bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perniosis‐like tinea corporis caused by Trichophyton verrucosum in cold‐exposed individuals
Authors: Placzek M. , Van Den Heuvel M. E. , Flaig M. J. , Korting H. C. 
Published: October 2006

Summary Trichophyton verrucosum is a zoophilic infectious agent causing 98% of the dermatophytic infections of cattle. Transmission to humans has, until recently, been rare. One reason for an increase of infection in humans and animals seems to be the decrease in immunisation of cattle. We report on three cases of pertinent human infections with disseminated, sharply defined, bluish red, partly oedematous nodules and plaques in particular not only on the thighs, but also on the trunk and arms. Two of our patients work with farm animals. The third one works as an assistant in a butcher shop, but lives on a cow farm. All three patients are often exposed to the cold. In all three cases T. verrucosum was detected by culture. Tinea corporis was histologically confirmed in two patients. Based on the microbiological results, we began a combined systemic and local antimycotic therapy with fluconazole 50 mg day−1 in two patients, itraconazole 100 mg day−1 in one patient p.o. combined with topical ciclopiroxolamine. All patients were cured. Dermatophytosis caused by T. verrucosum can, under certain circumstances, such as frequent exposure to cold or a long‐term corticosteroid therapy, mimic the characteristic clinical picture of perniosis, as we demonstrate here.
Fluconazole and itraconazole susceptibilities of Candida spp. isolated from oropharyngeal specimens and blood cultures of paediatric haematology/oncology patients
Authors: Kennedy H. F. , Shankland G. S. , Bagg J. , Chalmers E. A. , Gibson B. E. S. , Williams C. L. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryThis study examined the in vitro susceptibilities to fluconazole and itraconazole of isolates of Candida spp. from surveillance oropharyngeal specimens and blood cultures from paediatric patients with malignancy. The species distribution of 100 isolates from oropharyngeal specimens was C. albicans 86%, C. glabrata 7%, C. lusitaniae 4%, C. parapsilosis 2% and C. tropicalis 1%. From a total of nine isolates from blood cultures the species distribution was C. albicans 33.3%, C. parapsilosis 33.3 % and C. guilliermondii 33.3%. Only three of the oropharyngeal isolates were resistant to fluconazole (MIC ≥ 64 mg l−1) and only two were resistant to itraconazole (MIC ≥ 1 mg l−1). None of the blood culture isolates was resistant to either agent. At this centre, C. albicans is the predominant species from oropharyngeal specimens, but non‐albicans Candida species predominate in blood cultures. Although resistance to fluconazole and itraconazole is rare at present, continued surveillance is warranted to monitor trends in species distribution and antifungal susceptibility.
Respiratory allergies in Venezuela: are fungi responsible?
Authors: Galante David , Hartung de Capriles Claudia , Mata‐Essayag Sofía , Conesa Angela , Córdova Yuraima , Trejo Ernesto , Tassinari Paolo 
Published: October 2006

SummaryExposure to fungi in the indoor environment may trigger hypersensitivity to a variety of fungi and is known to be an influencing factor in allergic rhinitis and asthma. A wide list of airborne fungal spores and dust containing fungi have been described for different environments; however, their clinical relevance is seldom clear. In this survey we measure levels of fungi indoor and outdoor of domestic dwellings of 10 patients with known chronic allergic respiratory disease to fungi. To measure hypersensitivity to fungi, Prick (sensitivity to fungi), RAST (specific serum IgE levels) and PAR (persistent allergic rhinitis) severity are assessed in relation to fungal load in the environment. Only association of PAR and indoor fungal load were found to be significant (P = 0.1648). No direct causality with sensitivity to the amount of exposure, or a hypersensitivity to a specific fungal genus could be established. There is still no consensus on the most relevant methods for measuring personal exposure and ‘no safe levels’ have been established yet.
Prevalence of dermatophytosis in junior secondary schoolchildren in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Popoola T. O. S. , Ojo D. A. , Alabi R. O. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryA total of 2772 randomly selected junior secondary school pupils (aged 8–14) from 60 schools were examined for dermatophytic infections by direct microscopy and culture‐based laboratory diagnostic methods. Of these, 641 (23.21%) had dermatophytosis. Out of these, 376 (13.56%) were male while 265 (9.56%) were female. Aetiological agents identified with infection were Microsporum canis (30.19%), Microsporum audouinii (32.92%), Trichophyton interdigitale (14.37%), Trichophyton soudanense (9.73%) and Trichophyton tonsurans (12.05%). Most of the dermatophytes encountered were anthropophilic species. Microsporum canis was the only zoophilic dermatophyte. Differences were not observed in infection pattern for all the different geo‐political zones that make up the state. The head and the skin of the students were more frequently infected than the nails and toes. Infection frequency increased steadily up to age 11 after which it drastically decreased.
