Genotyping and Antifungal Susceptibility of Dipodascus capitatus Isolated in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a Sicilian Hospital
In August 2015, Dipodascus capitatus was isolated from two patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Nosocomial acquisition of the fungus was suspected and epidemiological studies were undertaken. The patients were simultaneously hospitalized, and the comparison of the two isolates by two independent molecular typing methods have confirmed clonal dissemination of a single strain of D. capitatus. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was useful for identifying the appropriated antifungal therapy in micafungin. To our knowledge these are the first described cases of neonatal D. capitatus infection and also the first report of successful treatment by micafungin.
Total body skin examination for skin cancer screening in patients with focused complaints
Background. The value of total body skin examination (TBSE) for skin cancer screening is controversial. Objective: We sought to determine whether TBSE could be helpful in patients with focused skin symptoms who would not otherwise have undergone TBSE. Methods: In a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study consecutive adult patients were recruited during a period of 18 months. Physicians first inspected, problem areas and uncovered areas and then performed TBSE. Equivocal lesions detected in both steps were excised or biopsied. Primary outcomes were the absolute and relative risks of missing skin cancer and the number of patients needed to examine to detect melanoma or another maligna…
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Diagnosis and Control
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)—or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—are generally acquired through sexual contact [...]
Candida auris: An Overview of How to Screen, Detect, Test and Control This Emerging Pathogen
The multidrug-resistant yeast Candida auris is associated with invasive infections in critically ill patients and has been isolated in different countries worldwide. Ease of spread, prolonged persistence in the environment and antifungal drug resistance pose a significant concern for the prevention of transmission and management of patients with C. auris infections. Early and correct identification of patients colonized with C. auris is critical in containing its spread. However, this may be complicated by C. auris strains being misidentified as other phylogenetically related pathogens. In this review, we offer a brief overview highlighting some of the critical aspects of sample collection,…
Helicobacter pylori and Epstein–Barr Virus Infection in Gastric Diseases: Correlation with IL-10 and IL1RN Polymorphism
Introduction. Helicobacter pylori and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection have recently been shown to be associated with gastric diseases. Polymorphisms in genes encoding cytokines such as interleukin 10 (IL-10) and interleukin 1 Receptor (IL-1RN) influence cytokine secretion levels and appear to contribute to the risk of developing gastroduodenal diseases. To our knowledge, this is the first preliminary study to address the association of coinfection with H. pylori and EBV and their correlation with genetic predisposition in the development of gastric diseases. Methods. Gastric biopsy samples of 96 patients with different gastric diseases were used. Results. Our results showed that the rate…