Candida nivariensis as a New Emergent Agent of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: Description of Cases and Review of Published Studies.

Candida nivariensis is a new emergent agent related to human infections in the vaginal tract and other localizations, but the phenotypic characteristics are very similar to Candida glabrata and can be misidentified and underdiagnosed. We described four cases of vulvovaginitis identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and confirmed the results with PCR amplification and sequencing of the entire ITS genomic region (ITS1, ITS2 and 5.8 rRNA). We reinforce the need for new diagnostic tools for the correct identification of yeast infections.

Diversity of bla genes and low incidence of CTX-M in plasmid-mediated AmpC-producing Escherichia coli clinical isolates.

The aim of this study was to characterize plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC)-producing Escherichia coli clinical isolates. A total of 101 strains with AmpC-susceptibility pattern were prospectively included. All isolates were tested by multiplex PCR to detect different bla genes. Phylogenetic groups were determined by a multiplex PCR assay. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by a microdilution commercial method. Presence of blapAmpC was detected in 79 (78.2%) of the strains; in these pAmpC-producing isolates, blaTEM was detected in 41 (51.9%) strains, blaSHV in 5 (6.3%) strains, blaOXA in 3 (3.8%) strains, and blaCTX-M in 3 (3.8%) strains. blaVIM and blaKPC were detected in one strain. Sixteen strains belonged to phylogroup A, 27 to B1, 20 to B2, and 16 to D. As conclusion, the majority of the strains of E. coli with AmpC-susceptibility pattern are pAmpC positive, although the association of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and pAmpC is unusual.

[Diagnosis of vaginitis-vaginosis by hibridization with DNA strands]. / Diagnóstico de vaginitis-vaginosis mediante hibridación con sondas de ADN.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal infections lie among the most common causes women ask for medical advice. In order of frequency bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis are responsible for 90% of vaginitis/vaginosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a DNA hybridization test for simultaneous molecular detection of Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida species and Trichomonas vaginalis, as an alternative to conventional microbiological methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cohort, cross-sectional, and comparative study of 1,003 vaginal samples from symptomatic women from our health-care area. Two swabs were obtained from each woman, one for routine microbiological diagnosis of vaginal infection (wet mount, Gram stain, and mycological culture) and the other for the DNA hybridization test (Affirm VPIII, Becton Dickinson). This method detects clinically significant levels of G. vaginalis (2 x 10(5) CFU/ml), Candida spp. (1 x 10(4) cells) and T. vaginalis (5x103 trichomonads). RESULTS: Out of the 1,003 women studied, 30.6% tested positive for bacterial vaginosis, 23.3% for vulvovaginal candidiasis, and 0.5% for trichomoniasis. The Affirm VPIII method turned out positive in 27.5%, 27.4% and 0.5% of cases, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between the molecular technique and conventional methods for microbiological diagnosis of vaginitis/ vaginosis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Affirm VPIII test correlated well with wet mount, Gram stain and mycological culture. Although its cost is relatively high, it is fast, reproducible, easy, and can be done in either clinical laboratories or Gynecology offices, which permits prescribing a specific early treatment.

Evaluation of the Sensititre Yeast One microdilution method for susceptibility testing of Candida species to anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin

Introducción. Las equinocandinas representan un nuevo grupo de antifúngicos con gran actividad frente a especies de Candida. El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar el método Sensititre Yeast One para determinar la actividad in vitro de anidulafungina, micafungina y caspofungina frente a especies de Candida aisladas de muestras clínicas. Métodos. Un total de 131 cepas de Candida identificadas como: 42 C. albicans, 36 C. glabrata, 21 C. parapsilosis, 12 C. tropicalis, 10 C. krusei, 3 C. guilliermondii, 2 C. famata, 3 C. kefyr, 1 C. lusitaniae, 1 C. zeylanoides y 1 C. lipolytica, fueron ensayadas mediante el método colorimétrico de microdilución Sensititre Yeast One. Se consideraron sensibles las cepas inhibidas por concentraciones <=2 mg/L de anidulafungina, caspofungina o micafungina. Resultados. El 80,1% de las cepas fueron inhibidas por concentraciones <=0,25 mg/L de anidulafungina y micafungina. La actividad de caspofungina fue ligeramente inferior (78,6% de las cepas inhibidas por concentraciones <=0,25 mg/L). El 96,9% de las cepas resultaron sensibles frente a las tres equinocandinas. Dos cepas de C. parapsilosis (9,5%), 1 de C. guilliermondii y 2 de C. famata no mostraron sensibilidad a una o más equinocandinas. Conclusiones. En nuestra serie, anidulafungina, micafungina y caspofungina fueron efectivas frente a C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. kefyr, C. lusitaniae y C. lipolytica. El 96,9% de las cepas fueron sensibles a las tres equinocandinas. Se puede afirmar que las equinocandinas tienen una excelente actividad frente a las especies de Candida más frecuentes en infecciones humanas, excepto Candida parapsilosis(AU)

