Increase of Non-Albicans Candida Species and Their Antifungal Susceptibility in Intensive Care Unit Patients (Mexico)

In Mexico little is known about candidemia by non-albicans Candida species and regarding their antifungal susceptibility. Besides without antifungal tests, fluconazole is one of the most used in empirical therapy. In the present study, we included patients from intensive care unit of one hospital in Mexico (2019–2020) with compatible yeast infection clinical signs, symptoms. Based on cultivable isolates, yeasts were identified by automated instrument and by molecular method (PCR), and their susceptibilities to six antifungals were characterized at different concentrations. From 105 patients, yeast cultures were recovered and identified mainly non-albicans Candida species (57.2%); and the most prevalent was C. glabrata (41.9%). Followed by C. albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis and Cryptococcus neoformans. The most common infection site was urine (56%), followed by the bronchial aspirate (30%). Mostly the isolated fungi were susceptible to 5-flucytosine (98%) and to amphotericin B. Mainly C. glabrata followed by C. krusei and C. tropicalis were resistant to different concentrations of itraconazole, miconazole, and fluconazole. The present investigation contributes to the knowledge of non-albicans Candida species infections in patients and, opens the possibility for a better understanding and management in antifungal empirical therapy.in Mexico.

Recovery of Candida spp. from a denture rat model

Denture stomatitis is a common infection in denture wearers. This study evaluated the recovery of Candida spp. from the palate of Wistar rats after using an acrylic device with single and mixed-species of Candida spp. After approval of the Ethics Committee, 84 male and female Wistar rats were used. Custom-made acrylic devices were fabricated for each animal and sterilized by microwave irradiation. Single and mixed species biofilms of C. albicans (Ca), C. glabrata (Cg), and C. tropicalis (Ct) were grown on the devices for 48 h at 37°C. Rats were anesthetized and the devices were cemented on the molar teeth (n=5 for each sex and Candida spp.). Rats received a carbohydrate-rich diet. Single and mixed species were inoculated in the oral cavity thrice after three-day intervals. Controls received only dentures without Candida spp. After 4 weeks, the devices were removed, the palates were swabbed, and diluted samples were plated on Agar Sabouraud Dextrose and CHROMAgar Candida for colony counting and presumptive identification, respectively, after 48 h. Data were analyzed by 3way ANOVA (α=5%). There was a significant interaction (p=0.003) between sex and species. For females, all groups recovered significant values (p≤0.027) compared with controls. For males, groups with Ct as single and dual-species showed the lowest values without difference (p≥0.183) with the control. The groups with triple-species showed the highest values but without difference (p≥0.071) with the groups with single and dual-species, except males with Ct. Ct alone showed reduced recovery from palate of male rats.

Incidence of Appendicitis in Adults

Background: Appendicitis is a common infection which can lead to serious illness in children as well as adults. Objective: To assess the incidence of appendicitis in adults. Study Design: Retrospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of General Surgery, Shalamar Medical & Dental College, Lahore from 1st January 2020 to 30th June 2021. Methodology: One hundred and eighty cases registered for abdominal pain in right iliac fossa. The appendectomy cases of adults (>45 years) were scrutinized from these cases. Demographic and clinical information was gathered from each appendicitis patient with diagnostic symptoms as well as histopathology and radiology imaging. Result: Eighty seven were confirmed acute appendicitis with 48 males and 39 females within the age group of 45-75 years. Gangrenous appendicitis was presented in 11.5% and perforated appendicitis was noticed in 31.03% of the total patients. Conclusion: The incidence of appendicitis was 48.33% in adults. Keywords: Appendectomy, Perforated, Misdiagnosis

Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 Resurgence in Areas Initially Under Control

Objectives: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and infection routes of new cases in order to provide information for preventing COVID-19 resurgence in areas initially under control.Methods: The information of new symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in Chinese mainland was collected. The location distribution, epidemic course, infection routes and patients' characteristics of outbreaks were described and analyzed.Results: There were 43 new outbreaks with 3,795 symptomatic patients in Chinese mainland from March 21, 2020 to June 13, 2021. These outbreaks mainly occurred in central, border and coastal port cities. The main infection route of first generation indigenous patients was contact with imported cases and contaminated goods or environments. The infection routes of secondary generation patients mainly included family transmission, indoor social gathering infection, nosocomial infection and other infection routes. Family transmission was the most common infection route, and indoor social gathering was the most important reason for the large-scale outbreaks.Conclusions: Strengthen the management of imported patients and staff in high-risk posts was the key point to avoid the first generation indigenous patients. Adequate family isolation, prompt management policies for indoor public place and monitor of population at risk of infection were key strategies for preventing COVID-19 resurgence in areas initially under control.

