后程超分割治疗与鼻咽癌大容积原发肿瘤疗效关系的研究

目的:探讨常规分割放疗(CFRT)与后程超分割放疗(LHRT)对鼻咽癌大容积(≥60cm3)原发肿瘤的疗效关系。方法:无远处转移的182例初治鼻咽癌(T2～4N0～3Mo)。治疗前根据CT资料勾画鼻咽癌原发肿瘤,容积(≥60cm3),采用CFRT或LHRT照射,N3的病例均加用辅助化疗,分析比较两组疗效。结果:鼻咽癌大容积≥60cm3原发肿瘤无论T分期,采用LHRT较CFRT治疗,患者原发灶5年控制率对比有统计学意义。N0～2的患者无远处转移生存率对比,亦有统计学意义。结论:鼻咽癌大容积原发肿瘤无论T分期,(N0～2)后程采用超分割照射可提高鼻咽癌控制率及无瘤生存率,但N3的患者虽鼻咽癌控率可提高,但无远处转移生存率未见统计学意义的差异。     

~(60)Co外照射加高剂量率腔内后装放射治疗鼻咽癌长期观察

目的 :分析6 0 Co外照射加高剂量率后装腔内放射治疗鼻咽癌的长期疗效及晚期放射性并发症。材料与方法 :回顾性分析 1 981年 6月至 1 988年 1 2月采用6 0 Co外照射加高剂量率后装腔内放射治疗鼻咽癌 64例。本组病例都随访 5年以上 ,失访者作死亡统计。结果 :本组病例 5年局部控制率为 82 .8% (5 3 /64)。 5年生存率和无瘤生存率分别为 75 .0 % (4 8/64)和 68.8% (4 4 /64)。鼻咽局部复发 6例 ,远处转移 8例、鼻腔骨肉瘤者 1例。晚期放射并发症 ,鼻腔死骨形成 1例 ,软硬腭骨穿孔 4例。结论 :后装腔内放射治疗适当减少鼻咽癌外照射剂量 ,增加鼻咽腔内加量照射。适应于鼻咽早期原发肿瘤和鼻咽癌外照射后鼻咽腔内残留病灶。为了减少鼻咽腔内晚期放射性并发症值得进一步改进鼻咽施源器     

影响鼻咽癌放射治疗疗效的因素分析

目的 探讨影响鼻咽癌放射治疗疗效的因素。方法 回顾性总结首程放疗的l006例鼻咽癌患者的临床资料，均采用60Co常规分割剂量照射，分段放疗。结果 全组总5年生存率为41．5％，10年生存率为25．7％，Ⅰ，Ⅱ期5、10年生存率明显高于Ⅲ，Ⅳ期(P＜0．01)，肿瘤局限鼻咽腔者5、l0年生存率明显高于肿瘤侵出鼻咽腔者(P＜0．01)，颅神经损害和(或)颅底骨破坏显著影响患者生存率(P＜0．01)，颈淋巴结转移也显著影响患者生存率(P＜0．01)，照射剂量对生存率有一定影响。结论 临床分期、鼻咽原发肿瘤侵出鼻咽腔、颈淋巴结转移、颅神经损害和(或)颅底骨破坏、照射剂量是影响鼻咽癌放射治疗疗效的主要因素。     

晚期鼻咽癌36例放射治疗的远期疗效

目的分析晚期鼻咽癌治疗结果和预后影响因素.方法采用Kaplan-meier(或寿命表法)计算生存率及无瘤生存率.结果放疗后5年生存率及无瘤生存率分别为38.89%、22.05%.4年内发生远地转移者为20例.鼻咽癌生存率与临床分期,颈淋巴结大小有明显关系,Ⅲ期较Ⅳ期5年生存率高(P＜0.05),颈淋巴结≤6cm者较颈淋巴结＞6cm者5年生存率高(P＜0.05).结论临床分期及颈淋巴结大小均是影响预后的独立因素.晚期鼻咽癌放射治疗失败的主要原因是远地转移.     

