The taxonomic relationship of Rhinosporidium seeberi with other organisms remained controversial ... more The taxonomic relationship of Rhinosporidium seeberi with other organisms remained controversial for over a century. Recently, molecular studies have shown R. seeberi to be a protistal microbe in the newly described class Mesomycetozoea at the animal-fungal boundary. Phylogenetic analyses of R. seeberi using 18S smallsubunit (SSU) rRNA genes from several hosts suggested Rhinosporidium as a monotypic genus. To test this hypothesis, the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), 5.8S, and ITS2 from eight humans, two swans, and a dog with rhinosporidiosis were sequenced. The ITS regions were amplified by PCR using a primer designed from a unique region of R. seeberi's 18S SSU rRNA genes in combination with the ITS4 universal primer. In addition, the universal ITS4 and ITS5 primers were also used. R. seeberi's ITS sequences showed differences in the numbers of nucleotides among strains. For instance, the eight human ITS sequences were uniformly similar with only a few mismatches and ϳ1,060 bp long. In contrast, sequences from one of the swans and the dog were 1,356 bp and ϳ1,147 bp long, respectively. Clustal analysis of all of the ITS sequences showed multiple 50-to 60-bp gaps and several mismatches among them. Parsimony analysis placed the Rhinosporidium ITS sequences in three well-supported sister groups according to the hosts' identities. This analysis strongly suggests that the genus Rhinosporidium may possess multiple host-specific strains. No correlation was found between this finding and the phenotypic features of R. seeberi in the studied samples.
Phoma herbarum has been associated with two outbreaks of systemic mycosis in hatchery-reared chin... more Phoma herbarum has been associated with two outbreaks of systemic mycosis in hatchery-reared chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) fingerlings. Affected fish exhibited abnormal swimming behavior, exophthalmia, multiple rounded areas of muscle softening, protruded hemorrhagic vents, and abdominal swelling. In all affected fish, swimbladders were filled with whitish creamy viscous fungal mass, surrounded by dark red areas in swimbladder walls, kidneys, and musculature. Clinical and histopathological examinations suggest that the infection may have started primarily in the swimbladder and then spread to the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and surrounding musculature. Consistent microscopical findings included broad septate branched fungal hyaline hyphae, 5–12 µm in diameter within the swimbladder, stomach, and often within and adjacent to blood vessels. Profuse growths of woolly brown fungal colonies were obtained from swimbladders and kidneys on Sabouraud medium. On corn meal agar the formation of pycnidia, characteristic of Phoma spp., was detected within 10 days of incubation. Morphological and molecular analyses identified this fungus as Phoma herbarum. This report underscores systemic fungal infections as a threat to raceway-raised salmon.
During the first year of an ongoing surveillance program of invasive fungal infections (IFI) a to... more During the first year of an ongoing surveillance program of invasive fungal infections (IFI) a total of 130 patients (56% male) with fungal strains isolated from blood and other sterile sites were reported from 13 hospitals in Chile. Significant yeast isolates were obtained from 118 patients, and molds affected 12 patients. The main patient groups affected were neonates, children less than 1 year old and adults aged 50Á/79 years. All fungal bloodstream infections (BSI) were due to yeasts; 79 patients (61%) were affected. The main risk factors recorded were antibiotic therapy (76%), stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) (70%) and presence of a central venous catheter (65%). Nosocomial infections were represented in 83.5% of BSI. Overall, Candida albicans (40.8%), C. parapsilosis (13.1%), C. tropicalis (10%) and Cryptococcus neoformans (10%) were the most common species. Aspergillus fumigatus (3.1%) was the most frequent mold. C. albicans (48.1%) and C. parapsilosis (17.7%), were the most frequent agents recovered from blood. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Trichosporon mucoides, two emerging pathogens, were also isolated. All yeasts tested were susceptible to amphotericin B with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)5/1 mg/ml. Resistance to itraconazole (MIC ]/1 mg/ml) and fluconazole (MIC ]/64 mg/ml) was observed in 4 and 6% of cases, respectively. C. glabrata was the least susceptible species, with 50% of isolates resistant to itraconazole and 33% resistant to fluconazole, with one strain showing combined resistance. Reduction of BSI requires greater adherence to hand-washing and related infection control guidelines.
