the modification. This review summarized the applications and limitations of antifungal drugs. Some nanomedicines were summarized in discussion oriented around the antifungal therapy, including liposomes, niosomes, lipid nanoparticles, polymer nanoparticles, microemulsion, dendrimers, inorganic nanocarriers. Nanotechnology and nano-drug delivery system provide promising strategies for the research and development of new formulations that can improve antifungal activity and possibly overcome antifungal drug resistance.

Antifungal activity of crude glycolated extracts of Solanum tuberosum L. (white potato) peelings against Candida and Aspergillus species

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Background:</strong> A rise in the number of immunocompromised patients has increased the risk of opportunistic fungal infections. Identifying novel sources of antifungal agents from commonly discarded materials (i.e. potato peelings) can provide a cheaper alternative for antifungal drugs.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objectives:</strong> The aim of the study was to determine the antifungal activity of crude glycoalkaloid extract from Solanum tuberosum L. (white potato) peelings against opportunistic fungi Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus flavus.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods:</strong> The glycoalkaloid content from dried potato peelings were extracted using ethanol and confirmed using colorimetric tests.The extract had a concentration 833.33 microgram/mL. Determination of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extract via two-fold broth dilution was performed for the five fungi with amphotericin B and fluconazole as the reference antifungal drugs.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results:</strong> MICs of the crude extract for C. albicans, C. glabrata, A. fumigatus, and A. niger were not found within the concentration range of the studies and would thus need further experiments using a broader range of glycoalkaloid concentrations. The extract was found to have a MIC of 104.17microgram/mL for A. flavus, thereby verifying the antifungal effect of glycoalkaloid against A. flavus at said concentration.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Glycoalkaloids from Solanum tuberosum are a potential source of antifungals against certain opportunistic fungi.</p>

Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of 52 pathogenic fungi causing candidemia in Nanchang City of Jiangxi Province / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To explore the constitute and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogenic fungi causing candidemia in Nanchang City of Jiangxi Province.Methods Candida spp.isolated from blood specimens of patients at a hospital in Nanchang in March-October 2015 were collected, fungal strains were identified by amplifying the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large ribosomal subunit (D1/D2 region of 26rRNA), antifungal susceptibility of fungi was detected.Results A total of 1 332 positive blood culture specimens were collected, including 74 fungal positive specimens, accounting for 5.56％, 52 strains of Candida spp.were obtained, most were Candida tropicalis (n=17,32.69％),followed by Candida albicans(n=16, 30.77％) and Candida parapsilosis complex (n=16, 30.77％).Identification results of ITS and D1/D2 region were identical.52 strains of Candida spp.were sensitive to both micafungin and caspofungin, epidemiological cutoff value(ECV) of amphotericin B showed that 52 strains were all wild type.Resistance rates of Candida tropicalis to fluconazole and voriconazole were 29.41％ and 17.64％ respectively, ECV of itraconazole and posaconazole showed that wild type accounted for 82.35％ and 94.12％ respectively;resistance rates of Candida albicans to fluconazol and voriconazole were 93.75％ and 81.25％ respectively, ECV of itraconazole and posaconazole showed that wild type accounted for 75.00％ and 81.25％ respectively;Candida parapsilosis complex strains were sensitive to both fluconazole and voriconazole, ECV of itraconazole and posaconazole showed that all were wild type;all Candida glabrata strains had intermediate resistance rates to fluconazole, ECV of voriconazole, itraconazole, and posaconazole showed that wild type accounted for 66.67％, 100.00％, and 100.00％ respectively.Conclusion Candida tropicalis is the most common pathogenic fungus causing candidemia in Nanchang of Jiangxi, followed by Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis complex.Azole, echinocandin, and amphotericin B are still first-line antifungal agents.