鼻咽癌后程加速超分割放射治疗失败因素分析

目的分析鼻咽癌后程加速超分割放射治疗后局部和远处失败的因素.方法对无远地转移的178例初治鼻咽低分化鳞癌行后程加速超分割放射治疗.原发灶采用60Co γ射线或6MV X射线,前4周1.2 Gy/次,2次/d,间隔≥6 h,5 d/周,48 Gy后改为1.5 Gy/次,2次/d,5 d/周,共2周.全程总剂量为78 Gy,60分次,6周,其中疗程超过47 d的病例均增加1 d的照射量(1.2 Gy/次或1.5 Gy/次,2次/d).颈部无淋巴结转移者做预防照射,有淋巴结转移者给予根治量照射,均为常规分割放射治疗.结果全组5年总生存率及无瘤生存率分别为72.4%和60.6%,5年鼻咽部及颈部控制率分别为88.9%和83.7%.5年远地转移率25.1%.5年内67例患者失败,其中单纯鼻咽部失败10例,颈部失败13例,远地转移31例,≥2项失败13例.单因素及多因素分析显示T3～T4期、年龄>50岁和颈动脉鞘区肿瘤完全占据是局部控制的不利预后因素.在单因素分析中有淋巴结转移是影响颈部控制率的不利因素,但多因素分析差异未达统计学意义(P>0.05).在影响远地转移的因素中,局部晚期T3～T4期或N2～N3期,男性不论在单因素还是多因素分析均显示有统计学意义.有上述不良预后因素的患者,远地转移明显增加.结论后程加速超分割放射治疗可以提高鼻咽癌患者的5年局部控制率和生存率.T3～T4期和(或)N2～N3期是影响局部控制率和远地转移率的重要不利因素.对局部晚期患者应联合其他全身方法进行治疗.     

840例鼻咽癌预后的多因素分析

目的：探讨鼻咽癌放射治疗预后的影响因素，为规范鼻咽癌放射治疗提供参考。方法：对1996年1月至2001年12月在本院接受放疗的840例鼻咽癌病例进行回顾性分析。采用Kaplan—Meier法计算鼻咽局部控制率、无瘤生存率及总生存率，差别显著性检验采用Log—rank法，Cox回归模型分析影响预后的因素。结果：1）全组3、5、10年鼻咽局部控制率分别为70．6％、56．7％和36．6％，无瘤生存率分别为66．8％、51．8％和32，0％，总生存率分别为7318％、58．6％和39．4％；2）单因素分析结果显示性别、年龄、临床分期、T分期、N分期、有无颅底侵犯、有无颅神经侵犯、有无副鼻窦侵犯、有无颈部淋巴结转移、单侧／双侧颈部淋巴结转移、颈部转移淋巴结的部位、鼻咽腔内后装近距离治疗、外照射分割方式、有无化疗等因素对鼻咽局部控制率、无瘤生存率及总生存率的影响有显著性差异（P=0．00或〈0．05），鼻咽部照射剂量对鼻咽局部控制率、总生存率的影响有显著性差异（P〈0．05），颈动脉鞘区侵犯者无瘤生存率低于无侵犯者（P〈0.05），但不影响鼻咽局部控制率及总生存率（P〉0．05）；3）多因素分析结果显示性别、年龄、临床分期、T分期、单侧，双侧颈部淋巴结转移、鼻咽腔内后装近距离治疗是影响鼻咽部局部控制率、无瘤生存率及总生存率的独立预后因素；4）分层分析结果显示T2-T3期辅助高剂量率腔内后装近距离治疗的患者鼻咽局部控制率、无瘤生存率及总生存率均显著高于不加腔内治疗者（P〈0．01～0．05），而T1、T4期患者外照射后加用高剂量率腔内后装近距离治疗并未提高其鼻咽局部控制率、无瘤生存率及总生存率（P〉0．05）。结论：鼻咽癌临床分期（特别是T分期）晚期和，或双侧颈部淋巴结转移和，或男性患者预后不佳，在外照射的基础上加用鼻咽腔内后装放疗可改善T2-T3期患者的预后。     

