Antifungal-Loaded Calcium Sulfate Beads as a Potential Therapeutic in Combating Candida auris.

Candida auris provides a substantial global nosocomial threat clinically. With the recent emergence that the organism can readily colonize skin niches, it will likely continue to pose a risk in health care units, particularly to patients undergoing surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of antifungal-loaded calcium sulfate (CS) beads in combatting C. auris infection. We demonstrate that the CS-packed beads have the potential to interfere with planktonic and sessile C. auris.

Assessing the Bioactive Profile of Antifungal-Loaded Calcium Sulfate against Fungal Biofilms.

Calcium sulfate (CS) has been used clinically as a bone- or void-filling biomaterial, and its resorptive properties have provided the prospect for its use as a release mechanism for local antibiotics to control biofilms. Here, we aimed to test CS beads loaded with three antifungal drugs against planktonic and sessile fungal species to assess whether these antifungal beads could be harnessed to provide consistent release of antifungals at biofilm-inhibitory doses. A panel of different fungal species (n = 15) were selected for planktonic broth microdilution testing with fluconazole (FLZ), amphotericin B (AMB), and caspofungin (CSP). After establishing planktonic inhibition, antifungal CS beads were introduced to fungal biofilms (n = 5) to assess biofilm formation and cell viability through a combination of standard quantitative and qualitative biofilm assays. Inoculation of a hydrogel substrate, packed with antifungal CS beads, was also used to assess diffusion through a semidry material, to mimic active infection in vivo In general, antifungals released from loaded CS beads were all effective at inhibiting the pathogenic fungi over 7 days within standard MIC ranges for these fungi. We observed a significant reduction of pregrown fungal biofilms across key fungal pathogens following treatment, with visually observable changes in cell morphology and biofilm coverage provided by scanning electron microscopy. Assessment of biofilm inhibition also revealed reductions in total and viable cells across all organisms tested. These data show that antifungal-loaded CS beads produce a sustained antimicrobial effect that inhibits and kills clinically relevant fungal species in vitro as planktonic and biofilm cells.

Knee Arthroscopy: The "Crevice Sign," a New Pathognomonic Sign for Unstable Posterior Medial Meniscal Tear in Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Deficient Knees.

There has been increased emphasis on medial meniscus repair in the anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed knee, as this improves stability. We describe an arthroscopic sign of an unstable medial meniscal tear that is diagnostic. The "crevice sign" is a longitudinal fissure located on the distal medial femoral condyle. In the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee, there is increased strain on the medial meniscus. A posterior longitudinal medial meniscal tear can occur at the time of the index injury or with subsequent instability events. During this injury, the knee pivots and the anterior edge of the unstable medial meniscus digs into the articular cartilage of the medial femoral condyle, resulting in a longitudinal split of the distal femoral condyle articular cartilage. If this sign is observed during arthroscopy, it is recommended that surgeons thoroughly probe the medial meniscus to ensure no pathology is missed.

Implications of Antimicrobial Combinations in Complex Wound Biofilms Containing Fungi.

Diabetic foot ulcer treatment currently focuses on targeting bacterial biofilms, while dismissing fungi. To investigate this, we used an in vitro biofilm model containing bacteria and fungi, reflective of the wound environment, to test the impact of antimicrobials. Here we showed that while monotreatment approaches influenced biofilm composition, this had no discernible effect on overall quantity. Only by combining bacterium- and fungus-specific antibiotics were we able to decrease the biofilm bioburden, irrespective of composition.

Development and characterisation of a novel three-dimensional inter-kingdom wound biofilm model.

Chronic diabetic foot ulcers are frequently colonised and infected by polymicrobial biofilms that ultimately prevent healing. This study aimed to create a novel in vitro inter-kingdom wound biofilm model on complex hydrogel-based cellulose substrata to test commonly used topical wound treatments. Inter-kingdom triadic biofilms composed of Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus were shown to be quantitatively greater in this model compared to a simple substratum when assessed by conventional culture, metabolic dye and live dead qPCR. These biofilms were both structurally complex and compositionally dynamic in response to topical therapy, so when treated with either chlorhexidine or povidone iodine, principal component analysis revealed that the 3-D cellulose model was minimally impacted compared to the simple substratum model. This study highlights the importance of biofilm substratum and inclusion of relevant polymicrobial and inter-kingdom components, as these impact penetration and efficacy of topical antiseptics.

Injury prevention strategies in skiers and snowboarders.

With associated snow sports injury risks being well documented, the scope for preventative medicine is clear. This article focuses on potential precautions taken by skiers/snowboarders and how they vary between different snow sport groups. A total of 181 randomly selected individuals from the Whistler/Blackcomb Medical Centre, Canada, took part in this questionnaire-based cohort study, examining snow sports activity, preventive measures, and protective equipment use. Most individuals were ski area residents of advanced expertise, with 50% having had a previous snow-riding injury. The most commonly reported significant ski injury was anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, while in snowboarders, it was wrist fracture. Skiers were more likely to improve fitness levels before going onto the slopes, whereas crossover riders (both skiing and snowboarding) were more likely to take lessons. Most individuals used eye and sun protection and had adequately warm clothing. Beyond basic precautions, protective equipment and preventive measures are used infrequently. It is suggested that by increasing awareness and use of such equipment, injury rates may be reduced.