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cutaneous involvement with cryptococcus neoformans in aids. 19957772184
effect of amphotericin b on the lipids of five different strains of cryptococcus neoformans.cells of five strains of cryptococcus neoformans were obtained for partial analysis of lipid composition. quantitative analysis of lipids and sterols were completed, as well as qualitative analysis of sterols by thin-layer chromatography and by the ultraviolet spectra. such determinations were made on cells cultured in the absence and presence of amphotericin b at sub-mic (minimal inhibitory concentration) levels. marked alterations of the lipid and sterol contents were observed in the amphoteri ...19947777038
[cryptococcus neoformans pleuritis in an hiv infected patient]. 19957779903
microcomputer system for automatic identification of the cryptococcus neoformans and its clinical application.in this study, microcomputer image processing and pattern recognition technology, and the knowledge of morphology and optical characteristics of cryptococcus neoformans were used for identification of cryptococcus neoformans. four groups of mice were lethally infected with standard strain, wuhan strain, american b-2643 strain and var. shanghainesis of the cryptococcus neoformans. the samples collected included mice brain, lung, kidney, liver, small intestine tissue and were observed under a ligh ...19957783263
t cell-dependent activation of macrophages and enhancement of their phagocytic activity in the lungs of mice inoculated with heat-killed cryptococcus neoformans: involvement of ifn-gamma and its protective effect against cryptococcal infection.previous investigations have demonstrated that macrophages play a critical role in the first-line cellular defense mechanism against infection with cryptococcus neoformans. in the present study, to elucidate the way in which anticryptococcal activity of macrophages is regulated at the site of infection, pulmonary intraparenchymal macrophages were directly analyzed for expression of their surface molecules and their phagocytic activities against the organism, and the effects of depletion of t cel ...19957783686
efficacy evaluation of a novel submicron miconazole emulsion in a murine cryptococcosis model.submicron emulsions of miconazole were stabilized by using a combination of three emulsifiers comprising phospholipids, poloxamer, and deoxycholic acid (dca). the presence of dca was vital for prolonged emulsion stability owing to its contribution to the elevated zeta potential of the emulsion. further, the results by the phospholipid surface labelling colorimetric technique clearly suggested that poloxamer molecules interacted with phospholipid polar-head groups of the mixed dca-phospholipid in ...19957784337
ingestion of acapsular cryptococcus neoformans occurs via mannose and beta-glucan receptors, resulting in cytokine production and increased phagocytosis of the encapsulated form.cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic yeast and a major cause of opportunistic infection in aids patients. it is commonly found in an acapsular form in the environment, and infection is likely to occur by inhalation. the lung provides a suitable environment for capsule synthesis, and once encapsulated, c. neoformans becomes resistant to phagocytosis. a stable acapsular mutant of the organism is readily ingested by murine macrophages in vitro, indicating entry via constitutively competent recep ...19957790075
effects of the two varieties of cryptococcus neoformans cells and culture filtrate antigens on neutrophil locomotion.cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii (serotype b and c) isolates have a relative predilection for immunocompetent hosts, and c. neoformans var. neoformans (serotype a and d) isolates have a relative predilection for immunocompromised hosts, suggesting that normal host resistance to the former may be relatively inefficient compared with that to the latter variety. in order to assess the possibility that normal cellular host defense is inadequate in protecting against c. neoformans var. gattii, we ...19957790079
oxygen as limiting nutrient for growth of cryptococcus neoformans.in microbroth cultures with rpmi 1640 medium, the growth yield of seven cryptococcus neoformans isolates was unaffected by augmentation of the normal (0.2%) glucose concentration in the medium to 2%, and the addition of other potential carbon, nitrogen, and vitamin sources to the medium also failed to produce large changes in growth yield. however, macrobroth cultures of c. neoformans in rpmi 1640 that were agitated by rotation in air gave turbidities 6 to 37 times greater than those in identica ...19957790475
dispute slows paper on "remarkable" vaccine. 19957792593
cerebral cryptococcosis in a child.reported is one case of cerebral cryptococcosis in a 12-year-old girl. the diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of cryptococcus neoformans with both india ink preparation of the cerebrospinal fluid and sabouraud's media culture. clinical presentation included progressive severe headache, vomiting, left eye pain, diplopia, dizziness and unstable gait. fever was absent as a symptom. initial brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a focal lesion over the right cerebellar hemisphere with bette ...19957793279
the discovery of australifungin, a novel inhibitor of sphinganine n-acyltransferase from sporormiella australis. producing organism, fermentation, isolation, and biological activity.potent antifungal activity was detected in fermentation extracts of sporormiella australis and two related components were isolated from solid fermentations using silica gel and high speed countercurrent chromatography. the most active antifungal component, australifungin, contained a unique combination of alpha-diketone and beta-ketoaldehyde functional groups. australifungin exhibited broad spectrum antifungal activity against human pathogenic fungi with mics against candida spp., cryptococcus ...19957797434
improved detection of cryptococcus neoformans in the bactec nr 660 blood culture system.to determine the impact of continuous agitation versus 24 hours agitation on the growth of cryptococcus neoformans in the bactec nr 660 blood culture system, the authors compared recovery and detection time for 50 clinical isolates in peds plus, 26 plus, and fungal medium bottles in paired simulated blood cultures. after 144 hours of continuous agitation, the peds plus bottle detected 96% of the isolates in an average of 82.5 hours, the 26 plus bottle detected 96% in 79.5 hours, and the fungal m ...19947801886
fluconazole combined with flucytosine for treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in patients with aids.treatment of cryptococcal meningitis with amphotericin b or fluconazole is often unsuccessful; in only 35%-40% of cases do csf cultures become negative by 10 weeks after initiation of such therapy. we conducted a prospective, open-label clinical trial involving persons with aids to determine whether the rate of clinical success would improve when fluconazole (400 mg daily) was combined with flucytosine (150 mg/kg daily). at the conclusion of 10 weeks of therapy, 75% (95% confidence interval, 58% ...19947803641