147例鼻咽癌调强放疗结果分析

目的 总结我院鼻咽癌调强放疗的经验和结果.方法 5年内采用调强放疗初程鼻咽癌患者147例.T1-2期38例鼻咽原发病变靶区(GTVnx)和阳性淋巴结(GTVnd)的处方剂量为70.0～72.6 Gy,高危区(CTV1)处方剂量为60Gy,低危区(CTV2)处方剂量为50Gy.T3-4期109例GTVnx74`78Gy,其他靶区处方剂量同T1-2期.局部控制率、生存率用Kaplan-Meier方法计算.结果 中位随访时间15个月,全组3年局部控制率、总生存率、无瘤生存率和无远转生存率分别为93.2%、93.5%、72.6%～1174.4%,T1-2、T3-4期局部控制率分别为100%和86.9%(P=0.007),总生存率为95.5%和91.3%(P=0.030).N0-1和N2-3期的总生存率、无瘤生存率、无远转生存率分别为99%和68.5%(P=0.030)、79%和64.O%(P=0.004)、81%和65.2%(P=0.000).急性腮腺功能损伤1+2级为96.6%,3级为1.4%,2级发生于放疗后3、6个月和1、2年的分别为43.0%、12.O%和4.9%、3.2%.结论 鼻咽癌凋强放疗方案取得了很好的疗效同时保护了腮腺功能.     

临床Ⅱ期鼻咽癌根治性常规分割放疗预后分析

目的 分析临床Ⅱ期鼻咽癌根治性常规分割放疗疗效,探讨进一步提高疗效方法.方法 回顾分析1999年前9年余内首程治疗的216例患者的预后及影响因素.采用直线加速器6 MVX线和9～12 MeV电子线常规分割照射.26例外照射DT70 Gy仍有原发灶残存的,18例接受腔内近距离治疗,8例接受立体定向放疗推量照射.结果 临床Ⅱ期中T2N0M0、T1N1M0和T2N1M0期患者10年总生存率分别为90%、80%和75.2%(χ2=3.26,P=0.200);无瘤生存率分别为79%、60%和62.6%(χ2=5.87,P=0.053);无远处转移生存率分别为90%、74%和68.0%(χ2=7.09,P=0.030).单因素分析显示T分期对总生存(χ2=0.36,P=0.550)、无瘤生存(χ2=0.44,P:0.500)和无远处转移生存(χ2=0.25,P=0.610)的均无影响,N分期影响无瘤生存率(χ2=5.86,P=0.015)和无远处转移生存率(χ2=5.31,P=0.021).多因素分析显示N分期是无瘤生存率(χ2=5.03,P=0.025)和无远处转移生存率(χ2=6.47,P=0.011)的独立预后因素.结论 淋巴结阳性的Ⅱ期鼻咽癌单纯放疗是不够的,应考虑与化疗结合以提高无瘤生存率和降低远处转移.     

晚期鼻咽癌36例放射治疗的远期疗效

目的：分析晚期鼻咽癌治疗结果和预后影响因素。方法：采用Kaplan-meier（或寿命表法）计算生存率及无瘤生存率。结果：放疗后5年生存率及无瘤生存率分别为38．89％、22．05％。4年内发生远地转移为20例。鼻咽癌生存率与临床分期,颈淋巴结大小有明显关系,Ⅲ期较Ⅳ期5年生存率高（P＜0．05）。颈淋巴结≤6cm较颈淋巴结＞6cm5年生存率高（P＜0．05）。结论：临床分期及颈淋巴结大小均是影响预后的独立因素。晚期鼻咽癌放射治疗失败的主要原因是远地转移。     