We evaluated the relation between venous thrombosis and plasma fibrinogen levels, the HaeIII and ... more We evaluated the relation between venous thrombosis and plasma fibrinogen levels, the HaeIII and BcI polymorphisms of the  fibrinogen gene, and the MspI polymorphisms of the factor VII gene in a case-control study of African-Americans. The study included 91 venous thrombosis cases and 185 control subjects obtained from a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. High plasma fibrinogen was associated with increased risk of venous thrombosis, but the finding was not statistically significant. There was little association between the HaeIII polymorphisms and the BclI polymorphisms and the risk of venous thrombosis. The prevalence of the M2/M2 genotype of the factor VII gene was higher among cases than controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. The prevalence of the HaeIII H2 allele and the BclI B2 allele of the  fibrinogen gene, both of which have been associated with slightly higher levels of plasma fibrinogen in most studies, is considerably lower among African-Americans in this study than it is among Whites in the United States and among Northern Europeans. The study is limited by its small size. However, despite this limitation, it supports the belief that increased plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with increased venous thrombosis risk. The study also indicated that the HaeIII and the BclI polymorphisms of the  fibrinogen gene and the MspI polymorphisms of the factor VII gene are not strong determinants of venous thrombosis.
A mutation in the Factor V gene (Factor V Leiden), a variant in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolat... more A mutation in the Factor V gene (Factor V Leiden), a variant in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR), and an insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene (ACE) may be related to abnormal blood clotting. The authors examined the associations between these genetic traits and venous thrombosis among African Americans. This study comprised 93 patients with venous thrombosis and 185 control subjects attending clinics at an urban, public hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1995-1996. Subjects' DNA was extracted from blood and assayed for these genetic traits. Odds ratios were obtained from logistic regression and used as a measure of association between each genetic trait and venous thrombosis. Factor V Leiden was unrelated to venous thrombosis, but the mutation ws too rare among our African-American subjects to evaluate adequately its relation to venous thrombosis. The homozygous and heterozygous genotypes for the V allele of the MTHFR gene were unrelated to venous thrombosis (odds ratio = 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.8). Subjects with the deletion/deletion ACE polymorphism experienced a moderate increase in venous thrombosis risk compared with persons with the other genotypes (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval 0.9-2.6). However, women with this ACE genotype experienced no increased risk (odds ratio = 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.9), whereas men with this genotype had nearly three times the risk (odds ratio = 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2-6.2; p value for interaction = 0.06). These data indicate that the prevalence of Factor V Leiden and the V allele of the MTHFR gene is low among African Americans. The D allele of the ACE gene is equally prevalent among African Americans and whites and may be related to venous thrombosis among African-American men.
Several recent studies have reported that the factor V Arg506→Gln mutation is present in 3–10% of... more Several recent studies have reported that the factor V Arg506→Gln mutation is present in 3–10% of adults of European descent. To determine if the prevalence is comparable among Blacks, we have initiated a casecontrol study in a large urban hospital in Atlanta which serves a substantial black population. We have evaluated 131 black subjects with confirmed venous or arterial thrombosis and 61 black subjects without a history of thrombosis. Only one case and one control were positive for the Arg506→Gln mutation. We conclude that the mutation is more common among Whites than Blacks.