interleukin 12 is effective treatment for an established systemic intracellular infection: experimental visceral leishmaniasis.when administered at or near the initiation of experimental intracellular infection caused by leishmania major, toxoplasma gondii, or cryptococcus neoformans, treatment with the immuno-regulatory cytokine interleukin 12 (il-12), induces protective antimicrobial activity. in contrast, once infections are established, il-12 exerts considerably less or no effect in the face of a suppressive th2 cell-associated response (l. major) or rapidly progressive fatal infection (t. gondii). to test the effic ...19957807019
protective and nonprotective monoclonal antibodies to cryptococcus neoformans originating from one b cell.two immunoglobulin m monoclonal antibodies (mabs) derived from the same b cell recognize different epitopes on the capsular polysaccharide of the pathogenic yeast, cryptococcus neoformans. their respective epitopes are located in spatially distinct regions of the capsule. passive administration of one mab prolonged survival whereas the other mab did not. the results indicate that specificity is an important determinant of antibody efficacy against c. neoformans and that somatic mutations occurri ...19957807020
hamacanthins a and b, new antifungal bis indole alkaloids from the deep-water marine sponge, hamacantha sp.hamacanthin a [1] and hamacanthin b [2] are two bioactive dihydropyrazinonediylbis(indole) alkaloids isolated from a new species of deep-water marine sponge, hamacantha sp. the hamacanthins are growth inhibitors of candida albicans and cryptococcus neoformans. isolation and structure elucidation of 1 and 2 by nmr spectroscopy are described.19947807127
the eiken latex test for detection of a cryptococcal antigen in cryptococcosis. comparison with a monoclonal antibody-based latex agglutination test, pastorex cryptococcus.a latex agglutination test for cryptococcal antigen, the eiken latex test (eiken, tokyo, japan), was compared with a monoclonal antibody-based agglutination assay, pastorex cryptococcus (diagnostics pasteur, marneur-la-coquette, france). in a murine model of disseminated cryptococcosis, the kinetics of the antigen titers by the eiken latex were similar to those by the pastorex cryptococcus, but sensitivity was much higher. in hiv-negative patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis, a cryptococcal an ...19947808506
in vitro synergism of concentrated allium sativum extract and amphotericin b against cryptococcus neoformans.allium sativum (garlic) derived preparations are used alone or with amphotericin b in asia to treat human systemic fungal infections and cryptococcal meningitis. to evaluate the scientific merit of using allicin-derived compounds as an anti-fungal drug, we prepared a concentrated a. sativum extract that contained 34% allicin, 44% total thiosulfinates, and 20% vinyldithiins. we found that the concentrated extract possessed potent in vitro fungistatic and fungicidal activity against 3 different is ...19947809209
sterol composition of cryptococcus neoformans in the presence and absence of fluconazole.analysis of the sterol compositions of 13 clinical isolates of the pathogenic yeast cryptococcus neoformans obtained from five patients with recurring cryptococcal meningitis showed that, unlike candida albicans, the major sterols synthesized by this yeast were obtusifoliol (range, 21.1 to 68.2%) and ergosterol (range, 0.0 to 46.5%). there was considerable variation in the sterol contents among the 13 isolates, with total sterol contents ranging from 0.31 to 5.9% of dry weight. the isolates from ...19947811014
effect of macrophage colony-stimulating factor on anticryptococcal activity of bronchoalveolar macrophages: synergy with fluconazole for killing.the anticryptococcal activity of murine bronchoalveolar macrophages (bam) and their synergy with fluconazole (fcz) was studied. bam cultured with tissue culture medium for 48 to 72 h were fungicidal (24 to 39%) in a 3-h killing assay. however, net killing of cryptococcus neoformans did not continue when culture time was extended to 24 h, although bam were fungistatic (88 to 98%). treatment with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (m-csf; 5,000 u/ml, 48 h) did not significantly increase bam kill ...19947811035
effect of in vivo macrophage colony-stimulating factor on fungistasis of bronchoalveolar and peritoneal macrophages against cryptococcus neoformans.macrophage colony-stimulating factor (m-csf) given subcutaneously at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg of body weight (4.75 x 10(6) u/kg) to cd-1 male mice 8 to 12 weeks old was found to enhance significantly the fungistasis of bronchoalveolar macrophages (bam) against cryptococcus neoformans. when m-csf was given 1, 3, 7, 9, or 13 days before an ex vivo challenge with c. neoformans, fungistasis was increased (p ranged from < 0.05 to < 0.001) compared with that induced by control bam. a maximum effect was see ...19947811036
molecular typing of cryptococcus neoformans serotype d clinical isolates.cryptococcus neoformans serotype a is responsible for the majority of cryptococcal infections in aids patients. in france, approximately 17% of the patients are infected with serotype d, regardless of their human immunodeficiency virus status. in a retrospective study of 273 patients, we found that serotype d was unevenly distributed in france. we wondered if this was related to the yeast's genetic background. we used karyotyping and dna fingerprints generated by ut-4p to analyze 40 serotype d c ...19947814467
comparative study of broth macrodilution and microdilution techniques for in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of yeasts by using the national committee for clinical laboratory standards' proposed standard.a comparative study of broth macro- and microdilution methods for susceptibility testing of fluconazole, itraconazole, flucytosine, and amphotericin b was conducted with 273 yeasts. the clinical isolates included 100 candida albicans, 28 candida tropicalis, 25 candida parapsilosis, 15 candida lusitaniae, 15 candida krusei, 50 cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, 25 torulopsis (candida) glabrata, and 15 trichosporon beigelii strains. both methods were performed according to the national commi ...19947814488
elimination of false-positive serum reactivity in latex agglutination test for cryptococcal antigen in human immunodeficiency virus-infected population.we recently tested serum from a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient for the presence of cryptococcal antigen using the meridian latex agglutination (la) test (cryptococcal antigen latex agglutination system). two pronase-treated serum specimens from the patient had la titers of 80 and 160, but the patient had no evidence of cryptococcal disease. the serum was negative for rheumatoid factor, a well-documented cause of false-positive la reactions. seven blood culture supernatants from th ...19947814540