同期放、化疗治疗T3～4N0～1鼻咽癌的前瞻性临床研究

目的　探讨PF方案联合放射治疗T3～ 4N0～ 1晚期鼻咽癌的疗效。方法　 76例T3～ 4N0～ 1鼻咽癌分放、化疗组 (综合组 )、单放组 ;综合组联合DDP 30～ 4 0mg、5 -Fu 5 0 0～ 75 0mg同期化疗 ,每周一次 ,共 5～ 7次 ;综合组、对照组均采用后程超分割放疗 ,鼻咽部DT 74～ 80GY。结果　放疗后 6个月 ,综合组、对照组鼻咽肿物全消退率分别为 84 .6 1%、6 2 .16 % (P =0 .0 4 19) ,1、2、3年局控率分别为 10 0 .0 0 %、92 .30 %、74 .35 % ;10 0 .0 0 %、78.37%、5 1.35 % ,1、2、3年生存率分别为 92 .30 %、84 .6 1%、76 .92 % ;86 .4 8%、6 7.5 6 %、5 4 .0 5 % ;两组 1、2年局控率、生存率无差异 ;3年局控率、生存率综合组均较对照组高 ,有显著差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　T3～ 4N0～ 1鼻咽癌应以局部控制为主 ,同期低剂量增敏化疗、后程超分割放疗有较好的疗效 ;化疗的毒副反应可耐受     

The medically important dematiaceous fungi and their identification

Dematiaceous fungi include a large group of organisms that are darkly pigmented (dark brown, olivaceous, or black). In most cases the pigment is melanin, and specifically, dihydroxynaphthalene melanin. The diseases produced include chromoblastomycosis, eumycotic mycetoma, and phaeohyphomycosis. Phaeohyphomycosis is a new classification for a diverse group of previously known entities grouped together on the basis of finding dematiaceous hyphal and/or yeast-like forms in tissue; tissue involvement may be superficial, cutaneous and corneal, subcutaneous, or systemic. Identification of these fungi is based mostly upon morphology. Important structures include annellides (Phaeoannellomyces, Exophiala), phialides (Phialophora, Wangiella), adelophialides (Phialemonium without collarettes, Lecythophora with collarettes), differentiation of conidiophores (Xylohypha versus Cladosporium) and conidial hilum, septation and germination (Bipolaris, Drechslera, Exserohilum). Useful laboratory tests include the 12% gelatin test (controversial), nitrate assimilation (W. dermatitidis is negative, most other species are positive), and determination of temperature maxima (especially 37 degrees C for E. jeanselmei, 40 degrees C for W. dermatitidis and B. spicifera, 42 degrees C for X. bantiana, and 45 degrees C for Dactylaria constricta var. gallopava and Scedosporium inflatum).     

