Candida species were detected in 30% of the patients. The mortality rate was 41% in patients with positive microbiology results for Candida, whereas it was 23% in the remaining patient cohort. This difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.124). Mortality associated with oesophageal perforation was attributed mainly to septic complications, such as mediastinitis and severe pneumonia. During the study period we observed a shift towards non-albicans species that were less susceptible or resistant

to fluconazole. In selected patients with risk factors as immunosuppression, granulocytopenia and long-term intensive-care treatment together with the finding Selleckchem PD-332991 of Candida, an antimycotic therapy should be started. A surgical approach offers the possibility to obtain deep tissue biopsies. The antimycotic therapy should start with an echinocandin, as the resistance to fluconazole is growing and to cover non-albicans Candida species, too. “
“The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA genes of 49 Histoplasma capsulatum (48 from clinical samples and one from soil) isolates

were examined. Nucleotide sequence heterogeneity within this region was useful for phylogenetic classification of H. capsulatum and species identification. Thus, in 45 of 49 isolates we observed higher percentages of identity in the nucleotide sequences of ITS regions when the isolates studied herein were compared with Galunisertib aminophylline those reported in our country in the South America B clade. Phylogenetic analyses of rDNA sequences corresponding

to the 537 bp of the ITS region obtained from H. capsulatum isolates assigned South America type B clade (45 isolates), North America type 1 and Asia clade (2 isolates each one). H. capsulatum strains isolated from soil and from patients living in Argentina (45 of 49) clustered together with the H. capsulatum isolates of the South America B clade. The high level of genetic similarity among our isolates suggests that almost one genetic population is present in the microenvironment. Isolates described as H. capsulatum var. capsulatum or var. farciminosum (2 isolates) did not form a monophyletic group and were found in the Asia clade. Subsequent studies are needed to properly identify these isolates. “
“We summarise a recent meeting, sponsored by Pfizer Inc., where experts in Asia shared their clinical experience in managing IC. The echinocandins have demonstrated good activity against non-albicans infections and also azole-resistant strains, both preclinically and in recent clinical trials. As well as proving efficacious, echinocandins have a favourable safety profile and are well tolerated, including among inpatient subpopulations, such as transplant recipients and those with renal or hepatic dysfunction.