effect of potential interference factors on performance of enzyme immunoassay and latex agglutination assay for cryptococcal antigen.the premier cryptococcal antigen enzyme immunoassay (meridian diagnostics) did not give discrepant results with rheumatoid factor, syneresis fluid, or serum macroglobulins from systemic lupus erythematosis patients. the cryptococcal antigen latex agglutination system (meridian diagnostics) did cross-react with syneresis fluid but not with the other serum factors tested.19947814565
evaluation of new monoclonal antibody-based latex agglutination test for detection of cryptococcal polysaccharide antigen in serum and cerebrospinal fluid.we evaluated the performance of crypto-lex (trinity laboratories, inc., raleigh, n. c.), a new mouse immunoglobulin m monoclonal antibody latex agglutination reagent which reacts with the capsular polysaccharide of the four serogroups of cryptococcus neoformans. this test was compared with calas (meridian diagnostics, cincinnati, ohio) for the ability to detect cryptococcal antigen in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (csf). a total of 580 clinical specimens (327 serum and 253 csf samples), primaril ...19947814566
rapid method for detection of aspergillus 5s ribosomal rna using a genus-specific oligonucleotide probe.ribosomal rna (rrna) is present in all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. although sequences are conserved, variations in nucleic acid composition are known to be species specific. formalin or bouin's fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 17 cases of culture proven aspergillus sp infections were studied by a rapid (< 30 minutes) in situ hybridization procedure using a biotinylated oligonucleotide dna probe complementary to nucleic acids 1-22 of aspergillus sp 5s rrna sequence. positivity ...19957817944
[human protothecosis and environment].protothecosis are uncommon infections caused by prototheca, considered to be achlorophylous algae. nearly 80 human cases are reported in the literature since the first case described by davies and wakelin in 1964 in sierra leone (11). the disease have been identified in europe, asia (japan, thailand, china), oceania and in the united states with 40 cases, particularly in the southeast. clinically, three clinical manifestations can be observed: 1) cutaneous lesions: papules, plaques or eczematoid ...19937819807
cloning, expression and characterization of thymidylate synthase from cryptococcus neoformans.the thymidylate synthase (ts)-encoding gene from cryptococcus neoformans (cn) has been isolated from cdna and genomic libraries. the 1127-bp gene contains three introns and a 951-bp open reading frame encoding a 35,844-da protein. the cdna clones lack 324 bp of the 5' coding region of the gene. the complete coding sequence was assembled as an expression cassette in puc19 using parts of the coding sequence from the cdna and genomic dna and completing the sequence using synthetic dna. production o ...19947821787
antibodies to cryptococcus neoformans glucuronoxylomannan enhance antifungal activity of murine macrophages.monoclonal antibodies (mabs) to the capsular polysaccharide of the pathogenic fungus cryptococcus neoformans can prolong survival and decrease organ fungal burden in experimental murine cryptococcosis. to investigate the mechanism of antibody-mediated protection, the interaction of c. neoformans and murine macrophage-like j774.16 cells was studied in the presence and absence of mabs differing in isotype. immunoglobulin g2a (igg2a) and igg2b isotype switch variants were isolated from an igm hybri ...19957822024
specific detection of aspergillus and penicillium species from respiratory specimens by polymerase chain reaction (pcr).a polymerase chain reaction (pcr) method capable of detecting both aspergillus fumigatus infections, pulmonary non-fumigatus aspergillus species (spp.) and penicillium spp. from clinical specimens was established. the primer pair was designed on the basis of the sequence of the 18s-ribosomal rna gene of a. fumigatus and p. notatum. a 385 bp product was successfully amplified by this pcr method from all of 12 medically important aspergillus spp. and penicillium spp. (38 strains), but not from hum ...19947823410
enhancement of hiv type 1 infectivity in vitro by capsular polysaccharide of cryptococcus neoformans and haemophilus influenzae.high concentrations of the cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide (ccp) are present in the serum, cerebrospinal fluid or both in the majority of aids patients infected with cryptococcus neoformans. because the prognosis of aids patients infected with cryptococcus is poor, we investigated whether the presence of ccp enhanced hiv-1 infection. the presence of ccp markedly increased the infectivity of hiv-1-infected h9 cells and subsequent production of infectious hiv-1 and formation of syncytia. in a ...19947826695
pre-antibiotic treatments spur modern fungal infection research. 19947826836
isotype switching from igg3 to igg1 converts a nonprotective murine antibody to cryptococcus neoformans into a protective antibody.passively administered mabs to cryptococcus neoformans capsular polysaccharide can alter the course of infection in mouse models. in preliminary studies of passive ab efficacy, most igm, iga, and igg1 mabs were protective, but the few igg3 mabs tested did not confer significant protection. because igg3 is effective in pneumococcal infections, this phenomenon was examined more rigorously by generating an igg1 switch variant from the non-protective igg3 mab 3e5 and comparing its protective efficac ...19957836766
strains of cryptococcus neoformans with defined capsular phenotypes.the polysaccharide capsule is a virulence factor in the opportunistic yeast pathogen, cryptococcus neoformans. we describe a collection of strains which were isolated or constructed to exhibit defined capsular phenotypes. the collection includes strains with wild-type, acapsular and hypercapsular traits.19947844706
cutaneous cryptococcosis with molluscum contagiosum coinfection in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.we report the first patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in whom molluscum contagiosum and cryptococcus neoformans were documented in the same cutaneous lesion. while cases of the co-occurrence of two pathologic entities in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome have been reported, namely cytomegalovirus with herpes simplex virus and kaposi's sarcoma with histoplasma capsulatum, the findings in this patient are unique. the clinical presentation of cutaneous lesions caused by ...19947851129
[one hundred years of cryptococcosis. medical mycology in the 19th century in greifswald].not later than 1842 medico-mycological investigations began at greifswald in germany following the appointment of wilhelm baum (1799-1883) to the chair of surgery at the university. this is indicated by some theses as well as by the discovery of the contagious characteristics of pityriasis versicolor by carl ferdinand eichstedt (1816-1892) who found a fungus as the cause (1846), which was named microsporon furfur later (c. robin 1853). in 1868 the physician (karl) friedrich mosler (1831-1911) pu ...19947854363
