European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
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Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. · Aug 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialGlobal distribution and outcomes for Candida species causing invasive candidiasis: results from an international randomized double-blind study of caspofungin versus amphotericin B for the treatment of invasive candidiasis.
In a randomized study, caspofungin was compared with amphotericin B for the treatment of invasive candidiasis in a total of 239 adults from 56 sites in 20 countries. This study provided a unique opportunity to assess the frequency and outcome of invasive candidiasis caused by different Candida species worldwide, and the results are presented here. Efficacy was primarily assessed at the end of intravenous therapy using a modified intent-to-treat (MITT) analysis. ⋯ Outcomes were comparable for patients treated with caspofungin (74% overall; 64% and 80% for infections due to Candida albicans and non- albicans species) and amphotericin B (62% overall; 58% and 68% for infections due to Candida albicans and non- albicans species), and were generally similar across continents. The distribution of Candida species isolated from patients enrolled in a clinical trial may not be representative of pathogens causing invasive candidiasis in the general population. Nevertheless, our findings may affect the regional choice of empirical antifungal therapy for seriously ill patients with suspected or documented invasive candidiasis since different Candida species have varying susceptibility to conventional antifungal drugs.
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Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. · Jul 2003
Case ReportsPerianal abscess due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae: an unusual case in the post-antibiotic era.
Described here is the case of a 21-year-old homosexual male patient who presented with perianal abscess without urethritis that was caused by infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Incision and drainage of the abscess and oral penicillin therapy resulted in full healing, without the development of an anal fistula. The spectrum of gonococcal abscesses and the relevant aspects of their management are discussed.
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Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. · Jun 2003
PCR-based methodology for detecting multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing family circulating in Russia.
The Beijing genotype of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been identified in 40-50% of the clinical isolates studied in Russia during the last decade. This genotype has been reported to be associated with multiple drug resistance and possesses some significant pathogenic properties. Therefore, early identification of such strains is of extreme importance in the timely detection of drug resistance. ⋯ The multiplex allele-specific (MAS)-PCR assays were further used to detect mutations in katG315 and rpoB531, associated with resistance to isoniazid and rifampin, respectively. The katG315 and rpoB531 mutations were found to be more prevalent among Beijing (96.8% and 77.3%) than among non-Beijing strains (85.7% and 28%). Consequently, we propose a two-step methodology based on routine PCR and simple agarose gel electrophoresis in order to detect (i) a Beijing family strain using IS 6110-PCR, and, (ii) its possible resistance to the major anti-tuberculosis drugs using specific MAS-PCR assays.