We evaluated the relation between venous thrombosis and plasma fibrinogen levels, the HaeIII and ... more We evaluated the relation between venous thrombosis and plasma fibrinogen levels, the HaeIII and BcI polymorphisms of the  fibrinogen gene, and the MspI polymorphisms of the factor VII gene in a case-control study of African-Americans. The study included 91 venous thrombosis cases and 185 control subjects obtained from a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. High plasma fibrinogen was associated with increased risk of venous thrombosis, but the finding was not statistically significant. There was little association between the HaeIII polymorphisms and the BclI polymorphisms and the risk of venous thrombosis. The prevalence of the M2/M2 genotype of the factor VII gene was higher among cases than controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. The prevalence of the HaeIII H2 allele and the BclI B2 allele of the  fibrinogen gene, both of which have been associated with slightly higher levels of plasma fibrinogen in most studies, is considerably lower among African-Americans in this study than it is among Whites in the United States and among Northern Europeans. The study is limited by its small size. However, despite this limitation, it supports the belief that increased plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with increased venous thrombosis risk. The study also indicated that the HaeIII and the BclI polymorphisms of the  fibrinogen gene and the MspI polymorphisms of the factor VII gene are not strong determinants of venous thrombosis.
A mutation in the Factor V gene (Factor V Leiden), a variant in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolat... more A mutation in the Factor V gene (Factor V Leiden), a variant in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR), and an insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene (ACE) may be related to abnormal blood clotting. The authors examined the associations between these genetic traits and venous thrombosis among African Americans. This study comprised 93 patients with venous thrombosis and 185 control subjects attending clinics at an urban, public hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1995-1996. Subjects' DNA was extracted from blood and assayed for these genetic traits. Odds ratios were obtained from logistic regression and used as a measure of association between each genetic trait and venous thrombosis. Factor V Leiden was unrelated to venous thrombosis, but the mutation ws too rare among our African-American subjects to evaluate adequately its relation to venous thrombosis. The homozygous and heterozygous genotypes for the V allele of the MTHFR gene were unrelated to venous thrombosis (odds ratio = 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.8). Subjects with the deletion/deletion ACE polymorphism experienced a moderate increase in venous thrombosis risk compared with persons with the other genotypes (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval 0.9-2.6). However, women with this ACE genotype experienced no increased risk (odds ratio = 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.9), whereas men with this genotype had nearly three times the risk (odds ratio = 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2-6.2; p value for interaction = 0.06). These data indicate that the prevalence of Factor V Leiden and the V allele of the MTHFR gene is low among African Americans. The D allele of the ACE gene is equally prevalent among African Americans and whites and may be related to venous thrombosis among African-American men.
Fusarium species are common soil saprophytes and plant pathogens that have been frequently report... more Fusarium species are common soil saprophytes and plant pathogens that have been frequently reported as etiologic agents of opportunistic infections in humans. We report eight cases of onychomycosis caused by Fusarium solani (4) and Fusarium oxysporum (4) in São Paulo, Brazil. These species were isolated from toenails in all cases. The infections were initially considered to be caused by dermatophytes. The clinical appearance of the affected toenails was leukonychia or distal subungual hyperkeratosis with yellowish brown coloration. The eight cases reported here suggest that Fusarium spp. should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of tinea unguium.
We studied 70 intensive care unit patients to determine the incidence of nosocomial candiduria as... more We studied 70 intensive care unit patients to determine the incidence of nosocomial candiduria associated with indwelling urinary catheters and to assess microbiological characteristics of the yeasts. The yeasts were isolated, 13 of 17 in urine cultures and 4 of 17 in blood cultures, and colonization had occurred 3 days after the insertion of indwelling urinary catheters. For four strains the MICs of the antifungal drugs were high.
The prevalence ofM. furfur, a lipodependent fungus, in the skin of 0 to 15-year-old healthy child... more The prevalence ofM. furfur, a lipodependent fungus, in the skin of 0 to 15-year-old healthy children was studied. Sterilized carpet was used to collect skin samples which were cultured in Oxgall medium (Difco) with 1% olive oil and incubated for 10 days at 37 °C.M. furfur was recovered in 17.8% of infants, with similar findings in both sexes. The highest prevalence ofM. furfur colonization was found among children of 0 to 18 months and 11 to 15-year-olds, with 23.3% and 26.7% respectively.