Orale Langzeitbehandlung von Onychomykosen mit Ketoconazol

Zusammenfassung: An der Studie zur Wirksamkeit und Anwendungssicherheit von Ketoconazol nahmen 27 Männer im Alter von 20 bis 80 (Median: 57) Jahre, davon 18 mit Onychomykosen und 9 als KontroUen bei den Laborwertbestimmungen, teil. Während des ersten Behandlungsmonats erhielten je 9 Patienten 200 mg und 400 mg Ketoconazol täglich. Danach wurden beide Gruppen 6 Monate mit 200 mg/d weiterbehandelt. Die klinische Beurteilung sowie hämatologische, biochemische und Plasmaspiegeluntersu-chungen erfolgten mindestens monafich, mykologische Untersuchungen wurden vor Aufnahme und bei Beendigung der Therapie vorgenommen. Erne letzte klinische Unter-suchung erfolgte 1 Jahr nach Beginn der Studie. Nach 7 Monaten Behandlung wurden 23 von 30 Nägeln mit “gebessert” bis “stark gebessert” beurteilt, nach dem behandlungsfreien Intervall galt dies für 28 von 30 Nägeln. Die Plasmaspiegel waren mit 200 mg/d ausreichend und uber den Behandlungszeit-raum konstant. Dies spricht für gute orale Resorption und Abwesenheit von Enzyminduktion. Die Laborwerte zeigten im Vergleich zu den Kontrollen und den Werten vor Behandlung keine signifikanten Abweichungen, so daß myelo-, nephro- und hepatotoxische Wirkungen von 400 bzw. 200 mg/d ausgeschlossen werden können. Der Lipidhaushalt wurde nicht beeinfluat und es trat unter Therapie als Folge der Ketoconazolwirkung lediglich Lanosterin im Serum auf. Nach Beendigung der Therapie ging der Lanosteringehalt schnell zurück. Damit erweist sich Ketoconazol in den angewandten Dosen als ein gut verträgliches und zur Langzeitbehandlung von Onychomykosen geeignetes Antimykotikum. Summary: Twenty-seven males with a median age of 57 (range: 20 to 80) years took part in this study on the efficacy and safety of ketoconazole. Eighteen men suffered from onychomycosis; nine served as controls in the safety evaluation. During the first month of treatment, nine patients received 200 mg and the nine other 400 mg ketoconazole daily. Then the treatment was uniformly continued with 200 mg/d for 6 months. Clinical evaluation and haematological, biochemical and plasma level investigations were carried out at least at monthly intervals; mycological controls were performed at the start and end of therapy. A final clinical evaluation was carried out one year after the start of the study. After 7 months of treatment, moderate or definite clinical improvement was obtained in 23 out of 30 nails. After 5 more months without antimycotic treatment this was the case in 28 of 30 nails. Plasma levels obtained with 200 mg ketoconazole daily were adequate and constant during the entire treatment period. This indicates a good oral resorption as well as the absence of induction of hepatic enzymes. The laboratory values did not show significant deviations as compared with the controls or with the pretreatment values. This excludes myelo-, nephro- and hepatotoxic effects of 400 and 200 mg ketoconazole daily. The lipid metabolism was not influenced, the only difference was the occurrence of lanosterol in the serum, which is a result of the mechanism of action of ketoconazole. After the medication period the lanosterol levels subsided rapidly. In the applied doses ketoconazole is a well-tolerated and effective drug for the systemic long-term treatment of onychomycosis.     

裘法祖教授生平

Prof.Fazu Qiu,member of the Chinese Communist Party,surgery professor of Tongji Hospital,departed in Tongji Hospital,Wuhan,China,at fourteen to nine a.m,June 14,2008,after a disease.He turns 94 this year.He was the senior academician of the Academia Sinica,the illustrious medical scientist of China,and the Honorary Director of Tongji Medical College,as well as Huazhong University of Science & Technology.     

Dermatomycosis in Dogs

During the routine examination of dogs for cutaneous lesions, 205 dogs were screened for fungi other than dermatophytes. Twenty-two dogs (10.8%) revealed the presence of non-dermatophytic fungi suspicious for representing the etiologic agents of the skin lesions. The fungi isolated were Alternaria sp. (2.9%), Penicillium sp. (2.4%), Aspergillus fumigatus (2.0%), Mucor sp. (1.5%), Cladosporium sp. (1.5%) and Fusarium sp. (0.5%). No dermatophyte was isolated in association with these fungi. The incidence of these infections was found to be greater in warm and humid climate.     

