Clinical and experimental keratitis due to Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn var. aeria (Batista, Lima and Vasconcelos) Ellis

A case of mycotic keratitis due to Curvularia lunata var. aeria is reported for the first time from India. Direct microscopic examination of the corneal scrapings in KOH (50 g1(-1)), stained with lactophenol cotton blue, revealed brown septate hyphae and the cultures were found positive for fungus. It was identified as C. lunata (Wakker) Boedijn var. aeria (Batista, Lima and Vasconcelos) Ellis (IMI 253204) and its growth was better at 28 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. In vitro, the fungus was most sensitive to amphotericin B followed by miconazole nitrate, clotrimazole and triphenyltin isoselenocyanate 4-picoline which had the same activity. Lactones were least active and tolciclate and arnebins and inactive. The fungus produced experimental keratomycosis in the rabbit cornea and the infection severity as well as histopathological changes were more pronounced in rabbits that received penicillin, streptomycin and cortisone.

Orbital paecilomycosis due to Paecilomyces lilacinus (Thom) Samson

The first case of orbital paecilomycosis is described. Fungal hyphae were found in a KOH preparation of the granulomatous tissue, removed from the orbit, and also in histological sections. Culture of the tissue was positive for fungus which was resistant to cycloheximide (0.5 g/l). It was identified as Paecilomyces lilacinus (Thom) Samson (IMI 213487) and shown to be pathogenic for the rabbit cornea.

Studies on a strain of Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. Isolated from a case of mycotic keratitis

A strain of Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. (IMI-216517), isolated from a patient of mycotic keratitis, produced experimental keratomycosis in albino rabbit cornea and survived in internal tissues of albino mice for varying periods. Alantolactone, isolated from the plant - Inula racemosa Hook. f. exhibited marked in vitro fungistatic activity against this strain of F. solani at 100-200 microgram/ml concentrations. The strain was less sensitive to amphotericin B and showed more acid than alkaline proteinase and phosphatase activities.

Mycotic keratitis due to Rhizoctonia sp

A case of mycotic keratitis due to Rhizoctonia sp. is reported for the first time. Fungal hyphae were detected in corneal scrapings and cultures were found positive for Rhizoctonia sp. on two occasions. Species could not be identified and it has been disposed in Herb. IMI as Rhizoctonia sp. (IMI 200029). The isolate grew faster at 37 degrees C than at 28 degrees C and its pathogenicity was established in rabbit's eye.

Experiences of a methadone detoxification programme for opium addicts

The conduction of a new programme of methadone detoxification of opium addicts in a general hospital setting is described. A blind technique of dispensing methadone in a powdered form mixed with powdered aspirin to two groups of opium addicts was used: Group A were given a gradual reduction of the methadone over a period of ten days, while group B were maintained on the initial stabilising dose for the ten days and then abruptly withdrawn from methadone on the eleventh day. It was observed that the number of complaints and abstinence symptoms was markedly reduced in Group B. It is suggested that this technique is a major improvement over the standard progressive reduction method of methadone detoxification. A follow-up of these patients over a period of 1 1/2 years is reported.