[pathogenesis, immunobiology and epidemiology of cryptococcosis].cryptococcus neoformans is taken up by the human host via the respiratory tract. the polysaccharide capsule is regarded as the pathogenetic principle inhibiting phagocytosis of the fungus by cells of the unspecific host defense. unspecific opsonization of cr. n. by early phase proteins causes a rapid and successful elimination in the non-compromised host. in case of non-elimination the presence of cr. n. capsule antigen in excess results in a downregulation of antibody formation thereby inhibiti ...19947854364
cellulitis as first clinical presentation of disseminated cryptococcosis in renal transplant recipients.two renal transplant recipients with cellulitis due to cryptococcus neoformans are described. the patients were treated empirically for a presumed bacterial erysipelas, but without response. examination of skin biopsies revealed c. neoformans as the causative organism. in both patients the cellulitis was the presenting clinical manifestation of disseminated cryptococcosis. therapy with antifungal agents was successful. disseminated cryptococcal disease occurs mainly in immunocompromised patients ...19947855562
[experimental and clinical study on pneumocystosis. iii. development and characterization of monoclonal antibody against pneumocystis carinii].balb/c mice were repeatedly inoculated subcutaneously with purified rat source pneumocystis carinii (p.c.) cysts. six weeks later, the spleen cells were fused with ns1 myeloma cells, and a mouse hybridoma producing monoclonal antibody against p.c. was established and cloned, which was named as 4d7 mcab. its mean of chromosome was 82. the 4d7 mcab was shown to be igg1 subclass. it reacted mainly with 54 kda polypeptide of p.c. in eitb. 4d7 mcab could clearly recognize p.c. by immunohistochemical ...19947867153
evaluation of 80% inhibition standards for the determination of fluconazole minimum inhibitory concentrations in three laboratories.the purpose of this study was to evaluate 1:5 growth control dilutions (80% inhibition standards) to determine fluconazole minimum inhibitory concentration (mic) end points in three laboratories. we tested 39 selected candida species (in vitro susceptible: fluconazole mic of < or = 1 microgram/ml, and resistant: fluconazole mic of > or = 8 micrograms/ml) and cryptococcus neoformans isolates by broth macro- and microdilution procedures following the national committee for clinical laboratory stan ...19947867309
comparison of fluconazole minimum inhibitory concentrations in three different formulations of rpmi-1640.this study aimed to compare the susceptibilities of fluconazole, obtained in two laboratories, using three rpmi-1640 formulations (manufacturers') and inhibition standards (80%). a total of 39 selected candida species (in vitro susceptible and resistant) and cryptococcus neoformans isolates were tested in each medium by broth macro- and microdilution procedures following the national committee for clinical laboratory standards proposed reference method (m27-p). macrodilution minimum inhibitory c ...19947867310
intravascular cryptococcal culture filtrate (cnef) and its major component, glucuronoxylomannan, are potent inhibitors of leukocyte accumulation.disseminated cryptococcosis is characterized by high titers of cryptococcal polysaccharides in serum and minimal cellular infiltrates in infected tissues of patients. the main objective of this study was to determine whether the circulating cryptococcal polysaccharides could contribute to the lack of cellular infiltration into infected tissues. to assess this possibility, a gelatin sponge implantation model was used. we found that intravenous (i.v.) injection of mice with cryptococcal culture fi ...19957868246
disseminated cryptococcosis presenting as molluscum-like lesions in three male patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.cryptococcosis is an opportunistic infection caused by a ubiquitous encapsulated yeast, cryptococcus neoformans. the pulmonary infection is primary site and most frequently self-limited and may be asymptomatic. the most common recognized site of disseminated cryptococcosis is the central nervous system. the cutaneous cryptococcosis is rare and nonspecific. more recently, in patients with aids, some cases of cutaneous cryptococcosis resembling molluscum contagiosum have been described and occasio ...19947869019
growth of cryptococcus neoformans in presence of l-dopa decreases its susceptibility to amphotericin b.cryptococcus neoformans grown with l-dopa was melanized and was less susceptible to amphotericin b. the results suggest that in vivo and in vitro susceptibilities to amphotericin b may differ.19947872761
epidemiology studies of clinical isolates of cryptococcus neoformans of japan by restriction fragment length polymorphism.previous epidemiological studies of cryptococcus neoformans infection in japan showed that only c. neoformans var. neoformans is present and serotype a is the most common with frequencies in excess of 95%. a dna fingerprinting method, using a genomic dna probe (ut-4p), has become available recently which discriminates between individual isolates in a population that are morphologically and serologically indistinguishable. fifty-two serotype a isolates of c. neoformans were obtained from three di ...19947876673
antibodies to the cryptococcus neoformans capsular glucuronoxylomannan are ubiquitous in serum from hiv+ and hiv- individuals.murine moabs to the cryptococcus neoformans capsular glucuronoxylomannan (gxm) polysaccharide are protective in mice in vivo and in vitro. the prevalence of protective anti-gxm antibodies in human serum is unknown. to provide further insight into the human antibody response to c. neoformans we determined the prevalence, isotype, and igg subclass utilization of human anti-gxm antibodies in hiv+ and hiv- sera by a sensitive antigen capture flisa assay. one hundred and twenty-three sera from the br ...19957882565
misidentification of clinical yeast isolates by using the updated vitek yeast biochemical card.the vitek yeast biochemical card (ybc) is widely used as a rapid identification (ri) (within 48 h) system for clinical yeast isolates. we compared the ri results obtained by the ybc technique with matched results obtained with the api 20c system. the ri of germ tube-negative yeasts isolated from 222 clinical specimens was performed with the ybc system, and the results were compared with those of standard identifications obtained by using the api 20c system and morphology, with additional biochem ...19947883873