Isolation of Exophiala dermatitidis from endotracheal aspirate of a cancer patient
Authors: Taj‐Aldeen S. J. , El Shafie S. , Alsoub H. , Eldeeb Y. , De Hoog G. S. 
Published: October 2006

Summary Exophiala (Wangiella) dermatitidis is a melanised (darkly pigmented) yeast‐like organism that has been reported from the environment and wild animals. The organism is a frequent coloniser of lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis and causes occasional disseminated phaeohyphomycosis and fungaemia. Exophiala dermatitidis is distributed worldwide, but cerebral cases are restricted to East Asia. We report a case of 54‐year‐old Qatari female patient with a known history of cancer, suffering from pulmonary disorder. Culture of endotracheal aspirate revealed the growth of E. dermatitidis concomitant with Candida krusei. The final diagnosis of E. dermatitidis and attribution to genotype B was achieved by sequencing the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The present case concerns a pulmonary colonisation by E. dermatitidis, similar to that commonly seen in cystic fibrosis patients. For the detection of E. dermatitidis in clinical specimens culturing techniques are required. The patient finally expired with persistent cancer and C. krusei fungaemia. Review of literature and listing of E. dermatitidis cases published after 1992 show a sharp increase in clinical cases during the 1990s.
Study of the ITS region in an atypical isolate and comparison with six species of Microsporum
Authors: Leon‐Mateos A. , Paredes‐Suárez C. , Pereiro M. , Toribio J. 
Published: October 2006

Summary Microsporum species are a frequent cause of cutaneous mycoses in humans. Atypical strains of Microsporum can sometimes be difficult to identify with conventional methods. Recently, we have obtained a Microsporum isolate with atypical morphology and special nutritional requirements (Microsporum CHUS‐126‐02). As several molecular techniques have been developed for the identification of fungi, we analysed six Microsporum species (M. canis, M. gypseum, M. gallinae, M. nanum, M. ferrugineum and M. persicolor) in order to compare them with our isolate, by using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction enzyme analysis (PCR‐REA). We studied the nucleotide sequence of the internal transcribed spacer regions from the nuclear DNA encoding for the ribosomal domain. Digestion with MvaI and EcoRI endonucleases obtained specific patterns for M. gypseum, M. gallinae, M. nanum and M. persicolor. Microsporum canis, M. ferrugineum and Microsporum CHUS‐126‐02 yielded the same patterns. Based on these results and phenotypic criteria, we classified our atypical isolate as M. canis.
A 5‐year (2000–2004) epidemiological survey of Candida and non‐Candida yeast species causing vulvovaginal candidiasis in Graz, Austria
Authors: Paulitsch A. , Weger W. , Ginter‐Hanselmayer G. , Marth E. , Buzina W. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryVulvovaginal candidasis (VVC) is a common disease. The majority of cases is caused by Candida albicans, but in recent years an increase has been observed in the frequency of non‐albicans Candida infections, especially due to C. glabrata and C. tropicalis. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of non‐albicans Candida infections in patients suffering from VVC. Therefore, the statistical data of culture‐confirmed VVC ascertained at the Institute of Hygiene (Medical University Graz) have been studied. Altogether, 10 463 samples from patients with vulvovaginal complaints were analysed in the years 2000–2004, a number of 3184 proved to be culture‐positive for yeast. Candida albicans was the most prevalent cause in 87.9% of all cases. Non‐albicans Candida yeast were detected in 12.1%, mainly C. glabrata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. During a 1‐year period 185 patients showed more than one episode of VVC. Patients aged 21–40 years were significantly more prone to suffer from VVC compared with other age‐related groups.
Report on the Second Asia Autoimmunity Forum, Hong Kong, 3–5 March 2006
Authors: KAVIKONDALA S. , YINGJIE N. , LAU C. S. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe Second Asia Autoimmunity Forum was jointly organized by the Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology, the University of Hong Kong, and the Singapore National Arthritis Foundation, and was attended by over 200 delegates from around Asia. More than 20 invited international and regional experts in the field of autoimmune rheumatic diseases from China, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Singapore, and South Korea attended the meeting. A total of eight plenary lectures and four clinical symposia covered topics ranging from the role of dendritic cells and various genes in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus, the changes in disease manifestations during pregnancy in lupus, advances on genetic studies in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the role of dendritic cells and cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to the novel emerging targets for treatment of RA, systemic sclerosis (SSc) and primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). It was an excellent avenue promoting the co‐ordination and exchange of knowledge in the area of autoimmune rheumatic diseases in Asia.
