Candida Feed
- The effect of various concentrations of iodine potassium iodide on the antimicrobial properties of mineral trioxide aggregate â a pilot study
Conclusions:Â Substitution of IKI solutions (1%, 2%, and 4%) for water did not significantly increase the antimicrobial activity of MTA. (Source: Dental Traumatology)MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.
- Killing by neutrophil extracellular traps: fact or folklore?
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are DNA structures released by dying neutrophils and claimed to constitute a new microbicidal mechanism. Killing by NET-forming cells is ascribed to these structures because it is prevented by preincubation with DNase, which has been shown to dismantle NETs, before addition of the target microorganisms. Curiously, the possibility that the microorganisms ensnared in NETs are alive has not been considered. Using Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans blastospores, we demonstrate that the microorganisms captured by NETs and thought to be killed are alive because they are released and recovered in cell medium by incubation with DNase. It is concluded that NETs entrap but do not kill microbes. (Source: Blood) - Efficient capture of Candida albicans and zymosan by SIGNR1 augments TLR2-dependent TNF-{alpha} production
In this study, we explore the impact of SIGNR1 in the recognition of C. albicans/zymosan and the subsequent tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production using SIGNR1-transfected RAW264.7 (RAW-SIGNR1) cells and resident peritoneal macrophages. Compared with RAW-control cells, RAW-SIGNR1 cells dramatically enhanced TNF-α production upon the stimulation with heat-killed C. albicans and zymosan. Recognition of microbes via carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) of SIGNR1 was crucial for the enhanced TNF-α production. Consistently, such an enhancement was significantly decreased by anti-SIGNR1 mAb. Laminarin, antagonistic Dectin-1 ligand, cooperated to further diminish the response, although no effect was observed by itself in RAW-SIGNR1 cells. However, it moderately reduced the re... - Fungi and allergic lower respiratory tract diseases
Asthma is a common disorder that in 2009 afflicted 8.2% of adults and children, 24.6 million persons, in the United States. In patients with moderate and severe persistent asthma, there is significantly increased morbidity, use of health care support, and health care costs. Epidemiologic studies in the United States and Europe have associated mold sensitivity, particularly to Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium herbarum, with the development, persistence, and severity of asthma. In addition, sensitivity to Aspergillus fumigatus has been associated with severe persistent asthma in adults. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is caused by A fumigatus and is characterized by exacerbations of asthma, recurrent transient chest radiographic infiltrates, coughing up thick mucus plugs,... - An Aspergillus nidulans bZIP response pathway hardwired for defensive secondary metabolism operates through aflR
SummaryThe eukaryotic bZIP transcription factors are critical players in organismal response to environmental challenges. In fungi, the production of secondary metabolites (SMs) is hypothesized as one of the responses to environmental insults, e.g. attack by fungivorous insects, yet little data to support this hypothesis exists. Here we establish a mechanism of bZIP regulation of SMs through RsmA, a recently discovered YAPâlike bZIP protein. RsmA greatly increases SM production by binding to two sites in the A. nidulans AflR promoter region, a C6 transcription factor known for activating production of the carcinogenic and antiâpredation SM, sterigmatocystin (ST). Deletion of aflR in an overexpression rsmA (OE::rsmA) background not only eliminates ST production but also significantly re... - Discrepancy of in-vitro data and clinical efficacy of micafungin against Candida tropicalis endophthalmitis
We report findings for a 74-year-old woman with Candida tropicalis endophthalmitis for whom an increase in β-d-glucan level and worsening of endophthalmitis were observed after intravenous injection of micafungin, an echinocandin antifungal agent. Endogenous endophthalmitis caused by C. tropicalis developed in both eyes. On the basis of her surgical history, laboratory data, and lesions, tentative diagnosis of fungal endophthalmitis was made. She was then treated with fluconazole and itraconazole, but the β-d-glucan level did not decrease, and there was no improvement of the endophthalmitis. The fluconazole was discontinued and replaced by micafungin. Unexpectedly, the level of β-d-glucan increased and endophthalmitis did not improve. The micafungin was immediately stopped and replac...MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors
- Anidulafungin for the treatment of candidaemia/invasive candidiasis in selected critically ill patients
AbstractA prospective, multicentre, phase IIIb study with an exploratory, openâlabel design was conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety of anidulafungin for the treatment of candidaemia/invasive candidiasis (C/IC) in specific ICU patient populations. Adult ICU patients with confirmed C/IC meeting â¥1 of the following criteria were enrolled: postabdominal surgery, solid tumour, renal/hepatic insufficiency, solid organ transplant, neutropaenia, age â¥65 years. Patients received anidulafungin (200 mg on day 1, 100 mg/day thereafter) for 10â42 days, optionally followed by oral voriconazole/fluconazole. The primary efficacy endpoint was global (clinical and microbiologic) response at the end of all therapy (EOT). Secondary endpoints included global response at the end of intravenous the... - An evolutionary perspective on Câtype lectins in infection and immunity