bacterial meningitis in developing countries.hemophilus influenza, streptococcus pneumoniae, and neisseria meningitidis account for over 75% of all cases of bacterial meningitis. s. pneumoniae is the commonest causative organism in many developing countries, particularly in africa. in developing countries overall case fatality rates of 33-44% have been reported, rising to over 60% in adult groups. s. pneumoniae accounts for the highest mortality worldwide. sequela rates of 22-26% of survivors have been found in african studies, mostly of a ...19957886841
estimation of the prevalence of cryptococcal infection among patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus in new york city.cryptococcal infections are not reportable illnesses, and there have been limited attempts to estimate their incidence or prevalence. this study estimates the prevalence of cryptococcal disease in new york city in 1991 among human immunodeficiency virus (hiv)-infected patients who were at risk. numerator data were generated by surveying all hospitals in new york city to determine the number of patients with cultures positive for cryptococcus neoformans as well as the number of patients with posi ...19947888529
molecular pathogenesis of fungal infections. 19947889319
biomolecular events involved in anticryptococcal resistance in the brain.we have recently shown that intracerebral (i.c.) administration of heat-killed cryptococcus neoformans (hcn) enhances mouse resistance to a subsequent local challenge with lethal doses of viable yeast cells. here we show that i.c. administration of hcn is also effective in significantly delaying brain colonization of mice intravenously infected with viable c. neoformans. pcr analysis revealed that interleukin 6 (il-6) and il-1 beta gene expression occurs in brain of hcn-treated mice but not in b ...19957890375
management of injuries caused by cryptococcus neoformans--contaminated needles.this report describes four skin-puncture accidents with needles that were heavily contaminated with cryptococcus neoformans. in one accident, delayed administration of antifungal drugs resulted in a granuloma of the finger. in the other three accidents, no skin infection followed immediate prophylaxis with oral fluconazole. our experience suggests that early therapy with fluconazole is a reasonable means of managing skin injuries caused by instruments contaminated with viable c. neoformans.19947893887
increased fluconazole resistance of cryptococcus neoformans isolated from a patient with aids and recurrent meningitis. 19947893896
prostatic sequestration of cryptococcus neoformans in immunocompromised persons treated for cryptococcal meningoencephalitis.we report a case of a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome who was successfully treated for cryptococcal meningoencephalitis with amphotericin b and 5-flucytosine. he died from other sequelae of acquired immune deficiency syndrome two years later. an autopsy revealed prominent cryptococcal prostatitis. cryptococci were neither found in the central nervous system nor in other anatomic sites. the autopsy files yielded seven other cases of men with a history of cryptococcal meningoencep ...19947894136
influence of molecular sizes of cryptococcus neoformans capsular polysaccharide on phagocytosis.the role of capsular polysaccharides (cps) of cryptococcus neoformans in phagocytosis by murine alveolar macrophages was investigated in four strains of c. neoformans serotype a, yc-11, yc-5, yc-27 and yc-13. phagocytosis rates increased markedly after adding 10% mouse serum, compared to fetal calf serum. the reverse relation between capsular thickness of c. neoformans and phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages was observed except in yc-27, which had thin capsules and high virulence. the phagocyto ...19947898383
a t cell-independent protective host response against cryptococcus neoformans expressed at the primary site of infection in the lung.t cell-independent host resistance expressed against a primary lung infection with cryptococcus neoformans was investigated. following intratracheal inoculation of the yeast, balb/cby scid/scid mice or cd4+ plus cd8+ t cell-depleted balb/cby mice developed a primary lung infection that remained stable for several weeks before progressing and disseminating to kill the host. by contrast, normal balb/cby hosts resolved the infection after 4 to 8 weeks. thy+ cd4- cd8- cells were found to accumulate ...19937901167
the role of cd4+ and cd8+ t cells in the protective inflammatory response to a pulmonary cryptococcal infection.moderately virulent strains of cryptococcus neoformans, inoculated via the trachea, cause a pulmonary infection in balb/c mice that was gradually resolved by t lymphocyte-dependent mechanisms. the current studies, using monoclonal antibodies to deplete t cell subsets, demonstrated that cd4+ and cd8+ t cells combined to mediate a prominent pulmonary inflammatory infiltrate that included lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils. the inflammatory response peaked 2 weeks after infectio ...19947904293
cd4+ t cell-dependent acquired state of immunity that protects the brain against cryptococcus neoformans.in immunodeficient hosts, a failure in defense mechanisms allows cryptococcus neoformans to establish foci of infection in the brain. immune and nonspecific responses in the primary site of infection in the lung have been described, but those extrapulmonary defense mechanisms that can be mobilized against the yeast have received little attention. this paper describes a response expressed against yeast in the brain of immunocompetent hosts, a response that is weakened in hosts deficient in cd4+ t ...19947907637
activation of macrophages and expansion of specific t lymphocytes in the lungs of mice intratracheally inoculated with cryptococcus neoformans.a quantitative and qualitative change in inflammatory cells in the lungs of mice after intratracheal inoculation of heat-killed cryptococcus neoformans was examined by direct analysis of the pulmonary intraparenchymal leucocytes. macrophages and t and b lymphocytes increased, peaked at day 7, and then gradually decreased to the basal level. macrophages were activated 7 days after the inoculation, as indicated by the enhanced expression of mhc class ii, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (icam-1) ...19947910533
cytokine treatment of central nervous system infection: efficacy of interleukin-12 alone and synergy with conventional antifungal therapy in experimental cryptococcosis.cell-mediated immune responses appear to be critical in the outcome of cryptococcosis. interleukin-12 (il-12) was studied for its potential use as a therapeutic agent because of its stimulation of natural killer cells and gamma interferon production by stimulated t cells and natural killer cells. gamma interferon-activated macrophages are important in host resistance against cryptococcosis. in two separate studies, male balb/c mice were infected intravenously with cryptococcus neoformans. in the ...19947911289
