Interlaboratory evaluation of the Etest for antifungal susceptibility testing of dermatophytes.

A three-site interlaboratory reproducibility evaluation of the Etest concentration gradient strip method for testing antifungal susceptibilities was conducted using 30 strains of dermatophytes exposed to strips loaded with ketoconazole (KTZ), itraconazole (ITZ), amphotericin B (AMB) and fluconazole (FCZ). Etest minimal inhibitory concentrations were compared with those obtained using a broth microdilution method. All isolates produced clearly detectable growth at 28 degrees C within 72-96 h for reading with the Etest method. The highest interlaboratory agreement between Etest and the microdilution method was shown with FCZ (94%), and the lowest was seen with KTZ (60%). Overall, agreement between the Etest and microdilution method was variable. It was excellent for AMB (97%), good for ITZ (80%) and KTZ (77%), and low for fluconazole (27%).

Comparison of the virulence of Scedosporium prolificans strains from different origins in a murine model.

Scedosporium prolificans is an emerging opportunist fungus that causes different types of infections in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed people. These infections show an irregular geographical distribution and, generally, disseminated systemic infections are noticed only in specific countries. This study used a murine model of disseminated infection by this fungus to assess if strains from different origins have different virulence. Two strains from each of four different sources (disseminated infection, localised infection, asymptomatic cystic fibrosis patients and the environment) were tested. Two strains of S. apiospermum of clinical origin were also included in the study; these were clearly less virulent than those of S. prolificans. The S. prolificans strains tested were classified in three groups according to their virulence. The groups with higher and lower virulence were represented by only one strain each, and the intermediate group contained six strains. No significant differences were found between the strains from different geographic areas or different forms of disease.

Use of the sensititre colorimetric microdilution panel for antifungal susceptibility testing of dermatophytes.

The Sensititre YeastOne antifungal panel was used to test 49 dermatophytes belonging to the species Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The MICs of four antifungals obtained with the Sensititre YeastOne antifungal panel were compared with those obtained by the reference NCCLS microdilution method. The levels of agreement between the two methods (

In vitro antifungal activities of the new triazole UR-9825 against clinically important filamentous fungi.

We used a modified reference microdilution method (the M-38P method) to evaluate the in vitro activities of the new triazole UR-9825 in comparison with those of amphotericin B against 77 strains of opportunistic filamentous fungi. UR-9825 was clearly more active than amphotericin B against all fungi except Fusarium solani and Scytalidium spp. Notably, UR-9825 had low MICs for Aspergillus fumigatus and Paecilomyces lilacinus (MICs at which 90% of isolates are inhibited, 0.125 microg/ml for both species).

Cutaneous infection caused by Aspergillus ustus, an emerging opportunistic fungus in immunosuppressed patients.

We report a case of primary cutaneous infection by the emerging fungus Aspergillus ustus in an immunosuppressed patient after a domestic accident. The patient failed to respond to itraconazole and died before receiving a new treatment with amphotericin B. There have been eight other cases reported since 1973, and only two patients survived the infection. In vitro susceptibility testing of seven antifungal drugs showed that terbinafine and the new azole derivative UR-9825 were the most active against this fungus.

Mycotic keratitis due to Curvularia senegalensis and in vitro antifungal susceptibilities of Curvularia spp.

A case of mycotic keratitis due to Curvularia senegalensis is reported. This case represents the third known reported infection caused by this rare species. Fungal hyphae were detected in corneal scrapings, and repeated cultures were positive for this fungi. The patient was presumed cured after a corneal transplant and treatment with itraconazole, but the infection recurred and the patient is waiting for a keratoplasty. The in vitro antifungal susceptibilities of the case strain and another 24 strains belonging to seven species of Curvularia were tested for six antifungal agents. With the exception of flucytosine, and occasionally fluconazole, the other drugs assayed (amphotericin B, miconazole, itraconazole, and ketoconazole) were highly effective in vitro.

Fatal case of Trichoderma harzianum infection in a renal transplant recipient.

We describe the second known case of human infection by Trichoderma harzianum. A disseminated fungal infection was detected in the postmortem examination of a renal transplant recipient and confirmed in culture. The only other reported infection by this fungus caused peritonitis in a diabetic patient. The in vitro antifungal susceptibilities of the clinical strain and three other strains of Trichoderma species to six antifungal drugs are provided. This case illustrates the widening spectrum of opportunistic Trichoderma spp. in immunocompromised patients and emphasizes the problems in diagnosing invasive fungal diseases.