Humoral immune responses against exoantigen components of oval, elliptic and round yeast forms of... more Humoral immune responses against exoantigen components of oval, elliptic and round yeast forms of Malassezia furfur were analysed by ELISA and Western blotting assays, using sera from patients with pityriasis versicolor (PV), seborrheic dermatitis (SD) and healthy adults (HA), as control. Sera from patients with SD showed IgG anti-oval M. furfur titers ranging from 1/400 to 1/6400 showing geometric mean (GM) of 1/1472, higher than those obtained with sera from patients with PV (1/200 to 1/6400, GM = 1/1239). Both patient groups showed mean titres statistically superior (p IgG mean titers from patients' sera were much higher than those obtained with elliptic or round antigenic components (p Anti-M. furfur IgM titers obtained from patient's sera with PV against all three exoantigens were statistically superior (p IgM titers statistically superior (p IgA mean titers from patients' groups against the different morphological antigens were shown be slightly higher than those HA group. By Western blot, using rabbit anti-sera, the different antigenic components of M. furfur showed a close relationship mainly between oval and elliptic yeast cells antigens. The 70 kDa component of the M. furfur exoantigen of oval morphology was recognized by 84% of the PV patients' sera. On the other hand, SD patients' sera recognized 3 principal components of 70 kDa (100%), 65 kDa (67%) and 84 kDa (53%). These components may be considered immunological markers for PV and SD. Twenty-five percent of HA sera recognized the components of 65, 70 and 94 kDa. This investigation shows that M. furfur antigens can sensitize the host, mainly the oval yeast form of M. furfur with a very important specific IgG response in patients with SD and PV.
La observación de los cambios notorios, esta vez en estatura, forma de la cara en las modificacio... more La observación de los cambios notorios, esta vez en estatura, forma de la cara en las modificaciones de la arquitectura de los arcos dentarios.
The taxonomic relationship of Rhinosporidium seeberi with other organisms remained controversial ... more The taxonomic relationship of Rhinosporidium seeberi with other organisms remained controversial for over a century. Recently, molecular studies have shown R. seeberi to be a protistal microbe in the newly described class Mesomycetozoea at the animal-fungal boundary. Phylogenetic analyses of R. seeberi using 18S smallsubunit (SSU) rRNA genes from several hosts suggested Rhinosporidium as a monotypic genus. To test this hypothesis, the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), 5.8S, and ITS2 from eight humans, two swans, and a dog with rhinosporidiosis were sequenced. The ITS regions were amplified by PCR using a primer designed from a unique region of R. seeberi's 18S SSU rRNA genes in combination with the ITS4 universal primer. In addition, the universal ITS4 and ITS5 primers were also used. R. seeberi's ITS sequences showed differences in the numbers of nucleotides among strains. For instance, the eight human ITS sequences were uniformly similar with only a few mismatches and ϳ1,060 bp long. In contrast, sequences from one of the swans and the dog were 1,356 bp and ϳ1,147 bp long, respectively. Clustal analysis of all of the ITS sequences showed multiple 50-to 60-bp gaps and several mismatches among them. Parsimony analysis placed the Rhinosporidium ITS sequences in three well-supported sister groups according to the hosts' identities. This analysis strongly suggests that the genus Rhinosporidium may possess multiple host-specific strains. No correlation was found between this finding and the phenotypic features of R. seeberi in the studied samples.