regulation of cytokine production during the expression phase of the anticryptococcal delayed-type hypersensitivity response.effects of both positive and negative regulatory t cells on cellular infiltration and cytokine production during the expression phase of the anticryptococcal immune response were examined. tamp cells, which are induced by cryptococcal antigen, significantly amplify the anticryptococcal delayed-type hypersensitivity response, whereas a cascade of t suppressor (ts) cells inhibits the response and decreases the clearance of cryptococcus neoformans during an infection. by using the gelatin sponge im ...19947911788
restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of cryptococcus neoformans isolates from environmental (pigeon excreta) and clinical sources in new york city.restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of environmental (pigeon excreta) and clinical cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans isolates in a limited geographic area distinguished 6 strains among 8 environmental isolates and 12 strains among 17 clinical isolates. clusters of patients with three strains types accounted for 47% of clinical isolates. despite this diversity, two strains were shared by environmental and clinical isolates.19947914203
[ct-morphologic aspects of the liver in patients with hiv infection].ct examinations of the liver in hiv-infected patients show more frequent pathological findings. the extended spectrum of differential diagnosis and atypical manifestations of disorders in immunodeficient patients needs to be considered in the interpretation of ct scans. difficulties in the differential diagnosis of focal hepatic lesions in hiv-infected patients are demonstrated in the following. besides the relatively common findings in hiv-infection such as hepato-or hepatosplenomegalia, lympho ...19947918707
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and its ocular complications.human immunodeficiency virus infection is the first major pandemic of the 20th century. at present, almost 10 million people are known to be infected with this virus, and it is estimated that by the year 2000, approximately 40 million people will be infected. transmission of this deadly infection is predominantly by sexual contact. individuals infected with this virus pass through several predictable stages with progressive decrease in circulating cd4+ t cells. during the advanced stage, these p ...19947927632
pathogenesis of pulmonary cryptococcus neoformans infection in the rat.the pathogenesis of cryptococcus neoformans pulmonary infection in the rat was studied after intratracheal inoculation. lungs were examined at various times following infection for histopathology in conjunction with macrophage markers, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (pcna), and capsular glucuronoxylomannan (gxm) antigen. serum gxm, immunoglobulin m (igm) and igg titers and organ fungal burden were compared with pathological findings. c. neoformans organisms were in the lung parenchyma 2 h po ...19947927751
effect of pentamidine on the growth of cryptococcus neoformans. 19947928817
comparison of commercial kits for detection of cryptococcal antigen.although kits to detect cryptococcal antigen are used widely to diagnose cryptococcal infection, the comparative performance of commercially available assays has not been evaluated in the past decade. therefore, we compared the sensitives and specificities of five commercially available kits for detecting cryptococcal antigen (four latex agglutination test kits--calas [meridian diagnostics])--crypto-la [international biological labs], myco-immune [microscan], and immy [immunomycologics]--and an ...19947929757
therapy of experimental meningeal and disseminated cryptococcosis.this study evaluated the efficacy of itraconazole, a broad-spectrum triazole antifungal drug, which has previously been demonstrated to exhibit activity against candida albicans c. krusei, c. glabrata, aspergillus, histoplasma and blastomyces as a potential treatment for cryptococcosis. the susceptibility of 62 strains of cryptococcus neoformans was tested in vitro. all strains were inhibited by itraconazole 0.1 microgram ml-1. itraconazole was fungicidal after replenishment at a concentration t ...19937935566
evaluation of the albicans idr plate method for the rapid identification of candida albicans.albicans idr is a ready-to-use medium containing a hexosaminic substrate that allows rapid and specific identification of candida albicans. in this study, we have evaluated its performance using 330 pure cultures of yeast strains previously identified by conventional mycological methods. the test correctly identified all the candida albicans strains tested (186 isolates), but there were 28 false-positive reactions after 48 h of culture incubation. the false-positive isolates corresponded to the ...19937935574
cutaneous cryptococcosis in aids: successful treatment with itraconazole.a case of cutaneous cryptococcosis in a hiv-positive 46-year-old farmer is presented. the situation could be cured by applying itraconazole 400 mg day-1 for 45 days.19937935578
incidence of cryptococcosis in and around chandigarh, india, during the period 1982-91.the incidence of cryptococcosis was evaluated in and around chandigarh, india over a period of 10 years (1982-91). different species of cryptococcus were isolated from 38 patients. cryptococcus neoformans was the predominant isolate (26 = 68%) followed by cr. albidus (2), cr. laurentii (1) and not precisely identified cryptococcus species (9 = 24%). serotyping of the 18 isolates of cr. neoformans revealed that 13 (72%) were serotype a, two (11%) were serotype ad and three (17%) were serotype b ( ...19947935587
comparison of in vitro antifungal activity of itraconazole and hydroxy-itraconazole by colorimetric mtt assay.the in vitro antifungal activities of itraconazole and its active hydroxyl metabolite, hydroxy-itraconazole (r 63372), against aspergillus fumigatus, candida albicans and cryptococcus neoformans were compared by visual assessment of growth as well as by colorimetric mtt [3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2h tetrazolium bromide] assay using microtitre plates containing four different media. minimum inhibitory concentration (mic) end points determined by the colorimetric mtt assay correlat ...19947935588
clinico-pathological studies on experimental cryptococcal mastitis in goats.unilateral intramammary inoculation of 10 goats with cryptococcus neoformans (2 x 10(6) yeast cells) resulted in the development of mastitis, with gross and microscopic lesions being restricted to the infected udder halves only and there was no dissemination of infection to the opposite uninfected udder halves as well as to other organs of the body. the experiment was continued for 40 days, with 2 animals each from the infected and control groups being killed on 5th, 10th, 20th, 30th and 40th da ...19947935729
cryptococcal meningitis with malaria. a case report.cryptococcal meningitis is an uncommon infection globally, including nigeria. this systemic fungal infection often is associated with immunodeficiency. the most common causes of meningitis in nigeria in the 2-3 year age group are the malaria parasites and bacteria. the concomitant infections of cryptococcal neoformans and plasmodium falciparum are uncommon. we present here the report of a case of fatal cryptococcal meningitis with malaria infection in a 2 year old child from nigeria (one of the ...19947935735