Laboratory Techniques Alternative to In Vivo Experiments for Studying the Liberation, Penetration and Fungicidal Action of Topical Antimycotic Agents in the Skin, Including Ciclopiroxolamine

Summary: Short-term experiments on excised skin (human, pig) gave the following results: 1. In the tissue activity test with direct inoculation (D-TAT) commercial preparations of the non-azole antimycotics ciclopiroxolamine, tolnaftate and naftifine, produced higher inhibitory activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes (standard strain) in various levels of the horny layer than were produced by the azole antimycotics econazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, oxiconazole and bifonazole. Fast drying solutions of antimycotics invariably gave higher inhibitory activities than creams. In the ultrafiltration tissue activity test (UFT- TAT) against Candida albicans (2 strains), antimycotic agents ranked in order of effectiveness as follows: ciclopiroxolamine – most of the azole antimycotics – bifonazole and naftifine. 2. In tests of fungicidal activity against T. mentagrophytes (2 strains) and Microsporum gypseum (1 strain) the first step was to inoculate the skin surface. After the horny layer had been penetrated by fungal mycelia, antimycotic agents of documented fungicidal potency, chiefly in the form of creams, were applied to the skin surface and left to act for up to 18 hours. The horny layer and epidermis were then scraped off and the concentration of viable fungi was determined. Ciclopiroxolamine cream and lotion produced by far the greatest diminution in viable fungi; creams containing oxiconazole and naftifine were moderately effective and those containing tioconazole and bifonazole produced a relatively small decrease in viable fungi. To avoid erroneous results it is important to homogenize and dilute the skin scrapings; if this is not done certain antimycotics will give misleadingly high fungal killing rates. At this early stage the scatter of results is still wide and minor differences in efficacy cannot as yet be detected with certainty. 3. From the results of various comparative tests it is evident that pig skin can be used as a substitute for human skin in the tests listed under 1. and 2. above. This discovery may make a valuable contribution towards limiting the need for experiments on living animals and trials on human beings. Zusammenfassung: In Kurzzeitversuchen an exzidierter Haut (Mensch, Schwein) wurde gefunden: 1. Im Gewebeaktivitätstest mit direkter Inokulation (D-GAT) wurde mit Handelspräparaten der Nichtazol-Antimykotika Ciclopiroxolamin, Tolnaftat und Naftifin in verschiedenen Hornschichtniveaus eine höhere Hemmaktivität gegenüber Trichophyton mentagrophytes (Standard-Stamm) erzielt als mit solchen der Azol-Antimykotika Econazol, Miconazol, Clotrimazol, Oxiconazol und Bifonazol. Rasch trocknende Lösungen von Antimykotika ergaben durchweg höhere Hemmaktivitäten als Cremes. Im Ultrafiltrations-Gewebeaktivitätstest (UFT-GAT) gegenüber Candida albicans (2 Stämme) ergab sich nach erzielter Wirksamkeit die Rangfolge Ciclopiroxolamine – Mehrzahl der Azolantimykotika – Bifonazol und Naftifin. 2. In Fungizidie-Testen gegenüber T. mentagrophytes (2 Stämme) und Microsporum gypseum (1 Stamm) wurde zunächst die Hautoberfläche inokuliert. Nach Durchdringung der Hornschicht mit Pilzmyzelien wirkten auf die Hautoberfläche bis zu 18 Stunden lang überwiegend Cremes von als fungizid publizierten Antimykotika ein. Während sich in abgeschabter Hornschicht und Epidermis der so bearbeiteten Hautoberflächen mit Ciclopiroxolamin-Creme und -Lotion die weitaus höchste Verminderung lebensfähiger Keime ergab, bewirkten Cremes mit Oxiconazol und Naftifin eine mittlere und solche mit Tioconazol und Bifonazol eine relativ niedrige Keimeliminierung. Zur Vermeidung von fehlerhaften Ergebuissen mußten Homogenisierung und Verdünnung der Hautschabsel erfolgen, anderenfalls bei mehreren Antimykotika eine zu hohe Keimabtötung vorgetäuscht worden wäre. Wegen der vorerst noch hohen Streuung der Ergebnisse können kleinere Wirksamkeitsunterschiede noch nicht sicher erfaßt werden. 3. Nach dem Ergebnis verschiedener Vergleichstests kann in den Testen zu 1. und 2. Schweinehaut als Ersatz für Haut vom Menschen dienen und dürfte damit wesentlich zur Einschränkung von Versuchen am lebenden Tier und von Prüfungen am Menschen beitragen.     