Hostâpathogen interactions have coevolved for many years. On the one hand, the human immune system consists of innate and adaptive immune cells that function to defeat pathogens, and on the other hand, pathogens have coevolved to use the system for their own propagation. Câtype lectins are conserved receptors recognizing carbohydrate structures on viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Câtype lectins such as DCâSIGN, langerin, and dectinâ1 are expressed by dendritic cell subsets and macrophages. Pathogen recognition by Câtype lectins triggers signaling pathways that lead to the expression of specific cytokines which subsequently instruct adaptive T helper immune responses. T helper cell differentiation is crucial for initiating proper adaptive immune responses; some pathogens... - Low virulent oral Candida albicans strains isolated from smokers
Abstract: It is widely accepted that tabagism is a predisposing factor to oral candidosis and cumulate data suggest that cigarette compounds may increase candidal virulence. To verify if enhanced virulence occurs in Candida albicans from chronic smokers, a cohort of 42 non-smokers and other of 58 smokers (all with excellent oral conditions and without signs of candidosis) were swabbed on tong dorsum and jugal mucosa. Results showed that oral candidal loads do not differ between smoker and non-smokers. Activities of secreted aspartyl-protease (Sap), phospholipase, chondroitinase, esteraseâlipase, and haemolysin secretions were screened for thirty-two C. albicans isolates. There were detected significant increments in phospholipasic and chondroitinasic activities in isolates from non-smoke... - CR3 Is a Signaling Receptor for Soluble {beta}-Glucan [Immunology]
Neutrophils provide an innate immune response to tissues infected with fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans. This response is tightly regulated in part through the interaction of integrins with extracellular matrix ligands that are distributed within infected tissues. The β2 integrin, CR3 (CD11b/CD18), is unique among integrins in containing a lectin-like domain that binds the fungal pathogen-associated molecular pattern β-glucan and serves as the dominant receptor for recognition of fungal pathogens by human granulocytes. β-Glucan, when isolated in soluble form, has been shown to be a safe and effective immune potentiator when administered therapeutically. Currently a pharmaceutical grade preparation of β-glucan is in several clinical trials with an anti-cancer indication. CR3 bi... - Photodynamic inactivation of biofilms formed by Candida spp., Trichosporon mucoides, and Kodamaea ohmeri by cationic nanoemulsion of zinc 2,9,16,23-tetrakis(phenylthio)-29H, 31H-phthalocyanine (ZnPc)
Abstract The biofilms formed by opportunistic yeasts serve as a persistent reservoir of infection and impair the treatment of fungal diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of biofilms formed by Candida spp. and the emerging pathogens Trichosporon mucoides and Kodamaea ohmeri by a cationic nanoemulsion of zinc 2,9,16,23-tetrakis(phenylthio)-29H,31H-phthalocyanine (ZnPc). Biofilms formed by yeasts after 48 h in the bottom of 96-well microtiter plates were treated with the photosensitizer (ZnPc) and a GaAlAs laser (26.3 J cmâ2). The biofilm cells were scraped off the well wall, homogenized, and seeded onto Sabouraud dextrose agar plates that were then incubated at 37°C for 48 h. Efficient PDI of biofilms was verifie...MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.
- Bacteriuria and antibiotic resistance in catheter urine specimens following radical prostatectomy.
CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of RP patients have positive urine cultures at the time of catheter removal, despite the administration of prophylactic fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Potentially virulent organisms are commonly cultured, and ciprofloxacin resistance is frequent. However, outcomes are favorable when culture-specific oral antibiotic therapy is initiated. PMID: 22285005 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Urologic Oncology) - An Alternative Respiratory Pathway on Candida krusei: Implications on Susceptibility Profile and oxidative stress
AbstractOur aim was detect the presence of an alternative oxidase (AOX) in Candida krusei clinical strains and its influence on fluconazole susceptibility and in reactive oxygen species production. C. krusei clinical isolates were tested in order to evaluate the presence of AOX. Debaromyces hansenii 2968 (AOX positive), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4742 (AOX negative) were used as controls strains. Measurements of oxygen consumption were performed in the presence of 1 mM KCN, an inhibitor of the classical respiratory chain and 5 mM salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM). AOX expression was monitored by western blotting using an AOX monoclonal antibody. Interactions between fluconazole and SHAM were performed using checkerboard assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was evaluated in the p... - Elaboration of antiâbiofilm surfaces functionalized with antifungalâcyclodextrin inclusion complexes
AbstractTo tackle the loss of activity of surfaces functionalized by coating and covalently bound molecules to materials, an intermediate system implying the non covalent immobilization of active molecules in the inner cavity of grafted cyclodextrins (CDs) was investigated.The antifungal and antibiofilm activities of the most stable complexes of Anidulafungin (echinocandin) and thymol (terpen) in various cyclodextrins was demonstrated to be almost the same as the free molecules. The selected cyclodextrin was covalently bond to selfâassembled monolayers on gold surfaces. The immobilized antifungal agents reduced the number of culturable Candida albicans ATCC 3153 attached to the surface by 64 ± 8% for anidulafungin and 75 ± 15% for thymol. The inhibitory activity was persistent for thym... - A Randomized, Double-Blind, Prospective Study of Caspofungin vs. Amphotericin B for the Treatment of Invasive Candidiasis in Newborn Infants
Conclusion: Caspofungin is more effective, safer and alternative to amphotericin B for the treatment of invasive candidiasis in newborn infants. (Source: Journal of Tropical Pediatrics)