[cryptococcal meningitis in patients without predisposing immunodeficiency].cryptococcal meningitis is a chronic or subacute meningeal infection that may have pulmonary or systemic manifestations and is caused by the yeast cryptococcus neoformans. it has become an increasingly important pathogen in immunocompromised hosts, whereas cryptococcal meningitis is relatively rare in immunocompetent patients. the diagnosis is often delayed because of the sparse and nonspecific symptoms. we present two cases of cryptococcal meningitis in two patients without known predisposing f ...19947941090
clinical aspects of fungal infection in organ transplant recipients.fungal infections following solid organ transplantation remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. candida species and aspergillus fumigatus continue to account for the majority of these infections, although the attack rate is higher among recipients of organs other than kidneys because those patients receive more immunosuppressive therapy. although amphotericin b remains the drug of choice for treatment of invasive aspergillosis, its toxicity profile limits its widespread use. recent expe ...19947948569
[cryptococcal chorioretinitis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: apropos of a case].a patient with acquired immune deficiency and antecedents of pancreatitis presented with headaches, fever, dyspnea and bilateral decrease of vision. a diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcosis was made by lumbar puncture, alveolar washing and elevated cryptococcal antigen in blood, urine and stool. bilateral chorioretinitis with ischaemic maculopathy was responsible of the low vision and attributed to cryptococcal infection after vitreous puncture and isolation of yeast from the vitreous. systemi ...19937952365
formation of a minichromosome in cryptococcus neoformans as a result of electroporative transformation.a minichromosome of approximately 270 kilobases was generated following complementation of a ura5 mutant strain of c. neoformans with the plasmid pura5g2. this is the first report of the in-vivo generation of a minichromosome by the method of electroporative transformation. the minichromosome occurred at a relatively high (> 20%) frequency in transformants that were stable for uracil protoprophy. the minichromosome was maintained in linear form as a large extrachromosomal element of the normal k ...19947954897
synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a novel antifungal agent, azoxybacilin.a new antifungal substance, azoxybacilin (an unusual amino acid with an azoxy moiety) and its derivatives have been synthesized from boc-l-asp-otbu utilizing the moss procedure for the preparation of the azoxy moiety. the ester derivative, ro 09-1824, showed more potent antifungal activity and a broader antifungal spectrum than azoxybacilin did.19947954924
encapsulation of cryptococcus neoformans regulates fungicidal activity and the antigen presentation process in human alveolar macrophages.our previous studies have shown that unstimulated alveolar macrophages (am) play a predominant role as antigen-presenting cells in cryptococcus neoformans infections, while the function as effector cells seems to be of minor relevance. the present study focuses on the role of encapsulation of c. neoformans on fungicidal activity and the antigen presentation process of am. fungicidal activity in unstimulated am occurs to a higher degree when the acapsular strain is employed, but this is impaired ...19947955525
[a case of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, which damaged the medial part of the temporal lobe and caused gradually progressing memory disturbance].a 71-year-old female was admitted to the national cardiovascular center, complaining of memory disturbance that had been gradually worsening for about two years. neurologically, except for the memory disturbance, higher brain functions were almost normal and there were no signs of meningeal irritation. a cerebrospinal fluid examination showed lymphocytic dominant pleocytosis, elevated protein levels and decreased glucose levels. furthermore, cryptococcus neoformans was detected in the cerebrospi ...19947955721
resistance to amphotericin b associated with defective sterol delta 8-->7 isomerase in a cryptococcus neoformans strain from an aids patient.two cryptococcus neoformans strains isolated from an aids patient were investigated, a pretreatment isolate (cn1) and a second isolate (cn3) following failure of fluconazole and amphotericin b treatment. no difference in fluconazole sensitivity, but relative resistance to amphotericin b was observed for cn3. the sterol composition of cn3 indicated a defect in sterol delta 8-->7 isomerase in this strain and depletion of ergosterol, the major sterol of the cn1.19947958776
genetic study of oxygen resistance and melanization in cryptococcus neoformans.genetic analysis of oxygen-sensitive mutants of cryptococcus neoformans revealed two loci (oxy1 and oxy2) linking hyperoxia sensitivity to production of melanin, a known virulence factor. hyperoxia-sensitive strain 562 (oxy1 oxy2) is albino and avirulent. oxy2-defective strains lacking the oxy1 defect are melanin deficient but show normal hyperoxia resistance. mutants defective at three additional mapped melanin loci fail to show hyperoxia sensitivity in the oxy1 background. revertants of strain ...19947960156
the postantibiotic effect of antifungal agents against common pathogenic yeasts.a total of ten strains of candida spp. and cryptococcus neoformans were examined for the presence of the postantibiotic effect (pae) after 0.5-2 h exposure to amphotericin b, 5-fluorocytosine, miconazole and ketoconazole. significant paes were observed for amphotericin b and 5-fluorocytosine, but none for the imidazoles. the duration of the paes of amphotericin b ranged from 0.5-10.4 h for the candida spp. and 2.8-10.6 h for the cryptococcos, while 5-fluorocytosine induced paes from 0.8-7.4 h an ...19947961219
in vivo activity of interferon-gamma in combination with amphotericin b in the treatment of experimental cryptococcosis.the effect of recombinant interferon-gamma (rifn-gamma) on cryptococcus neoformans infection was investigated in vivo. balb/c mice were injected intravenously with 2 x 10(6) c. neoformans. rifn-gamma alone (10 micrograms intraperitoneally 18 h before, at, 24 h after infection) significantly increased the survival and decreased the colony-forming unit counts in the lungs compared with untreated mice. rifn-gamma association significantly enhanced the effect of a single dose of amphotericin b (0.25 ...19947963740