Phoma herbarum has been associated with two outbreaks of systemic mycosis in hatchery-reared chin... more Phoma herbarum has been associated with two outbreaks of systemic mycosis in hatchery-reared chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) fingerlings. Affected fish exhibited abnormal swimming behavior, exophthalmia, multiple rounded areas of muscle softening, protruded hemorrhagic vents, and abdominal swelling. In all affected fish, swimbladders were filled with whitish creamy viscous fungal mass, surrounded by dark red areas in swimbladder walls, kidneys, and musculature. Clinical and histopathological examinations suggest that the infection may have started primarily in the swimbladder and then spread to the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and surrounding musculature. Consistent microscopical findings included broad septate branched fungal hyaline hyphae, 5–12 µm in diameter within the swimbladder, stomach, and often within and adjacent to blood vessels. Profuse growths of woolly brown fungal colonies were obtained from swimbladders and kidneys on Sabouraud medium. On corn meal agar the formation of pycnidia, characteristic of Phoma spp., was detected within 10 days of incubation. Morphological and molecular analyses identified this fungus as Phoma herbarum. This report underscores systemic fungal infections as a threat to raceway-raised salmon.
During the first year of an ongoing surveillance program of invasive fungal infections (IFI) a to... more During the first year of an ongoing surveillance program of invasive fungal infections (IFI) a total of 130 patients (56% male) with fungal strains isolated from blood and other sterile sites were reported from 13 hospitals in Chile. Significant yeast isolates were obtained from 118 patients, and molds affected 12 patients. The main patient groups affected were neonates, children less than 1 year old and adults aged 50Á/79 years. All fungal bloodstream infections (BSI) were due to yeasts; 79 patients (61%) were affected. The main risk factors recorded were antibiotic therapy (76%), stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) (70%) and presence of a central venous catheter (65%). Nosocomial infections were represented in 83.5% of BSI. Overall, Candida albicans (40.8%), C. parapsilosis (13.1%), C. tropicalis (10%) and Cryptococcus neoformans (10%) were the most common species. Aspergillus fumigatus (3.1%) was the most frequent mold. C. albicans (48.1%) and C. parapsilosis (17.7%), were the most frequent agents recovered from blood. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Trichosporon mucoides, two emerging pathogens, were also isolated. All yeasts tested were susceptible to amphotericin B with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)5/1 mg/ml. Resistance to itraconazole (MIC ]/1 mg/ml) and fluconazole (MIC ]/64 mg/ml) was observed in 4 and 6% of cases, respectively. C. glabrata was the least susceptible species, with 50% of isolates resistant to itraconazole and 33% resistant to fluconazole, with one strain showing combined resistance. Reduction of BSI requires greater adherence to hand-washing and related infection control guidelines.
We evaluated the relation between venous thrombosis and plasma fibrinogen levels, the HaeIII and ... more We evaluated the relation between venous thrombosis and plasma fibrinogen levels, the HaeIII and BcI polymorphisms of the  fibrinogen gene, and the MspI polymorphisms of the factor VII gene in a case-control study of African-Americans. The study included 91 venous thrombosis cases and 185 control subjects obtained from a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. High plasma fibrinogen was associated with increased risk of venous thrombosis, but the finding was not statistically significant. There was little association between the HaeIII polymorphisms and the BclI polymorphisms and the risk of venous thrombosis. The prevalence of the M2/M2 genotype of the factor VII gene was higher among cases than controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. The prevalence of the HaeIII H2 allele and the BclI B2 allele of the  fibrinogen gene, both of which have been associated with slightly higher levels of plasma fibrinogen in most studies, is considerably lower among African-Americans in this study than it is among Whites in the United States and among Northern Europeans. The study is limited by its small size. However, despite this limitation, it supports the belief that increased plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with increased venous thrombosis risk. The study also indicated that the HaeIII and the BclI polymorphisms of the  fibrinogen gene and the MspI polymorphisms of the factor VII gene are not strong determinants of venous thrombosis.