Economic Evaluation of Caspofungin vs. Voriconazole in Initial Empirical Antifungal Therapy of Febrile Neutropenia / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the economics of caspofungin vs. voriconazole in initial empirical antifungal therapy of fe-brile neutropenia(FN). METHODS:Based on two international multiple center clinical trials about caspofungin vs. voriconazole in initial empirical antifungal therapy of FN,combined with domestic clinical experts'opinions about drug selection,a decision tree model was developed. TreeAge Pro 2011 software was used to analyze the cost and effectiveness of 10-day therapy of caspofungin or voriconazole as initial empirical antifungal therapy. RESULTS:The direct medical cost of caspofungin group was lower than that of voriconazole group(52826.71 yuan vs. 58246.70 yuan). The success rate and survival rate were higher than voriconazole group(33.95% vs. 25.63%、92.36% vs. 91.87%). Whether the success rate or the survival rate of patients as the effect indicators, cost-effectiveness ratio of caspofungin group was lower than that of voriconazole group. Moreover,incremental cost effectiveness ra-tio and sensitivity analysis confirmed this conclusion. CONCLUSIONS:Caspofungin has more advantages than voriconazole in cost and effectiveness as initial empirical antifungal therapy in patients with FN.

Voriconazole plus caspofungin for treatment of invasive fungal infection in children with acute leukemia

BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a life-threatening problem in immunocompromised patients. Despite timely diagnosis and appropriate antifungal therapy, clinical outcomes of IFIs remain unsatisfactory, necessitating treatment with a combination of antifungal agents. Therefore, childhood leukemic patients treated with voriconazole plus caspofungin were evaluated for the safety and efficacy of the combination antifungal therapy to treat IFIs. METHODS: In this retrospective study, medical records were retrieved for patients admitted to the Pediatric Department of Yeungnam University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea, between April 2009 and May 2013. Medical records of 22 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 22 patients studied, nine (41%) had been diagnosed with probable IFI, and 13 (59%) with possible IFI. All patients, except one, were already receiving antifungal monotherapy for the treatment of neutropenic fever. After a diagnosis of IFI was confirmed, antifungal monotherapy was replaced with combination therapy. The study's overall response rate was 90.9%, with complete responses in 86.3% of the patients. Two patients experienced a side effect of a small increase in liver enzyme levels. CONCLUSION: Voriconazole plus caspofungin combination therapy is an effective and safe treatment for serious IFI in pediatric patients with acute leukemia.

Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Combination Therapy with Short-Pulsed 1,064-nm Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet Laser and Amorolfine Nail Lacquer for Onychomycosis

BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis is one of the most prevalent fungal diseases in the general population. However, treatment is of limited effectiveness and must be administered for long periods of time. Systemic antifungal agents are associated with adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of a 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser with amorolfine nail lacquer to treat onychomycosis. METHODS: The 128 patients were randomly divided to 2 groups: 64 in the experimental group were treated with 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser therapy and amorolfine nail lacquer; the other 64 were in a control group treated with topical amorolfine lacquer monotherapy. The laser treatment was 4 sessions at 4-week intervals and amorolfine lacquer was applied once a week for 16 weeks. Efficacy was assessed as response rate from standardized photographs with ImagePro®Plus (Media Cybernetics, Inc., USA) analysis, microscopic examination, and subjective evaluation. RESULTS: At 16 weeks, the experimental group showed a significantly higher cumulative cure rate than the control group (71.88% vs. 20.31%, p<0.0001). Clinical therapeutic effects were linked to patient satisfaction. The percent of “very satisfied” or “satisfied” responses was higher in the test group than the control group (81.25% vs. 23.44%). The treatment regimen was well tolerated, with transient discomfort observed in the test group. CONCLUSION: The 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser with amorolfine nail lacquer was effective and safe for treating onychomycosis. This therapy should be considered an alternative treatment, especially for patients with contraindications to systemic antifungal agents.

Synthesis of isavuconazonium sulfate: Research advances / 国际药学研究杂志

Isavuconazole is a broad-spectrum triazole antifungal agent, which is administered as a water-soluble prodrug-isavuconazonium sulfate. Recently, its oral and intravenous formulations are available. Isavuconazole inhibits fungal cytochrome P45014DM, thus interferes with the biological function of cell wall formation and plays the antifungal role. In this paper, we summarize the synthetic methods of isavuconazole, water-soluble segments of side chain and isavuconazonium sulfate and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages, which lays a foundation for isavuconazonium sulfate technology development.