multiple functions of nitric oxide in pathophysiology and microbiology: analysis by a new nitric oxide scavenger.a wide range of biological functions of nitric oxide (no) was analyzed using a newly discovered nitric oxide scavenger, 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolineoxyl-1-oxyl-3-oxide (ptio) or its water-soluble derivative carboxy-ptio. the chemistry is very simple in that no was oxidized by ptio, yielding one mole each of no2 and 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl. based on the potent no-scavenging activity of ptio derivatives, the diverse functions of no under physiological states as we ...19947964166
cryptococcal infection of a prosthetic dialysis fistula.fungal infections of prosthetic dialysis fistulae are rare. we report the first case of infection of a polytetrafluoroethylene dialysis access graft with the yeast cryptococcus neoformans. therapy with antifungal agents alone failed to cure the infection and significant improvement was observed only when all prosthetic material was surgically removed. this case emphasizes the potential for fungal infection of prosthetic dialysis fistulae and the importance of removal of intravascular foreign mat ...19947977331
mouse-human immunoglobulin g1 chimeric antibodies with activities against cryptococcus neoformans.passive antibody administration is a potentially useful approach for the therapy of human cryptococcus neoformans infections. to evaluate the efficacy of the human immunoglobulin g1 (igg1) constant region against c. neoformans and to construct murine antibody derivatives with reduced immunogenicities and longer half-lives in humans, two mouse-human igg1 chimeric antibodies were generated from the protective murine monoclonal antibodies 2d10 (igm) and 18b7 (igg1). the 2d10 mouse-human igg1 chimer ...19947979280
synergism between the antifungal agents amphotericin b and alkyl glycerol ethers.the alkyl glycerol ether rac-1-o-dodecylglycerol inhibited the growth of members of two genera of yeasts, candida and cryptococcus, and was strongly synergistic with amphotericin b. at one-half its mic, dodecylglycerol decreased the mic of amphotericin b by as much as 80-fold. this high degree of synergism between dodecylglycerol and amphotericin b was demonstrated against a number of species of yeasts including candida albicans, candida tropicalis, candida parapsilosis, cryptococcus neoformans, ...19947979283
comparison of broth dilution and semisolid agar dilution for in vitro susceptibility testing of cryptococcus neoformans.we compared the in vitro activity of amphotericin b, flucytosine, itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole and miconazole against 18 strains of cryptococcus neoformans by using two methods: microbroth dilution and semisolid agar dilution. by both of the methods minimum inhibitory concentrations (mics) showed a wide range for all antifungal agents but not for amphotericin b. statistically significant differences between the two methods were observed only with amphotericin b and flucytosine, p = 0. ...19947983499
melanin-deficient mutants of cryptococcus neoformans.cryptococcus neoformans is a significant fungal pathogen in immunocompromised patients. the ability of c. neoformans to produce melanin has been correlated with virulence. the role of melanin in promoting virulence is unclear, although an anti-oxidant function has been suggested. to begin to define the genetic mechanisms responsible for melanin production in c. neoformans, we describe the isolation of seven melanin-deficient mutant classes. some of the mutants can be suppressed by addition of cu ...19947983575
cryptococcus neoformans vertebral osteomyelitis.a 67-year-old previously healthy woman presented with low back pain of 2 months duration and daily fever of 39 degrees c for 3 weeks. ct scan showed a lytic lesion in the third lumbar vertebra and a small right lower lobe lung infiltrate with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. culture of material obtained from open biopsy of the vertebra grew cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, which was also demonstrated on histology. cryptococcal antigen was detected in the patient's serum. treatment with ampho ...19947983576
the continuing utility of bronchoalveolar lavage to diagnose opportunistic infection in aids patients.to determine whether bronchoalveolar lavage (bal) remains a useful technique in assessing human immunodeficiency virus (hiv)-infected patients with pulmonary symptoms.19947985710
decreased susceptibility of melanized cryptococcus neoformans to uv light.melanized cryptococcus neoformans cells were less susceptible than nonmelanized cells to the fungicidal effects of uv light. phenoloxidase-catalyzed production of melanin-like pigments may serve to protect the fungus against ionizing radiation.19947986054
latex agglutination test negative cryptococcal meningitis in an immuno-competent individual: a case report.we report a case with progressive mental deterioration and persistent low grade fever, who was diagnosed to have cryptococcal meningitis. this case is unique in that the cryptococcal latex agglutination antigen test was consecutively negative. the diagnosis was made by sequential csf culture.19947988095
the vertebrate peptide antibiotics dermaseptins have overlapping structural features but target specific microorganisms.the physiological significance of the occurrence of sequence similar antimicrobial peptides in frog skin, as the bombinins in bombina, the magainins in xenopus, and the dermaseptins in phyllomedusa, is a major unanswered question. dermaseptins s1, s2, s3, s4, and s5, a family of cationic (lysine-rich), amphipathic antifungal peptides of 28-34 residues were thus synthesized, purified to homogeneity, and evaluated for their growth-inhibition activity in vitro against various pathogenic microorgani ...19947989335
rapid detection and identification of candida albicans and torulopsis (candida) glabrata in clinical specimens by species-specific nested pcr amplification of a cytochrome p-450 lanosterol-alpha-demethylase (l1a1) gene fragment.pcr of a candida albicans cytochrome p-450 lanosterol-alpha-demethylase (p450-l1a1) gene segment is a rapid and sensitive method of detection in clinical specimens. this enzyme is a target for azole antifungal action. in order to directly detect and identify the clinically most important species of candida, we cloned and sequenced 1.3-kbp fragments of the cytochrome p450-l1a1 genes from torulopsis (candida) glabrata and from candida krusei. these segments were compared with the published sequenc ...19947989540
evaluation of a novel colorimetric broth microdilution method for antifungal susceptibility testing of yeast isolates.a comparative evaluation of two broth microdilution methods for antifungal susceptibility testing of 600 clinical yeast isolates (candida spp., torulopsis glabrata, and cryptococcus neoformans) against amphotericin b, fluconazole, and flucytosine (5fc) was conducted. microdilution testing was performed according to national committee for clinical laboratory standards (nccls) recommendations (nccls document m27-p). by using the growth control for comparison, reference microdilution mic endpoints ...19947989555
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