Comparison of three differential media for the presumptive identification of yeasts.

This study evaluated three differential media, CHROMagar Candida, BiGGY agar and Albicans ID2 agar, for the presumptive identification of yeast species. In total, 215 yeast isolates were included in the study. The sensitivity and specificity of CHROMagar Candida, BiGGY agar and Albicans ID2 agar for the detection of Candida albicans were 100% and 100%, 91% and 92.7%, and 99.2% and 92.7%, respectively. CHROMagar Candida was a reliable tool for the presumptive identification of C. albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei and Candida glabrata. Albicans ID2 agar was useful for the detection of C. albicans.

Effects of some probable antioxidants on selenite-induced cataract formation and oxidative stress-related parameters in rats.

The effect of several natural and synthetic compounds on selenite-induced cataract was investigated in rat pups. Simultaneous determination of glutathione S-transferase (GST), selenium dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were carried out in the lens, erythrocyte and plasma. The results showed that propolis, diclofenac, vitamin C (Vit-C) and quercetin prevented cataract formation to the extent of 70, 60, 58.4, and 40%, respectively. Standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (Egb 761) did not affect the cataract formation. Selenite treatment caused a significant decrease in the activity of erythrocyte SOD. This was accompanied by a simultaneous increase in the levels of MDA either in lens and in plasma. A significant increase was shown in erythrocyte GST (substrate ethacrynic acid; eaa), and GPx activities and lens GST (substrate chlorodinitro benzene; cdnb) activity. Antioxidant treatment caused significant changes in enzyme activities and MDA levels. There was no effect of selenite and antioxidants on total body weight increase during the course of the study. Blood parameters did not correlate to lens parameters following selenite treatment. Our results suggest that antioxidant supplementation following selenite exposure may prevent the cataract formation and may enhance antioxidant defence of blood and lens.

Aqueous humor penetration of topically applied ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and tobramycin.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to determine the aqueous humor concentrations of topically applied ciprofloxacin (CAS 86393-32-0), ofloxacin (CAS 82419-36-1) and tobramycin (CAS 79645-27-5). Thirty patients undergoing cataract extraction or trabeculectomy were randomly divided into three groups and each of the group received either 0.3% ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin or tobramycin topical drops preoperatively. Eyedrops were instilled for six times at a frequency of one drop every 15 minutes, beginning 90 minutes before initiation of the surgery. At the time of surgery, 0.1 ml aqueous fluid was aspirated from the anterior chamber. Concentrations of the antimicrobial agents were determined using the microbroth dilution procedure outlined by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) was used as a standard strain for determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). The mean aqueous levels of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin were found to be 0.092 +/- 0.077 microgram/ml, 0.964 +/- 0.693 microgram/ml, respectively. Tobramycin did not reach the concentration that could be detected by applied method. CONCLUSION: The mean aqueous humor levels of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were more than the MICs levels for most of the ocular pathogens which may cause postoperative endophthalmitis.