Variations of enzymatic activity and biotypes of the yeast like fungi strains isolated from cancer patients

PURPOSE

Determination of the enzymatic activity and enzymatic biotypes variations of the yeast like fungi strains isolated from cancer patients with oral candidiasis during last 5 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We evaluated enzymatic activity of 92 Candida albicans strains isolated from oral ontocenosis from cancer patients with candidiasis symptoms in 1999 and 2003. The enzymatic activity of the strains tested was assessed by the API ZYM (bioMerieux) method. Biotypes of the strains were determined according to Williamson's or Kurnatowska's and Kurnatowski's classifications.

RESULTS

In 1999 Candida albicans 17 of 19 tested isolates had hydrolytic activity hydrolases and 87% of strains were assigned according to Wiliamson's. Only 8.7% of strains were classified according to Kurnatowska's and Kurnatowski's, but 4.3% strains according to Krajewska-Kułak et al. In 2003, 18 of 19 strains had hydrolytic activity and 93.5% of strains were classified according to Wiliamson's, but 4.3% according to Kurnatowska's and Kurnatowski's and 2.2% according to Krajewska-Kułak et al.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of present study indicate that most of tested strains were classified into Wiliamson's system. Our findings suggest that other Candida biotypes should be determined according to their different enzymatic activity and susceptibilities.

The importance of the health education in life quality improvement in patients with psoriasis

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of the psoriatic patient knowledge of the disease on the quality of life.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was carried out in 149 patients with psoriasis. All patients answered on anonymous questionnaire, in according to Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI).

RESULTS

Almost 43% patients could not show any factor which provoked their disease, 31.5% could not tell any recommendations for cure and care of the psoriatic lesions and 32.2% patients could not point out any methods to avoid psoriatic lesions spread. Almost 60% of the group admitted that their quality of life fell because of the disease. At the same time, patients who did not have enough information concerning the disease had lower quality of life index.

CONCLUSIONS

The level of the disease knowledge in the patients with psoriasis influences their quality of live. Therefore it is indicated for the patiens and their families to be involved in the proper educational program.

Indoor air studies of fungi contamination of social welfare home in Czerewki in north-east part of Poland

PURPOSE

The contamination of the indoor environment with yeast-like fungi and moulds in social welfare home in Czerewki was evaluated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The concentration of airborne fungi (in front of the building and in the corridors, patient rooms, study rooms, recreation rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, toilets) was determined using SAS-Super 100 (Pbi International). The fungal concentration on walls was assessed using the Count-Tact applicator and the plate Count-Tact irradiated (BioMerieux). Swabs were taken from the skin of the interdigital spaces of feet and hands, nails and the oral cavity of the residents. The fungi from the swabs were cultured on Sabouraud medium. Fungi were identified using standard microbial procedures.

RESULTS

Tests of air and walls revealed significant differences in mycological flora in depending on the place isolation (e.g. corridor, rooms, reading room, nurse, room, kitchen, dining room, bathroom) and season (summer, autumn, winter, spring). A significant increase in the fungi isolated from the air and walls in the social welfare home was found, depending on the season.

CONCLUSION

An increase in the fungi isolated from residents was found in relation to the season.

Tinea capitis favosa in Poland. Fallberichte. Tinea capitis favosa in Polen

Tinea capitis favosa is uncommon in Europe. We describe two patients who had local alopecia caused by Trichophyton schoenleinii. In the first case, we observed good clinical response after griseofulvin treatment and in the second case after topical application of ciclopirox cream.

[Effects of 33% grapefruit extract on the growth of the yeast--like fungi, dermatopytes and moulds]

Grapefruit seed extract was discovered by Jacob Harich an american immunologist in 1980. Assessment of the influence of grapefruit extract on the yeast-like fungi strains--Candida albicans growth. Material used in this investigation was ATCC test Candida albicans strains no 10231, 200 of Candida albicans strains, 5 of Candida sp. strains isolated from patients with candidiasis symptoms from different ontocenosis and 12 of dermatophytes and moulds isolated from patients. The susceptibility of the Candida was determined by serial dilution method. It seems that 33% grapefruit extract exert a potent antifungal activity against the yeast like fungi strains and had low activity against dermatophytes and moulds. Further studies in vitro and in vivo on greater number of the yeast-like fungi strains and other fungi species are needed.

