Antifungal properties of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors against Aspergillus species in vitro.

This study investigated the fungicidal activity of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) against clinical isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus (n = 11), Aspergillus flavus (n = 9), Aspergillus terreus (n = 10) and Candida parapsilosis (ATCC 22019). The common drugs fluoxetine, seroxate, sertraline, paroxetine and reboxetine were applied in a broth microdilution test. In addition, we examined whether a post-antibiotic effect occurs following short exposure to the drugs. The various SSRIs showed time- and dose-dependent effects and were fungicidal towards the organisms tested. Sertraline and fluoxetine were the most active drugs, yet there were differences in the susceptibility of the various isolates tested. A lag of regrowth was dependent on the various SSRIs tested and their concentration. Treatment for 4 h at concentrations of sertraline below and equipotent to the minimal fungicidal concentration resulted in a lag of regrowth of 8-24 h for isolates of A. fumigatus and A. flavus. In conclusion, our in vitro studies clearly demonstrate antifungal effects of SSRIs. Animal studies are needed to evaluate the potential role of these psychotropic drugs in the management of fungal infections.

Determination of silicon in urine by inductive coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy.

We describe an inductive coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopic method to determine silicon in spot urine specimens. A 6-fold standard addition series of the urine specimen ranging from 0 to 356 micromol/l silicon was applied, and the method meets the requirement of matrix compensation in a frequently changing environment. The inter-assay variation was +/-3.0%, intra-assay variations for three specimens were +/-1.7%, +/-1.1% and +/-0.84%. To compensate for physiological variations of urine density, the silicon concentrations in urine were related to urinary creatinine which was measured in parallel by reversed-phase HPLC. Urinary silicon concentrations were examined in 43 healthy controls from the local population. The 5th-95th percentile was 12.6-237 micromol/mmol creatinine. A follow-up of three people over a period of 14 days showed that intra-individual variations of urinary silicon concentrations were smaller than variations between individuals, especially when silicon is related to creatinine.

[Selenium deficiency in pregnancy?]. / Selenmangel bei Schwangeren?

Selenium content was investigated by atomic absorbtion spectroscopy in 32 normal pregnant women in the 38th-42, week of pregnancy. In congruence with other investigations from middle and northern Europe, selenium deficiency was stated in all of the patients.

[Exposed lead dioxide candles analyzed by a volumetric method, carried out as laboratory and field tests in Innsbruck (author's transl)]. / Zur Frage der titrimetrischen Sulfatbestimmung exponierter Bleikerzen am Beispiel Innsbrucker Labor-und Feldversuche

Working up a great number of "lead-Dioxide-Candles" it took much less time to determine sulphate by a method of volumetric analysis with Ba(ClO4)2 and thoron or methylsulfonazo III as indicators compared with the so far used gravimetric determination of sulphate. With some training everybody will be able to make out the exact endpoint of the titration using thoron as indicator. The limits of error and the results gained from field-trials are shown. The possibilities of making statements of hygienically regional planning are discussed.