Introduction. Echinocandins represent a new antifungal group with potent activity against Candida species. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the utility of the Sensititre Yeast One method to determine the in vitro activity of anidulafungin, micafungin, and caspofungin against Candida species isolated from clinical specimens. Methods. A total of 131 Candida strains were tested using Sensititre Yeast One colorimetric microdilution method. They belonged to the following species: 42 C. albicans, 36 C. glabrata, 21 C. parapsilosis, 12 C. tropicalis, 10 C. krusei, 3 C. guilliermondii, 2 C. famata, 3 C. kefyr, 1 C. lusitaniae, 1 C. zeylanoides, and 1 C. lipolytica. For being considered susceptible the strains had to be inhibited by concentrations <=2 mg/L of anidulafungin, caspofungin or micafungin. Results. The 80.1% of the strains tested were inhibited by concentrations <=0.25 mg/L of anidulafungin and micafungin. The activity of caspofungin was slightly lower (78.6% of strains inhibited by concentrations <=0.25 mg/L). The 96.9% of strains turned out susceptible to concentrations <=2 mg/L against the three echinocandins. Two strains of C. parapsilosis (9.5%), one of C. guilliermondii, and two of C. famata showed non-susceptible to one or more echinocandins. Conclusions. In our series, anidulafungin, micafungin, and caspofungin were effective against C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. kefyr, C. lusitaniae and C. lipolytica. The 96.9% of strains were susceptible to all three echinocandins. Thus, echinocandins are proved to exhibit excellent activity to the Candida species most frequently involved in human infections, except Candida parapsilosis(AU)

Evaluation of the Sensititre Yeast One microdilution method for susceptibility testing of Candida species to anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin.

INTRODUCTION: Echinocandins represent a new antifungal group with potent activity against Candida species. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the utility of the Sensititre Yeast One method to determine the in vitro activity of anidulafungin, micafungin, and caspofungin against Candida species isolated from clinical specimens. METHODS: A total of 131 Candida strains were tested using Sensititre Yeast One colorimetric microdilution method. They belonged to the following species: 42 C. albicans, 36 C. glabrata, 21 C. parapsilosis, 12 C. tropicalis, 10 C. krusei, 3 C. guilliermondii, 2 C. famata, 3 C. kefyr, 1 C. lusitaniae, 1 C. zeylanoides, and 1 C. lipolytica. For being considered susceptible the strains had to be inhibited by concentrations ≤2 mg/L of anidulafungin, caspofungin or micafungin. RESULTS: The 80.1% of the strains tested were inhibited by concentrations ≤0.25 mg/L of anidulafungin and micafungin. The activity of caspofungin was slightly lower (78.6% of strains inhibited by concentrations ≤0.25 mg/L). The 96.9% of strains turned out susceptible to concentrations ≤2 mg/L against the three echinocandins. Two strains of C. parapsilosis (9.5%), one of C. guilliermondii, and two of C. famata showed non-susceptible to one or more echinocandins. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, anidulafungin, micafungin, and caspofungin were effective against C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. kefyr, C. lusitaniae and C. lipolytica. The 96.9% of strains were susceptible to all three echinocandins. Thus, echinocandins are proved to exhibit excellent activity to the Candida species most frequently involved in human infections, except Candida parapsilosis.

Otomycosis due to filamentous fungi.

Otomycosis is common throughout the world but barely studied in Spain. Our objective was to determine the microbiological and epidemiological characteristics of this pathology in Cadiz (Spain) between 2005 and 2010. Samples from patients with suspicion of otomycosis underwent a direct microscopic examination and culture on different media for fungi and bacteria. Mycological cultures were incubated at 30°C for at least seven days. Identification of fungi was based on colonial morphology and microscopic examination of fungal structure. From a total of 2,633 samples, microbial growth was present in 1,375 (52.2%) and fungal isolation in 390 (28.4%). We identified 228 yeasts and 184 filamentous fungi (13.4% of positive cultures and 47.2% of otomycosis), associated with yeasts in 22 cases (5.6%). The most frequent species were Aspergillus flavus (42.4%), A. niger (35.9%), A. fumigatus (12.5%), A. candidus (7.1%), A. terreus (1.6%), and Paecilomyces variotii (0.5%). Infection was predominant in men (54.9%) and patients beyond 55 years old (46.8%). The most common clinical symptoms were itching (98.9%), otalgia (59.3%), and hypoacusis (56.0%). Fall season reported the lowest number of cases (20.1%). Incidence of otomycosis and fungi producing otomycosis vary within the distinct geographical areas. In Cadiz, this infection is endemic due to warm temperatures, high humidity, sea bathing, and wind, which contributes to disseminate the conidia. Despite Aspergillus niger has been reported as the main causative agent, A. flavus is predominant in Cadiz. Although infection is usually detected in warm months, we observed a homogeneous occurrence of otomycosis in almost all the seasons.

Urethritis due to Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum.

We describe a case of urethritis in a young man caused by Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum. This bacterium is a synonym of Corynebacterium seminale, a known agent of non-gonococcal urethritis, that cannot be regarded as commensal flora in the urogenital region when is isolated in a symptomatic clinical context. Accuracy in diagnosis and correct treatment is important for avoiding probable complications, for example prostatitis. Bacterial isolation is convenient, and an antimicrobial susceptibility test should be conducted to discover antimicrobial resistance. In our case the patient was successfully treated with fluoroquinolones and was symptom-free in 2 weeks.