Synthesis of isavuconazonium sulfate:research advances / 国际药学研究杂志

Isavuconazole is a broad-spectrum triazole antifungal agent,which is administered as a water-soluble prodrug-isa?vuconazonium sulfate. Recently,its oral and intravenous formulations are available. Isavuconazole inhibits fungal cytochrome P45014DM,thus interferes with the biological function of cell wall formation and plays the antifungal role. In this paper ,we summa?rize the synthetic methods of isavuconazole ,water-soluble segments of side chain and isavuconazonium sulfate and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages,which lays a foundation for isavuconazonium sulfate technology development.

Macelignan inhibits bee pathogenic fungi Ascophaera apis growth through HOG1 pathway

Ascosphaera apis is a bee pathogen that causes bee larvae infection disease, to which treatment is not yet well investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate antifungal susceptibility in vitro against A. apis and to identify a new antifungal agent for this pathogen through minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay and western blot analysis. Macelignan had 1.56 and 3.125 μg/mL MIC against A. apis after 24 and 48 h, respectively, exhibiting the strongest growth inhibition against A. apis among the tested compounds (corosolic acid, dehydrocostus lactone, loganic acid, tracheloside, fangchinoline and emodin-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside). Furthermore, macelignan showed a narrow-ranged spectrum against various fungal strains without any mammalian cell cytotoxicity. In spite of miconazole having powerful broad-ranged anti-fungal activity including A. apis, it demonstrated strong cytotoxicity. Therefore, even if macelignan alone was effective as an antifungal agent to treat A. apis, combined treatment with miconazole was more useful to overcome toxicity, drug resistance occurrence and cost effectiveness. Finally, HOG1 was revealed as a target molecule of macelignan in the anti-A. apis activity by inhibiting phosphorylation using S. cerevisiae as a model system. Based on our results, macelignan, a food-grade antimicrobial compound, would be an effective antifungal agent against A. apis infection in bees.

Composición química y evaluación de la actividad antifúngica del aceite esencial de corteza de Vismia baccifera var. dealbata / Chemical composition and evaluation of anti-fungal activity of essential oil from Vismia baccifera var. dealbata bark

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la susceptibilidad de levaduras del género Candida y el Complejo Cryptococcus neoformans al aceite esencial de Vismia baccifera var. dealbata. El aceite, procedente de Chiguará, estado Mérida-Venezuela, fue analizado por CG/ EM logrando la identificación de trece componentes, que constituyeron el 97,7% de la mezcla; tres de ellos se apreciaron como productos mayoritarios, representando el 70,4% de la totalidad (Óxido de cariofileno 31,4%, β-cariofileno 26,4% y α-zingibireno 12,6%). El ensayo de actividad antifúngica mostró que dicho aceite inhibió el crecimiento de varias cepas de los géneros Candida y el Complejo C. neoformans, evaluadas cualitativamente por difusión en agar con disco a una concentración de 1.000 μg/mL; se observaron halos de inhibición entre 8 y 12 mm, exhibiendo valores de CMI entre 1,6 y 1.000 μg/mL en el ensayo cuantitativo por el método “Spot on a lawn”. Los datos obtenidos fueron sometidos a análisis de varianza y la prueba de Tukey, obteniéndose una actividad inhibitoria relevante contra Candida krusei. Este estudio constituye el primer reporte, tanto de la composición química como de evaluación antifúngica del aceite esencial extraído a partir de especies del género Vismia.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of Candida genus yeasts and the Cryptococcus neoformans Complex to essential oil from Vismia baccifera var. dealbata. This oil, obtained at Chiguará, Mérida State, was analyzed by GC/MS, which identified thirteen components that constituted 97.7% of the mixture; three of them were established as majority products, representing 70.4% of the total: (cariophyllene oxide 31.4%, β-cariophyllene 26.4%, and α-zingibirene 12.6%). The anti-fungal assay showed that this oil inhibited the growth of several Candida genus strains and of the C. neoformans Complex, qualitatively evaluated by agar disk diffusion at a 1,000 μg/ mL concentration; inhibition halos of a between 8 to 12 mm diameter were observed, showing MIC values between 1.6 and 1,000 μg/mL in the “Spot on a lawn” quantitative assay. The data obtained were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey’s test, demonstrating a relevant inhibitory activity against Candida krusei. This study constitutes the first report, both of the chemical composition and of the anti-fungal evaluation, of the essential oil extracted from Vismia genus species.