Cerebrospinal fluid and serum prolactin in systemic lupus erythematosus with and without central nervous system involvement
Authors: DAI Lie , WU Yimei , ZHENG Donghui , HAN Zhijuan , CHEN Lan X. , SCHUMACHER H. Ralph 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAim: Recent research has shown that prolactin (PRL) may participate in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and hyperprolactinemia may be related to disease activity. The current study investigated both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) PRL in SLE patients and their possible relationship to central nervous system (CNS) involvement.Methods: Prolactin levels were determined by immunoradiometric assay. Serum PRL levels were detected in 80 patients with SLE and 25 matched healthy controls. Disease activity was scored by SLEDAI. CSF PRL levels were detected in 7 cases of CNS‐involved SLE, eight cases of non‐CNS‐involved inactive SLE and eight cases of non‐SLE CNS disorders.Results: Hyperprolactinemia was present in 40% of SLE patients. Serum PRL levels were significantly correlated with SLEDAI scores. There was no significant difference of serum PRL levels between SLE patients with or without CNS involvement, but the mean CSF PRL levels were higher in CNS‐involved SLE patients than in non‐CNS‐involved SLE and non‐SLE patients. There was no significant correlation between serum and CSF PRL levels.Conclusions: Our results suggest that high serum PRL levels correlate with active disease in SLE, but not with CNS involvement. CSF PRL levels in SLE patients correlate with CNS involvement, which indicates that CSF PRL may be involved in the pathogenesis of CNS‐SLE.
Performance of existing diagnosis/classification criteria for Behcet's disease in Iranian patients: analysis of 5666 patients and 2406 controls
Authors: DAVATCHI Fereydoun , SHAHRAM Farhad , NADJI Abdolhadi , CHAMS‐DAVATCHI Cheyda , SHAMS Hormoz , AKHLAGHI Ma'ssoomeh , ABDOLLAHI Bahar Sadeghi , ZIAIE Naghmeh 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAim:  To analyse the performance of existing diagnosis/classification criteria for Behcet's disease (BD) in Iranian patients. There are 13 sets: Curth (1946), Hewitt (1969), Mason and Barnes (1969), Hewitt revised (1971), Japan (1972), Hubault and Hamza (1974), O'Duffy (1974), Cheng and Zhang (1980), Dilsen (1986), Japan revised (1988), International (1990), Iran (1993), Classification Tree (1993), and Dilsen revised criteria (2000).Methods:  All patients from the Behcet's Disease Registry (5666) and control patients (2406) entered the study. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated.Results:  The most sensitive was Curth criteria with (99.7%), followed by Classification Tree (97.3%), Zhang (93.5%), Iran (91.4%), Japan revised (86.4%), Japan (85.3%), Dilsen (83.7%), Hubault and Hamza (81.6%), Dilsen revised (81.2%), International criteria (79.8%), Hewitt (73.8%), O'Duffy (70.7%), and Masson and Barnes (65.7%). The most specific was Masson and Barnes (99.6%), followed by the International criteria (98.3%), Dilsen revised (98.2%), O'Duffy (97.6%), Japan (97.1%), Japan revised (97%), Classification Tree (96.7%), Hewitt (95.8%), Iran (95.8%), Zhang (92.4%), Dilsen (91.4%), Hubault (90.8%), and Curth (78.6%). The most accurate criteria was Classification Tree (97.1%), followed by Curth (93.4%), Zhang (93.1%), Iran (92.7%), Japan revised (89.6%), Japan (88.8%), Dilsen revised (86.2%), Dilsen (86%), International criteria (85.3%), Hubault (84.3%), Hewitt (80.4%), O'Duffy (78.8%), and Mason and Barnes (75.8%).Discussion:  Among the existing criteria, the best to classify Iranian patients is the Classification Tree. The second most accurate is Curth criteria. The difference is statistically significant. Further, Curth criteria is not optimized, having very high sensitivity and low specificity.
