This preliminary study evaluated the use of the Platelia Candida antigen kit for the diagnosis of invasive candidosis in 70 of 184 pre-term infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit between March 2004 and March 2006. The frequency of confirmed candidaemia was 6.5%. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 94.4% and 94.2%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 85% a...

BACKGROUND To evaluate associations between alterations in vaginal flora and clinical symptoms in low-risk pregnant women. METHODS Vaginal specimens from 245 pregnant women were analyzed by microscopy for vaginal flora. Signs and symptoms of vaginal infection were determined by patient interviews and gynecologic examinations. RESULTS Abnormal vaginal flora was identified in 45.7% of the sub...

Oral infections caused by yeast of the genus Candida and particularly Candida albicans (oral candidoses) have been recognised throughout recorded history. However, since the 1980s a clear surge of interest and associated research into these infections have occurred. This has largely been due to an increased incidence of oral candidosis over this period, primarily because of the escalation in HI...

A study of clotrimazole for the treatment of recurrent genital candidosis unexpectedly showed that symptoms and infection can be dissociated. The aim of the study was to see if intermittent antifungal treatment would reduce symptoms in women constantly distressed by recurrent genital candidosis. Forty women seriously affected by the condition were initially given oral and local antifungal treat...

The therapeutic activity of two new benzofuran-imidazoles, IM/B/4-62 and IM/B/4-66, formulated as 1% cream, has been evaluated against Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes by inducing experimental vaginal candidosis in female rats and dermatophytosis in female guinea pigs. Results of the treatment were compared with those obtained by the same therapeutic regimen carried out with bif...

Intravenous silica injections were used to assess the role of macrophages in the resistance of BALB/c nude and euthymic mice to systemic candidosis. CFU of Candida albicans in the kidneys, livers, and spleens of saline- or silica-treated mice were enumerated at various times after inoculation with 10(4) viable yeast cells. The number of C. albicans organisms recovered from the kidneys of silica...