Comparative Study of In Vitro Inhibitory Effects of UVC, Terbinafine Hydrochloride 1% and Paeonia Natural Extracts on Trichophyton rubrum / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: Trichophyton(T.) rubrum is most common fungal pathogen that causes tinea pedis and onychomycosis. It recurrently infects human and usually persists for very long time, provoking public health concern. Due to the limitation in current treatment options, alternative therapies are desirable. We investigated the inhibitory effect of UVC, terbinafine hydrochloride 1% and paeonia natural extracts on T. rubrum in vitro. OBJECTIVE AND METHOD: Total 25 T. rubrum strains were cultured for 10 days on Mycosel agar plate; 5 strains of T. rubrum and 5 copies for each strain. They were divided into 5 groups: control, UVC irradiation, terbinafine spray, paeonia natural extracts spray, UVC and paeonia natural extracts sprays. The cultured media were irradiated for 1 hour daily for 3 weeks in the germicidal lamp emitting 253.7 nm (UVC), power of 2.875 mW/cm2 at 10 cm distance. Terbinafine and paeonia extracts was sprayed twice on the surface to fully cover the colony area. The median diameter of each colony were measured every other day for 3 weeks. The change of colony diameter and the growth rate were analyzed. RESULTS: The UVC had virtually no effect on restraining the growth of T. rubrum, similar with the growth of the control group. However, both the terbinafine spray and paeonia extracts slowed down the growth rate remarkably and showed a similar effect. CONCLUSION: We could only figure out the fungistatic effect, and not the fungicidal effect of paeonia extract and terbinafine hydrochloride in vitro. UVC irradiation setting in this study was totally ineffective. More studies are needed on more variable wavelength and the fluence of UVC irradiation. In addition, further verification on the mechanism and the effect of anti-fungal activity by paeonia extracts are needed.

Contamination of Slippers in Operating Room by Dermatophytes and Effect of Antifungal Agent (Terbinafine) Disinfection / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: It is known that floor, clothes, shoes and slippers of common uses are the sources of infection by dermatophytes. However there hasn't been any report about the culture of dermatopytes from slippers in operating room. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contamination status of the slippers in operating room by dermatophytes and the effect of antifungal agent disinfection. METHODS: The samples were collected from 240 pairs of slippers that were used in common at operating room of Daegu Catholic University Medical Center with scrapping method. The collected samples were cultured on the media with chloramphenicol (500 mg/L) and cycloheximide (500 mg/L) to control the growth of nondermatophytic fungi. The same collection and culture was done again after the antifungal agent (terbinafine) disinfection. RESULTS: Dermatophytes were isolated from 22 (9.2%) pairs of slippers from a total of 240 pairs before the treatment, and 9 (3.8%) pairs after the treatment. There was significant difference in isolation rate between the slippers before the treatment and after the treatment (p=0.016). Trichophyton (T.) mentagrophytes and T. rubrum were isolated from the slippers and T. mentagrophytes (54.8%) was the most common isolated fungus. CONCLUSION: About ten percent of slippers in operation room were contaminated by dermatophytes. Regular antifungal agent disinfection on slippers in operating room will help to decrease in the prevalence of dermatophytes growth and prevent the nosocomial infection.