A mutation in the Factor V gene (Factor V Leiden), a variant in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolat... more A mutation in the Factor V gene (Factor V Leiden), a variant in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR), and an insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene (ACE) may be related to abnormal blood clotting. The authors examined the associations between these genetic traits and venous thrombosis among African Americans. This study comprised 93 patients with venous thrombosis and 185 control subjects attending clinics at an urban, public hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1995-1996. Subjects' DNA was extracted from blood and assayed for these genetic traits. Odds ratios were obtained from logistic regression and used as a measure of association between each genetic trait and venous thrombosis. Factor V Leiden was unrelated to venous thrombosis, but the mutation ws too rare among our African-American subjects to evaluate adequately its relation to venous thrombosis. The homozygous and heterozygous genotypes for the V allele of the MTHFR gene were unrelated to venous thrombosis (odds ratio = 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.8). Subjects with the deletion/deletion ACE polymorphism experienced a moderate increase in venous thrombosis risk compared with persons with the other genotypes (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval 0.9-2.6). However, women with this ACE genotype experienced no increased risk (odds ratio = 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.9), whereas men with this genotype had nearly three times the risk (odds ratio = 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2-6.2; p value for interaction = 0.06). These data indicate that the prevalence of Factor V Leiden and the V allele of the MTHFR gene is low among African Americans. The D allele of the ACE gene is equally prevalent among African Americans and whites and may be related to venous thrombosis among African-American men.
Several recent studies have reported that the factor V Arg506→Gln mutation is present in 3–10% of... more Several recent studies have reported that the factor V Arg506→Gln mutation is present in 3–10% of adults of European descent. To determine if the prevalence is comparable among Blacks, we have initiated a casecontrol study in a large urban hospital in Atlanta which serves a substantial black population. We have evaluated 131 black subjects with confirmed venous or arterial thrombosis and 61 black subjects without a history of thrombosis. Only one case and one control were positive for the Arg506→Gln mutation. We conclude that the mutation is more common among Whites than Blacks.
We evaluated the relation between venous thrombosis and plasma fibrinogen levels, the HaeIII and ... more We evaluated the relation between venous thrombosis and plasma fibrinogen levels, the HaeIII and BcI polymorphisms of the  fibrinogen gene, and the MspI polymorphisms of the factor VII gene in a case-control study of African-Americans. The study included 91 venous thrombosis cases and 185 control subjects obtained from a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. High plasma fibrinogen was associated with increased risk of venous thrombosis, but the finding was not statistically significant. There was little association between the HaeIII polymorphisms and the BclI polymorphisms and the risk of venous thrombosis. The prevalence of the M2/M2 genotype of the factor VII gene was higher among cases than controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. The prevalence of the HaeIII H2 allele and the BclI B2 allele of the  fibrinogen gene, both of which have been associated with slightly higher levels of plasma fibrinogen in most studies, is considerably lower among African-Americans in this study than it is among Whites in the United States and among Northern Europeans. The study is limited by its small size. However, despite this limitation, it supports the belief that increased plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with increased venous thrombosis risk. The study also indicated that the HaeIII and the BclI polymorphisms of the  fibrinogen gene and the MspI polymorphisms of the factor VII gene are not strong determinants of venous thrombosis.
A mutation in the Factor V gene (Factor V Leiden), a variant in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolat... more A mutation in the Factor V gene (Factor V Leiden), a variant in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR), and an insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene (ACE) may be related to abnormal blood clotting. The authors examined the associations between these genetic traits and venous thrombosis among African Americans. This study comprised 93 patients with venous thrombosis and 185 control subjects attending clinics at an urban, public hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1995-1996. Subjects' DNA was extracted from blood and assayed for these genetic traits. Odds ratios were obtained from logistic regression and used as a measure of association between each genetic trait and venous thrombosis. Factor V Leiden was unrelated to venous thrombosis, but the mutation ws too rare among our African-American subjects to evaluate adequately its relation to venous thrombosis. The homozygous and heterozygous genotypes for the V allele of the MTHFR gene were unrelated to venous thrombosis (odds ratio = 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.8). Subjects with the deletion/deletion ACE polymorphism experienced a moderate increase in venous thrombosis risk compared with persons with the other genotypes (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval 0.9-2.6). However, women with this ACE genotype experienced no increased risk (odds ratio = 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.9), whereas men with this genotype had nearly three times the risk (odds ratio = 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2-6.2; p value for interaction = 0.06). These data indicate that the prevalence of Factor V Leiden and the V allele of the MTHFR gene is low among African Americans. The D allele of the ACE gene is equally prevalent among African Americans and whites and may be related to venous thrombosis among African-American men.