The Role of Plant Hormones in the Interaction of Colletotrichum Species with Their Host Plants

Colletotrichum is a plant pathogenic fungus which is able to infect virtually every economically important plant species. Up to now no common infection mechanism has been identified comparing different plant and Colletotrichum species. Plant hormones play a crucial role in plant-pathogen interactions regardless whether they are symbiotic or pathogenic. In this review we analyze the role of ethylene, abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, auxin and salicylic acid during Colletotrichum infections. Different Colletotrichum strains are capable of auxin production and this might contribute to virulence. In this review the role of different plant hormones in plant—Colletotrichum interactions will be discussed and thereby auxin biosynthetic pathways in Colletotrichum spp. will be proposed.

Clinical Features And Risk Factors For Infection In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: To explore the infection characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and related risk factors for infection. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 648 hospitalized patients with RA, including related risk factors that may cause infection and infection sites, pathogens, and drug resistance. Chi-square test 、Mann-Whitney U test and binary Logistic-regression analysis were used to identify risk factors.Results: 648 patients with RA were 182 cases of infection, the infection rate 28.09%. Common infection were pneumonia(19.60%), urinary tract infection(5.25%), upper respiratory tract infection(5.09%). Gram-negative bacteria ranked first in the pathogen composition (67.57%), the main pathogenic bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus was the main pathogenic bacteria among the Gram-positive bacteria . In addition, there were 7 strains of fungi, 3 strains each of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and herpes virus. The proportion of resistant strains was relatively high, and the gram-negative bacteria had a relatively high sensitivity to penicillins/cephalosporins+β-lactamase inhibitors, aminoglycosides, and carbopenems. The risk scores included higher age (P=0.020), long disesses duration (P=0.004), smoking (P=0.016), hypoproteinemia (P=0.010), use of corticosteroids (P<0.01).Use of nonbiologic DMARDs was negatively with infection(P= 0.006).Conclusions: Our results indicate that the common infection sites in patients with RA are the respiratory and urinary tract. Gram-negative bacteria are common pathogens. RA patients with higher age, long diseases duration, smoking, hypoproteinemia, and long-term use of corticosteroids are prone to infection. Nonbiologic DMARDs is significantly associated with a decreased risk for infection. The proportion of drug-resistant patients with RA co-infection is relatively high.

Prevalence of antibodies in Iraqi Urinary Tract Infection patients using radial immunodiffusion (RID) assay

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is an infection every place in the urinary tract that may be in the urethra, bladder, or kidneys by microbes. Greatest UTIs are affected by bacteria, but some are affected by fungi and, in rare cases, by viruses. UTI is the most significant common infection in humans. This study deals with the prevalence of antibodies in UTI patients; this study aims to determine the level of antibodies in UTI patients and compare with healthy controls by using the radial immunodiffusion (RID) test. The study was done during the period November 2019 to April 2020 on UTI Iraqi patients. The study included 40 patients and 20 healthy controls. Results show UTI infection occurs in females more than males also; the mean age is 40 years. All the patients with UTI showed decreased IgM serum levels and increased IgG compared with the control group. IgG, IgG, and IgM showed high significance between two UTI patients and the control group groups, while IgM doesn’t show significant differences between study groups.

A Literature Review on Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP), Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

: One of the most dangerous respiratory diseases is pneumonia, one of the ten leading causes of death globally. Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a common infection in hospitals, which is the second most common nosocomial infection and causes inflammation parenchyma. In Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), we have various risk factors, including age and gender, and also some specific risk factors. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the deadliest nosocomial infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, VAP is pneumonia that develops about 48 hours of an artificial airway. Bacterial, viral, parasitic, primordial, and other species can cause these diseases. We discuss bacterial factors. Our goal is to gather information about HAP, CAP, and VAP to give people specific information. In this study, these three issues have been examined together, but in similar studies, each of them has been examined separately, and our type of study will be more helpful in diagnosis and treatment.