Clavispora (Candida) lusitaniae susceptibility profiles and genetic diversity in three tertiary hospitals (1998–2001)

Effect of fluconazole antifungal prophylaxis on oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy

GOAL OF WORK

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of fluconazole antifungal prophylaxis on the severity of mucositis in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-three patients, with malignant head and neck tumor, eligible to receive radiotherapy, entered the study. Thirty-four patients (group A) received 100 mg/day of fluconazole prophylaxis during radiotherapy and were compared with 29 patients, who received radiotherapy alone (group B). The two groups were similar in terms of patients and radiotherapy characteristics. Smear to test for Candida carriage was taken before and after radiotherapy. Oral candidiasis was diagnosed using the criteria described before. Oral mucositis was recorded according to EORTC/RTOG criteria.

MAIN RESULTS

A significant reduction of severe mucositis at the end of radiotherapy (14.7 vs 44.8%, p=0.018) and of interruptions (0 vs 17.2%, p=0.017) was observed in group A. Candidiasis was prevented (0 vs 34.5%, p=0.001), with a significant reduction of Candida carriage of 40.7% (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Fluconazole prophylaxis showed a significant beneficial impact on the severity of mucositis and on radiotherapy interruptions in this group of patients. The current study provides data on the build of a randomized controlled trial on the effect of fluconazole prophylaxis on treatment schedule and quality of life of the patients during head and neck radiotherapy.

Fatal Blastoschizomyces capitatus sepsis in a neutropenic patient with acute myeloid leukemia: first documented case from Greece

Blastoschizomyces capitatus (formerly known as Geotrichum capitatum and Trichosporon capitatum) is a rare, yet an emerging, cause of invasive infections in immunosuppressed patients. Profound and prolonged neutropenia is the crucial predisposing factor for this yeast infection. Blastoschizomyces capitatus was isolated from peripheral blood cultures of a profoundly neutropenic patient with acute myeloid leukemia (M2 FAB). Despite administration of antifungal chemotherapy with liposomal amphotericin B at 4.5 mg kg(-1) daily, the patient succumbed 4 days after initiation of treatment. Infections attributed to B. capitatus have generally a poor prognosis, although the yeast shows in vitro susceptibility to antifungal agents. Low flucytosine, caspofungin acetate, voriconazole and amphotericin B minimum inhibitory concentration values were also recorded with our isolate. The clinical relevance of the in vitro susceptibility testing against the isolate and the current antifungal chemotherapy regimens against B. capitatus systemic infections are discussed.

Oral Candida isolates in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: prevalence, azole susceptibility profiles and response to antifungal treatment

Oral pseudomembranous candidiasis and mucositis were assessed in 39 patients receiving a total dose of 39-70 Gy radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Mucositis was scored using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria, and oral candidiasis was diagnosed on the basis of clinical evaluation and quantitative laboratory findings. Radiation-induced mucositis was observed in 9/39 patients. Only 3/39 patients discontinued radiotherapy due to acute severe mucosal effects. Candidiasis (colony-forming units 35 to > or = 60/lesion) associated with mucositis was diagnosed in 30/39 patients: the most frequent aetiology of the infection was Candida albicans (n = 23), followed by Candida glabrata (n = 3), Candida krusei (n = 2), Candida tropicalis (n = 1) and Candida kefyr (n = 1). Patients with confirmed oral pseudomembranous candidiasis were treated with either fluconazole 200 mg/day or itraconazole 200 mg/day for 2 weeks. Clinical improvement and concomitant negative Candida cultures (mycologic cure) were the criteria determining a response to antifungal treatment. Etest revealed very low voriconazole MICs (0.004-0.125 microg/ml) for all isolates, and fluconazole resistance for eight C. albicans strains (MIC > 64 microg/ml) and for the C. krusei isolates (MIC > 32 microg/ml). The same strains showed itraconazole susceptibility dose dependence (MIC 0.5 microg/ml). Despite the itraconazole susceptible dose dependent MIC readings, all patients with oral pseudomembranous candidiasis caused by these strains responded to antifungal treatment with 200 mg/day itraconazole. Oral mycologic surveillance of patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies and susceptibility testing of isolates may be indicated in cases with mucositis-associated confirmed oral pseudomembranous candidiasis to ensure prompt administration of targeted antifungal treatment. On the basis of the low MIC values found, clinical evaluation of voriconazole is indicated for management of oral pseudomembranous candidiasis refractory to other azoles.

Effect of PI-HAART on the prevalence of oral lesions in HIV-1 infected patients. A Greek study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between the prevalence of oral lesions and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) including a protease inhibitor (PI).

DESIGN

Prospective study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ninety-five consecutive patients, attending an AIDS Unit, in Greece entered the study. Fourty-four patients were receiving PI- HAART, 14 patients were on double antiretroviral therapy, and 37 patients were not receiving antiretroviral therapy at the time of oral examination. Oral lesions were diagnosed by established presumptive clinical criteria.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Oral lesions were scored. CD4 counts and viral load were determined and related to the prevalence of oral lesions.

RESULTS

Oral lesions, and specifically oral candidiasis, were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) in patients receiving PI-HAART. Oral lesions were significantly increased in patients with CD4 counts <200 cells microl(-1) and viral load >20,000 copies ml(-1) (P < 0.001). The percentage of patients, with lesions on PI-HAART, and with CD4 < 200 and viral load >20,000 was 1.5 times lower (37.5%vs 58.8%, P < 0.001) than that of patients not receiving antiretroviral therapy, but with similar immune and viremic status.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral lesions were significantly reduced in patients on PI-HAART. A direct anticandidal effect of PI was suggestive and seemed to have accounted, beyond the HAART-related immune reconstitution, for the reduction of candidiasis and all other oral lesions.