ABSTRACT
Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii has an ecological association with five Eucalyptus species: E. blakelyi, E. camaldulensis, E. gomphocephala, E. rudis, and E. tereticornis. After human infections due to C. neoformans var. gattii were diagnosed in the states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka, India, a study was undertaken to investigate the association of C. neoformans var. gattii with Indian eucalypts, especially in the state of Punjab. A total of 696 specimens collected from E. camaldulensis, E. citriodora and E. tereticornis (hybrid) trees were examined for the presence of C. neoformans var. gattii. Flowers from two trees of E. camaldulensis in the Chak Sarkar forest and one from the village of Periana near the Ferozepur area yielded five isolates of C. neoformans var. gattii. The origin of the trees could be traced to Australia, thus providing evidence that the distribution of E. camaldulensis correlated with the distribution of human cryptococcosis cases caused by C. neoformans var. gattii in northern India.
Subject(s)
Cryptococcus neoformans/isolation & purification , Eucalyptus/microbiology , Plants, Medicinal , Animals , Cryptococcosis/epidemiology , Cryptococcus neoformans/classification , Cryptococcus neoformans/pathogenicity , Humans , India/epidemiology , Mice , Serotyping , VirulenceABSTRACT
A prospective study was undertaken in 70 patients presenting with acid peptic disease with the objective of characterising the serological response to Helicobacter pylori and finding antigens specific for the serodiagnosis of H. pylori infection. H. pylori status was assessed by smear microscopy, rapid urease activity, culture and histopathology of endoscopic gastric antral biopsy specimens. Serological characterisation was carried out by using western blotting of various antigenic components of H. pylori and subsequent enzymatic detection of antibodies against them. Four reactive bands in the molecular weight range of 45-65 kDa were present in all subjects irrespective of H. pylori status. Four to six immunoreactive bands in the molecular weight range of 21-45 kDa were found only in patients with positive H. pylori status and histopathologically proven gastritis. These immunoreactive components may be valuable in specific immunodiagnosis of H. pylori infection.
Subject(s)
Antigens, Bacterial/blood , Helicobacter Infections/immunology , Helicobacter pylori/isolation & purification , Peptic Ulcer/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Biopsy , Blotting, Western , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Female , Helicobacter Infections/microbiology , Helicobacter Infections/pathology , Helicobacter pylori/immunology , Humans , Immune Sera , Male , Middle Aged , Peptic Ulcer/microbiology , Peptic Ulcer/pathology , Prospective Studies , Serologic TestsABSTRACT
We report three cases of primary cutaneous zygomycosis due to either Saksenaea vasiformis (two patients) or Apophysomyces elegans (one patient). Extensive surgical debridement helped two patients recover from their infections. The underlying disease in the one patient who died was diabetes mellitus. We reviewed the literature on primary cutaneous zygomycosis and found that S. vasiformis and A. elegans were the etiologic agents in 16 and 13 earlier cases, respectively.