Oncogénétique et psycho-oncologie, une collaboration recommandée...

Résumé: La possibilité depuis 1994, de connaître la probabilité individuelle de développer certains cancers a permis de proposer de nouvelles modalités de prévention, de traitements et contribué au développement actuel de loncogénétique. Une meilleure connaissance des répercussions psychologiques tant pour les patients que pour les apparentés est désormais possible et limplication des psycho-oncologues dans ce cadre de la réalisation des tests prédictifs, recommandée. La mission de «messager» qui incombe au «cas-index» doit faire lobjet dune attention particulière. La complexité de linformation et la dimension paradoxale que peut avoir parfois la communication à propos des choix, rend difficile lévaluation de la qualité du consentement. La situation particulièrement délicate dune aide à la décision à légard de la chirurgie prophylactique, exige une collaboration étroite des généticiens et des psycho-oncologues.Les soins de support en oncologie     

The role of papillomaviruses in human cancers

This review comprehensively evaluates the influence of gene-gene, gene-environment and multiple interactions on the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods of studying these interactions and their limitations have been discussed herein. There is a need to develop biomarkers of exposure and of risk that are sensitive, specific, present in the pathway of the disease, and that have been clinically tested for routine use. The influence of inherited variation (polymorphism) in several genes has been discussed in this review; however, due to study limitations and confounders, it is difficult to conclude which ones are associated with the highest risk (either individually or in combination with environmental factors) to CRC. The majority of the sporadic cancer is believed to be due to modification of mutation risk by other genetic and/or environmental factors. Micronutrient deficiency may explain the association between low consumption of fruit/vegetables and CRC in human studies. Mitochondrial modulation by dietary factors influences the balance between cell renewal and death critical in colon mucosal homeostasis. Both genetic and epigenetic interactions are intricately dependent on each other, and collectively influence the process of colorectal tumorigenesis. The genetic and environmental interactions present a good prospect and a challenge for prevention strategies for CRC because they support the view that this highly prevalent cancer is preventable.     

Antifungal combination therapy in localized candidosis

A mouse model of localized candidosis in air-filled subcutaneous cysts imitating thrush has been developed. We have now tested various antifungal combinations in this animal model. Flucytosine (5-FC) + amphotericin B (Amph B) showed the highest efficacy, a clear additive or even synergistic effect was seen. The combination of 5-FC + imidazole or triazole derivative was less efficacious, an additive effect was rare. The combination of 5-FC + Amph B was also tested against Candida albicans strains showing various degrees of 5-FC-resistance. A significant reduction in 5-FC-resistant mutants was seen after the treatment with the combination.     

Efficiency of crude and purified fungal antigens in serodiagnosis to discriminate mycotic from other respiratory diseases

Mycotic immunodiagnosis was performed in 186 hospitalized patients with different respiratory diseases, mostly considered as tuberculosis and others with a doubtful diagnosis. Crude histoplasmin, coccidioidin, paracoccidioidin, blastomycin, candidin, aspergillin, and sporotrichin, as well as purified polysaccharide-protein complexes (PPC) of Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis, and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis were used as antigens. Immune tests used included skin test (ST), gel immunodiffusion (ID), counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), complement fixation (CF), and ELISA. A possible association with candidosis was observed in 17% of patients with tuberculosis and diabetes; one presumptive paracoccidioidomycosis, one confirmed aspergillosis, and six cases of active histoplasmosis were determined. Candidin ST showed 29% of positive reactions with an increased frequency in patients between 31 and 55 years of age. CF test showed the highest positivity percentages with crude antigens, specially for Candida antigen (26.3%) and histoplasmin (18.2%). Cross reactions were evident with crude antigens but decreased when PPC's were used in ELISA.