Fusarium species are common soil saprophytes and plant pathogens that have been frequently report... more Fusarium species are common soil saprophytes and plant pathogens that have been frequently reported as etiologic agents of opportunistic infections in humans. We report eight cases of onychomycosis caused by Fusarium solani (4) and Fusarium oxysporum (4) in São Paulo, Brazil. These species were isolated from toenails in all cases. The infections were initially considered to be caused by dermatophytes. The clinical appearance of the affected toenails was leukonychia or distal subungual hyperkeratosis with yellowish brown coloration. The eight cases reported here suggest that Fusarium spp. should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of tinea unguium.
We studied 70 intensive care unit patients to determine the incidence of nosocomial candiduria as... more We studied 70 intensive care unit patients to determine the incidence of nosocomial candiduria associated with indwelling urinary catheters and to assess microbiological characteristics of the yeasts. The yeasts were isolated, 13 of 17 in urine cultures and 4 of 17 in blood cultures, and colonization had occurred 3 days after the insertion of indwelling urinary catheters. For four strains the MICs of the antifungal drugs were high.
The prevalence ofM. furfur, a lipodependent fungus, in the skin of 0 to 15-year-old healthy child... more The prevalence ofM. furfur, a lipodependent fungus, in the skin of 0 to 15-year-old healthy children was studied. Sterilized carpet was used to collect skin samples which were cultured in Oxgall medium (Difco) with 1% olive oil and incubated for 10 days at 37 °C.M. furfur was recovered in 17.8% of infants, with similar findings in both sexes. The highest prevalence ofM. furfur colonization was found among children of 0 to 18 months and 11 to 15-year-olds, with 23.3% and 26.7% respectively.
Humoral immune responses against exoantigen components of oval, elliptic and round yeast forms of... more Humoral immune responses against exoantigen components of oval, elliptic and round yeast forms of Malassezia furfur were analysed by ELISA and Western blotting assays, using sera from patients with pityriasis versicolor (PV), seborrheic dermatitis (SD) and healthy adults (HA), as control. Sera from patients with SD showed IgG anti-oval M. furfur titers ranging from 1/400 to 1/6400 showing geometric mean (GM) of 1/1472, higher than those obtained with sera from patients with PV (1/200 to 1/6400, GM = 1/1239). Both patient groups showed mean titres statistically superior (p IgG mean titers from patients' sera were much higher than those obtained with elliptic or round antigenic components (p Anti-M. furfur IgM titers obtained from patient's sera with PV against all three exoantigens were statistically superior (p IgM titers statistically superior (p IgA mean titers from patients' groups against the different morphological antigens were shown be slightly higher than those HA group. By Western blot, using rabbit anti-sera, the different antigenic components of M. furfur showed a close relationship mainly between oval and elliptic yeast cells antigens. The 70 kDa component of the M. furfur exoantigen of oval morphology was recognized by 84% of the PV patients' sera. On the other hand, SD patients' sera recognized 3 principal components of 70 kDa (100%), 65 kDa (67%) and 84 kDa (53%). These components may be considered immunological markers for PV and SD. Twenty-five percent of HA sera recognized the components of 65, 70 and 94 kDa. This investigation shows that M. furfur antigens can sensitize the host, mainly the oval yeast form of M. furfur with a very important specific IgG response in patients with SD and PV.
La observación de los cambios notorios, esta vez en estatura, forma de la cara en las modificacio... more La observación de los cambios notorios, esta vez en estatura, forma de la cara en las modificaciones de la arquitectura de los arcos dentarios.
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