Various Nail Disorders Misdiagnosed and Treated as Onychomycosis / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Treatment of onychomycosis should be commenced after mycological confirmation due to the side effects and long duration of oral antifungal agents. However, many doctors treat patients with nail disorders that resemble onychomycosis without any mycological examination (ME) in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the various nail disorders misdiagnosed as onychomycosis and to evaluate the performing ratios of appropriate diagnostic procedures of onychomycosis. METHODS: The study was performed in a total of 48 patients who had a history of being misdiagnosed and treated for onychomycosis. We investigated the characteristics of each patient, the specialty of their previous doctor, and their previous treatment modality and duration. Whether or not they had previously received proper diagnostic procedures was also investigated. All of the data were collected by questionnaires, and their final diagnoses were also recorded. RESULTS: Among the 48 patients, 31 (31/48, 64.7%) were female, and the mean age of the patients was 45.5+/-15.7. Eighteen patients (18/48, 37.5%) were referred from dermatologists and 30 (30/48, 65.2%) from non-dermatologists. The results of the questionnaires revealed that only 10 of the dermatologists (10/18, 55.6%) performed ME before initiating treatment for onychomycosis, and none of the non-dermatologists did it. The duration of incorrect previous systemic anti-fungal treatment was also significantly longer when administered by non-dermatologists as compared with dermatologists (p=0.042), and over half of the patients (30/46, 65.2%) were treated with fluconazole. Onycholysis (22/48, 45.8%) and trachyonychia (18/48, 37.5%) were the most common final diagnoses, but various nail disorders such as pitting nail, median nail dystrophy, and subungual melanoma were also included. CONCLUSION: To avoid misdiagnosis and incorrect anti-fungal treatment, people with nail disorders that resemble onychomycosis should be recommended to visit dermatologists, and the doctors should perform appropriate mycological examinations in these patients.

Antimicóticos de uso sistémico: ¿con qué opciones terapéuticas contamos? / Systemic antifungals: which therapeutic options do we have?

La prevalencia de infecciones fúngicas invasivas ha aumentado en las últimas tres décadas debido al aumento de huéspedes inmunocomprometidos. Durante muchos años la anfotericina B y la flucitosina fueron los únicos antifúngicos disponibles para el tratamiento de estas micosis. Afortunadamente, en la última década el arsenal de antifúngicos se ha ampliado, lo que provee nuevas alternativas terapéuticas para los pacientes afectados. El objetivo de este artículo es resumir las características farmacológicas de los antifúngicos sistémicos tradicionales (anfotericina. flucitosina, itraconazol y fluconazol) y de los agentes antimicóticos de uso reciente: los nuevos triazoles (voriconazol, posaconazol) y las equinocandinas (caspofungina. micafungina y anidulofungina).

The prevalence of invasive fungal infections has increased over the past three decades owing to the increasing numbers of immunocompromised hosts. For many years, amphotericin Band flucytosine were the only available antifungal agents for invasive fungal infections. Fortunately, the antifungal drugs has increased, providing new therapeutic options for these patients. The purpose of this article is to summarize the pharmacologic profile of traditional antifungal drugs (amphotericin, flucytosine, itraconazole, fluconazole) as well as the ones recently licensed: the new triazoles (voriconazole, posaconazole) and the echinocandins (caspofungin, micafungin, anidulafungin).

Isolation, Identification and Optimal Culture Conditions of Streptomyces albidoflavus C247 Producing Antifungal Agents against Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2

Streptomyces albidoflavus C247 was isolated from the soil of the Gyeongsan golf course in Korea. Physiological, biochemical and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis strongly suggested that the isolate belonged to Streptomyces albidoflavus. Preliminary screening revealed that the isolate was active against fungi and bacteria. Self-directing optimization was employed to determine the best combination of parameters such as carbon and nitrogen source, pH and temperature. Nutritional and culture conditions for the production of antibiotics by this organism under shake-flask conditions were also optimized. Maltose (5%) and soytone (5%) were found to be the best carbon and nitrogen sources for the production of antibiotics by S. albidoflavus C247. Additionally, 62.89% mycelial growth inhibition was achieved when the organism was cultured at 30degrees C and pH 6.5. Ethyl acetate (EtOAc) was the best extraction solvent for the isolation of the antibiotics, and 100 microg/ml of EtOAc extract was found to inhibit 60.27% of the mycelial growth of Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2(IV) when the poison plate diffusion method was conducted.

