Disseminated candidiasis: a comparison of two immunologic techniques in the diagnosis.

Eighty-five subjects were tested for the presence of circulating candidal antigen (CAg) and anti-candidal antibody (CAb) using both an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE). The 72 studied controls included laboratory volunteers; hospitalized patients without evidence of infection; febrile hospitalized patients without evidence of candidiasis; and patients with superficial candidiasis and candiduria. The control subjects were compared with 13 patients with proven disseminated candidal infection (disease prevalence = 15%). The ELISA CAb test was of greater individual sensitivity (92%) in separating patients with systemic candidiasis from all controls combined than the ELISA CAg, CIE CAg, or CIE CAb test (61%, 15%, 69%, respectively). The CIE CAg test, though specific (100%), was insensitive. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were generally enhanced by employing combinations of tests. Sera from patients with disseminated candidiasis were much more likely to yield a positive result by two or more serologic tests than were control sera (p = less than 0.0004). The sensitivity of combinations ranged from 15% to 92%. The specificity of combinations ranged from 21% to 100%. The predictive value positive of combinations test ranged from 40% to 100%. Predictive value negative of combinations ranged from 69% to 98%. Patients with a variety of superficial and deep candidal infections apparently have detectable circulating CAb and/or CAg. The ELISA CAb test was superior to the other tests in identifying patients with disseminated candidiasis. Combinations of serologic tests may be superior to individual tests in the diagnosis or exclusion of serious disease due to Candida albicans.

Osteomyelitis of the hand due to Torulopsis holmii.

Yeasts belonging to the genus Torulopsis, though generally considered saprophytes, are capable of causing serious illness in compromised patients. Torulopsis infections in patients with no apparent underlying disease are rare. We have described a previously healthy man who had osteomyelitis due to Torulopsis holmii as a complication of a penetrating hand injury. Despite in vitro susceptibility of the organism to amphotericin B and flucytosine and prolonged therapy with these agents, the infection relapsed after an apparent initial response.

Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis: a community-acquired methicillin-resistant isolate.

We have described a patient with community-acquired, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis that occurred on a prolapsing mitral valve. The patient was successfully treated with vancomycin and rifampin for six weeks and had no signs of relapse four months later.

Urinary tract infections due to Candida albicans.

Infection of the urinary tract due to Candida albicans is an uncommon but well-described complication of modern therapeutics. Despite the rarity of this infection, culture of properly collected urine yielding C. albicans requires an explanation. The significance of systemic factors in the defense of the urinary tract against candidal infection is unknown, but secretions from the prostate gland in men and from periurethral glands in women have been reported to be fungistatic. In addition, growth of Candida at sites on mucous membranes may be suppressed by other normal flora. Conditions that predispose to candiduria include diabetes mellitus, antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy, as well as factors such as local physiology and disturbance of urine flow. Lower urinary tract candidiasis is usually the result of a retrograde infection, while renal parenchymal infection most often follows candidemia. In addition to asymptomatic candiduria, recognized clinical forms of candidal urinary tract infections include bladder infection, renal parenchymal infection, and infections associated with fungus ball formation. Unfortunately, clinical criteria alone are insufficient to distinguish reliably among these clinical types. If the urine is found to contain candidal organisms, the condition of the patient should be considered for determination of appropriate therapy. When infection is thought to be confined to the bladder, patients without indwelling bladder catheters should be considered for flucytosine therapy. For patients requiring indwelling bladder catheterization, irrigation with amphotericin B is usually successful. Although flucytosine alone may be useful for renal parenchymal candidal infection, iv amphotericin B alone or the combination of amphotericin B and flucytosine is indicated when systemic candidiasis cannot be excluded.

Tuberculous peritonitis.

Tuberculous peritonitis is an uncommon disorder and is often not considered on initial evaluation of ascites. A negative 5-TU PPD test, a normal chest roentgenogram, or a low level of ascitic fluid protein may erroneously direct attention away from tuberculosis. Failure to thoroughly evaluate nonmalignant exudative ascites, especially in alcoholics, is a common diagnostic pitfall. TB peritonitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in every patient who presents with ascites, fever, and abdominal pain, particularly when alcoholism, a lung lesion, weight loss, or cirrhosis is also present. Percutaneous needle biopsy of peritoneum, followed by peritoneoscopy if necessary, may preclude the need for laparotomy. Antituberculous drugs, when conscientiously taken, afford a rapid response with a cure in most patients. Case material on four patients is presented.

Therapeutic failures with miconazole.

A retrospective review of therapeutic failures of miconazole in three patients is presented. Miconazole, a new imidazole derivative, is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent purportedly effective topically, orally, and parenterally against a number of species of fungi. Three patients with the following culturally proven deep fungal infections were treated with miconazole: (i) destructive arthritis (Sporothrix schenckii), (ii) meningoencephalitis (Cryptococcus neoformans), and (iii) disseminated aspergillosis (Aspergillus fumigatus). All the organisms were susceptible in vitro to 1.56 mug or less of miconazole per ml using a broth dilution technique. In each patient, miconazole administered intravenously in dosages of 30 mg/kg per day failed to control or eradicate infection. Miconazole serum levels ranged from <0.5 to 4.35 mug/ml as determined by radial diffusion bioassay. Cerebrospinal fluid levels were virtually undetectable. In one patient (C. neoformans), miconazole was given intraventricularly in doses of 15 mg without response. Therapeutic failures were attributed to suboptimal body fluid levels of miconazole. The reason(s) for such low levels of activity was not clear, but may have been poor penetrance into tissues, in vitro inactivation, and/or unusually rapid excretion. Untoward reactions from miconazole included fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and phlebitis.

72 kidney transplants at the Medical College of Georgia 1968-1976.

Seventy-two kidneys have been transplanted-47 from related donors, and 25 from cadaver donors-into 63 recipients. No donor died or experienced a complication requiring more than one extra week of hospitalization. Six recipients died. Three of the six recipients died from complications. Two of the six died only because they declined to resume hemodialysis, and one died in prison of unusual circumstances after seven and one-half years of good health and kidney function. Five patients are surviving by virtue of a second transplant. Eight patients are now on hemodialysis. Seven patients with transplants are not in excellent physical health and five other patients with excellent health and renal function are nonetheless frequently depressed and easily upset over minor physical disabilities. A majority of the recipients have been rehabilitated to a gratifying extent.