Ultrastructural changes of Candida albicans under influence of cyclosporin A

The aim of this study was the assessment of influence of cyclosporin A on ultrastructural changes of Candida albicans in vitro. Strains of Candida albicans isolated from woman with chronic vulvovaginitis were used. At the first part of experiment MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) of cyclosporin on Sabouraud medium was assessed. Control plates were also prepared. From plates with Candida albicans there was observed its visual growth, the yeasts were prepared for electron transmission microscopic examines. It was found that ultrastructural changes of Candida albicans cells in the presence of Cyclosporin A. In particular, the cell wall was thicker and deteriorated. The organelles were altered in varying degrees and autolysis was observed.

Effect of topical miconazole in plaque psoriasis

The aim of this study was the assessment of efficacy and tolerance of topical miconazole in plaque psoriasis. 9 patients aged 23-63 years with diagnosis of plaque psoriasis were enrolled. 2% miconazole cream was applied twice daily from 7 to 12 weeks (under occlusive dressing to obtain optimal penetration of the drug) in the plaque with a minimum diameter of 5 cm. In most patients clinical improvement of the topical miconazole treatment was observed.

In vitro synergistic activity of ketoconazole with valproic acid against Candida species

The susceptibility of 148 strains of Candida albicans and 20 strains of Candida species from patients was tested against ketoconazole (CAS 65277-42-1, KTZ), valproic acid (CAS 99-66-1, VPA) and the combination of KTZ and VPA, using Sabouraud's and YNB (yeast nitrogen base) media. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) with regard of C. albicans determined on diagnostic plates which contained Sabouraud's medium gave values of 49.84 +/- 5.83 mg/l (KTZ) and 202.97 +/- 17.70 mg/l (VPA), and on plates which contained YNB agar, values of 8.06 +/- 0.99 mg/l (KTZ) and 122.57 +/- 12.08 mg/l (VPA). The combination of KTZ and VPA in various ratios (1:1, 1:2, 2:1) was found to exert synergistic effects against C. albicans on Sabouraud's medium and the mean values of the combinations were: 4.29 +/- 0.37, 5.29 +/- 0.37, 5.02 +/- 0.38 mg/l. These results were significantly different (p < 0.001) compared with KTZ. The findings indicate that VPA, an antiepileptic drug, increases the antifungal activity of KTZ against C. albicans and Candida species in vitro.

Preliminary study on the effect of the selected calmodulin antagonists on the skin

The aim of the study was to make a selection of the calmodulin antagonists, which could be useful in topical treatment of psoriasis. Four drugs were assessed: chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, miconazole and ketoconazole. They were applied on the skin of guinea pigs, twice a day for the period of two weeks. Biopsy specimens from these sites were being taken for light microscopy, histoenzymatic examination and for evaluation of the proliferation activity of the epidermis (the AgNOR stain, after Ploton). A decrease in reaction activities for lactate dehydrogenase and succinic dehydrogenase as well as in the proliferation activity of the epidermis, could suggest an inhibitory effect of chlorpromazine and miconazole on the cell cycle and keratinization process.

Effects of the combination of ketoconazole and calmodulin inhibitors against Candida albicans in vitro. Short communication

The susceptibility of 66 strains of Candida albicans from patients was tested against ketoconazole (Ktz), chlorpromazine (Chl) levomepromazine (Lev), haloperidol (Hal) and the combination of Ktz with these calmodulin inhibitors, using Sabouraud's broth. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for 66 strains of C. albicans were as follows: Chl 192 +/- 11.4 micrograms/ml, Lev 306 +/- 16.4 micrograms/ml, Hal 464 +/- 13.8 micrograms/ml compared with Ktz 34.46 +/- 3.9 micrograms/ml. The combination of Ktz and calmodulin inhibitors in various ratios (1:1,1:2,2:1) was found to exert synergistic effect and the mean values of the combinations were: Ktz+Chl 3.45 +/- 0.35, 3.78 + 0.36, 5.58 + 0.4 micrograms/ml; Ktz+Lev 10.8 +/- 2.19, 9.7 +/- 2.23, 10.5 + 2 micrograms/ml; Ktz+Hal 6.4 +/- 1.7, 6.8 +/- 1.6, 7.28 +/- 1.5 micrograms/ml. These results were significantly different (p < 0.001) from those of ketoconazole. These findings indicate that some calmodulin inhibitors increase the antifungal activity of Ktz against C. albicans in vitro.