Preferred Oral Antifungal Treatment in Toenail Onychomycosis Patients / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: Treatment of toenail onychomycosis requires long term oral medication of antifungal agent. So many factors such as preferred treatment option can affect the compliance and cure rate. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to identify most preferred treatment options for toenail onychomycosis patients. METHODS: This study was undertaken on 190 patients treated toenail onychomycosis, who visited Hanyang University Guri hospital, Konkuk University hospital and Asan Medical center during the period between March 2008 to April 2008. RESULTS: 1. Mean age of patients was 53.5+/-15.5 years old, 108 patients (56.8%) were female and 82 patients (43.2%) were male. 2. Mean duration of disease was 7 years 11 months (7.9+/-8.8 years). 3. The motives of treatment for toenail onychomycosis were 'ugly appearance' (39.8%) and 'pruritus' (33.9%). 4. Seventy six percent of patients had history of treatment for toenail onychomycosis. Most of them (43%) visited dermatologist's office and 14% of them used folk remedy. 5. Continuous therapy was the most common method (47%) in previous treatment. And it was the most common treatment option irrespective of age, disease duration and gender. 6. The most preferred treatment option was also continuous therapy (57%). And 69% of patients who received continuous therapy preferred it, but it was only 48% in pulse therapy group and 38% in weekly pulse therapy group. 7. Sixty six percent of the toenail onychomycosis patients had associated disease. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous therapy was the most convenient method for toenail onychomycosis patients who visited general hospital.

Surveillance of resistance to fluconazole and voriconazole in Candida isolates from 5 hospitals in China / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To investigate the situation and change of antifungal resistance in clinical Candida and other fungal iso- lates from 5 hospitals in diverse geographic region of China.Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 8 000 fungat iso- lates collected during 2001 and 2005 were carried out with 25?g fluconazole disk and 1?g voriconazole disk using disk diffusion method as recommend by CLSI/NCCLS M44-A.Disk test plates were automatically read and results were recoded with the BIOMIC Image Analysis System.The equivalent MICs were automatically calculated by the BIOMIC System software.Results The proportion of Candida atbicans and non-Candida albicans (e.g.Candida glabrata) in the total fungal isolates did not change significantly from 2001 to 2005.The susceptibility rate of C.albicans to fluconazole and vorieonazole were stable during 2001 and 2005.However, the resistance to fluconazole and voriconazole increased variably in C.glabrata and other non-Can- dida albicans fungal isolates during the same period.Conclusions The voriconazole demonstrated higher activity against all yeast species in comparison with fluconazole.The increasing resistance to fluconazole and voriconazole in non C.albicans fungal isolates including C.glabruta suggests the importance of surveillance of fungal resistance in Candida isolates.

Epidemiological study on pathogens of deep fungal infection / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the dynamic distribution changes of fungi responsible for the deep infection and antifungal susceptibility to provide a basis for the empirical antifungal treatment.Methods Medical records were reviewed from cases suspectedof deep fungal infection at our hospital from January 1998 to December 2004.3122 isolates of 13 species were analyzed with SPSSll.0.Etest was used for the antifungal susceptibility test.Results Candida albicans was the most commonly isolated organism,while the prevalence of Candida albicans decreased(76.3% vs 66.8%,x~2=34.33,P

The Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations of Antifungal Agents for Clinical Isolates in Fungal Keratitis

This study was performed for the standardization and proper selection of effective antifungal agents by measuring the minimal inhibitory concentra-tions[MICs]of antifungals to fungi, separated from keratitis patients.Two strains of A.fumigatus and single strain of F.solani, A.falciforme, and A . alternata were used for this test.Standard powders of miconazole, itraconazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, and amphotericin B were used as antifungal agents. Microscopic and macroscopic measurements of MIC after 24, 48 and 72 hours of inoculation[105 conidia /ml]into YNB broth with culture temperature of 25 degrees C were performed by use of broth microdilution method.The results are as follows : itraconazole, amphotericin B, and clotrimazole were effective against A.fumigatus.F.solani showed resistance to all kinds of antifungal agents.A.falciforme and A.alternata were sensitive to amphotericin B and itraconazole, respectively. Further studies may be needed for the standardized measurement of MIC against filamentous fungi and also for in Vitro-in Vivo correlations for the treatment of fungal keratitis.