Effects of the combination of ketoconazole and calcium channel antagonists against Candida albicans in vitro

Susceptibility of 66 strains of Candida albicans from patients were tested against ketoconazole (Ktz, CAS 65277-42-1), cinnarizine (Cin), verapamil (Ver), nifedipine (Nif), nimodipine (Nim) and the combination of Ktz with these calcium channel antagonists, using Sabouraud's broth. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) determined on diagnostic plates gave values of Ktz: 34.5 +/- 3.9 micrograms/ml, Cin 413 +/- 11.3 micrograms/ml, Ver 334 +/- 11.4 micrograms/ml, Nif 374 +/- 19.3 micrograms/ml and Nim 486 +/- 20 micrograms/ml. The combination of Ktz and calcium channel antagonists in various ratios (1 : 1, 1 : 2, 2 : 1) was found to exert synergistic effect and the mean values of the combinations were: Ktz+Cin 6.52 +/- 1.67, 6.4 +/- 1.71, 6.06 +/- 1.7 micrograms/ml: Ktz+Ver 11.13 +/- 2.13, 11.63 +/- 2.22, 10.6 +/- 2.1 micrograms/ml: Ktz+Nif 7.37 +/- 1.6, 7.7 +/- 1.57, 7.4 +/- 1.75 micrograms/ml: Ktz+Nim 10.1 +/- 2.28, 10.6 +/- 2.31, 9.91 +/- 2.21 micrograms/ml. These results were significantly different (p < 0.001) compared with ketoconazole. Our findings indicate that some calcium channel antagonists increase the antifungal activity of Ktz against C. albicans in vitro.

[Incidence and enzymatic properties of yeast-like fungi. Examination of workers of various departments of the District Meat-Processing Industry in Białystok]

In a group of 111 workers of the District Meat Processing Plant clinical examination of the skin and cultures for Candida organisms were performed. The proteolytic and lipolytic properties of these fungi were analysed. From the interdigital spaces of hands 42 strains were isolated, with the species Candida albicans accounting for 13.5% of the strains (15). Case history and the character of skin lesions on the hands and forearms suggested that they were caused by skin contact with meat and internal organs producing the so called "gut eczema" while Candida was secondary agent causing exacerbation of skin changes.

[Mixed infections of the urogenital tract with Trichomonas vaginalis and yeast-like fungi in humans with reference to treatment]

Comparative studies on the incidence of mixed infections with T. vaginalis and yeast-like fungi in man carried out within the years 1969-1980 and 1981-1984 showed a progressive increase of this kind of disease. Clinical treatment with Clotrimazole was performed in 35 patients. Local therapy with Clotrimazole was effective, if 3-5 days later the patients receive Tinidazole at one dosage. In some patients, the therapy has to be continued with Metronidazole.

[Trichomoniasis of the urogenital tract in patients hospitalized in 1976-1983]

We report on investigations carried out on T. vaginalis and mixed infection (T. vaginalis and yeast-like fungi). Special attention was paid to metronidazol resistance on T. vaginalis strains isolated from patients who had been repeatedly treated with this medicament. Therefore we point to the necessity of defining the patients' susceptibility to this remedy.

[Virulence of candida-like fungi, isolated from the urogenital tract (author's transl)]

The virulence of candida-like fungi, isolated from the urogenital tract, was determined (enzymatic techniques, morphology, biologic tests in mice). A good correlation between the results of the various techniques and the clinical signs of the patients was found.

Effect of asparagine and arginine on the repair of isoprenaline-damaged myocardium of rat

The effect of asparagine and arginine on the repair of isoprenaline-damaged myocardium was studied. In group I (treated with isoprenaline) the rats developed large foci of myocardial damage filled by connective tissue after 14 days. Similar changes were observed in group II (isoprenaline + asparagine). In group III of rats treated with isoprenaline and arginine the number of foci of injury and their size were smaller, and only a few small foci fibrosis were found after 14 days. Arginine seems to protect the rat myocardium from isoprenaline-induced damage. The repair by connective tissue is supplemented by compensatory hypertrophy of muscle fibers.