Spectrum of rheumatological disorders: an experience of 337 cases in a tertiary care hospital in Pokhara valley, Nepal
Authors: DAS Rabindra N. , PAUDEL Raju 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAim:  To reveal the commonly occurring important types of rheumatological disorders, as well as various clinico‐epidemiological aspects, concurrent medical illnesses, and the ancillary medications used, along with their side‐effects.Method:  A total of 365 patients with various rheumatological disorders were studied at the Rheumatology Department of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal from September 2001 to September 2004. The diagnosis was based on the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (1988). A pro forma was prepared for 30 common rheumatological disorders, listing patient identification, clinical characteristics, disease duration, objective and subjective assessment of the progress of the diseases, monitoring the response of treatment and side‐effects of medications. Patients aged 15–75 years, men and women suffering from various musculoskeletal disorders, fulfilling the ACR criteria, were studied. Each patient was followed up at 1–3 monthly interval and data recorded systematically to monitor the progress of joint function and evaluating the effects of medications.Results:  Out of the 365 patients recorded, only 337 fulfilled the criteria laid down by ACR. Most common rheumatological disorders in order of frequency were soft tissue rheumatism (40.0%), inflammatory arthritis (21.36%) and bone and cartilage diseases (21.06%). Connective tissue disorders were only 4.74%. Seronegative spondyloarthritis group was only 2.67% and least common disease was gout at 3.85%. Rheumatoid arthritis was the most common inflammatory arthritis observed in 20.17% of total cases. Fibromyalgia was the most common soft tissue rheumatism seen in 19.88%. Osteoarthritis of knee, hand and hip were the most common degenerative disorder of the bone and cartilage, constituting 10.38%. Lumbago, lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinal canal stenosis together comprised 14.24% of patients with low back pain. Cervical spondylosis and all types of shoulder joint pain syndromes comprised 5.93% and 5.34%, respectively. Patients were mostly in the age group 20–60 years. The most common type of drug used in all rheumatic conditions was non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in 81.6% of cases followed by steroids in 26.7%, disease‐modifying and cytotoxic drugs in 18.6% and 17.2% of cases, respectively. Chronic obstructive airway disease and hypertension constituted the major concurrent illness in 23.63% and 18.78%, respectively.Conclusion:  This unique type of clinico‐epidemiological study on rheumatological disorders, the first in Nepal, will provide a rich database for future investigations into rheumatology and would plan for all levels of prevention and therapy in the future.
The development of systemic lupus erythematosus following interferon‐α therapy for hepatitis C infection
Authors: Wahid FADILAH S‐Abdul , NORELLA Kong‐Chiew‐Tong , SHAHRIL Mohd‐Said , AZMA Raja‐Sabudin , LEONG Chooi‐Fun , CHEONG Soon‐Keng 
Published: October 2006

AbstractInterferon‐alpha (IFN‐α) therapy has been associated with de novo development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and discontinuation of IFN‐α resulted in disease resolution in most patients. Recurrence of SLE in the absence of concomitant IFN‐α therapy has not been reported. We present here a woman who developed overt clinical manifestations of SLE one year after withdrawal of IFN‐α therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This report highlights the importance of long‐term follow‐up for the belated development of SLE in patients who have experienced IFN‐α induced autoimmune phenomena.
Alcohol Intake and Its Relationship with Bone Mineral Density, Falls, and Fracture Risk in Older Men
Authors: Cawthon Peggy M. , Harrison Stephanie L. , Barrett‐Connor Elizabeth , Fink Howard A. , Cauley Jane A. , Lewis Cora E. , Orwoll Eric S. , Cummings Steven R. 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between alcohol intake and problem drinking history and bone mineral density (BMD), falls and fracture risk.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional and prospective cohort study.SETTING: Six U.S. clinical centers.PARTICIPANTS: Five thousand nine hundred seventy‐four men aged 65 and older.MEASUREMENTS: Alcohol intake and problem drinking histories were ascertained at baseline. Follow‐up time was 1 year for falls and a mean of 3.65 years for fractures.RESULTS: Two thousand one hundred twenty‐one participants (35.5%) reported limited alcohol intake (<12 drinks/y); 3,156 (52.8%) reported light intake (<14 drinks/wk), and 697 (11.7%) reported moderate to heavy intake (≥14 drinks/wk) in the year before baseline. One thousand one men (16.8%) had ever had problem drinking. In multivariate models, as alcohol intake increased, so did hip and spine BMD (P for trend <.001). Greater alcohol intake was not associated with greater risk for nonspine or hip fractures. Men with light intake, but not moderate to heavy intake, had a lower risk of two or more incident falls (light intake: relative risk (RR)=0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.65–0.92; moderate to heavy intake: RR=0.83, 95% CI=0.63–1.10) than abstainers. Men with problem drinking had higher femoral neck (+1.3%) and spine BMD (+1.4%), and a higher risk of two or more falls (RR=1.59; 95% CI=1.30–1.94) than those without a history of problem drinking and similar total hip BMD and risk of fracture.CONCLUSION: In older men, recent alcohol intake is associated with higher BMD. Alcohol intake and fracture risk is unclear. Light alcohol intake may decrease the risk of falling, but a history of problem drinking increased fall risk.
The Effects of In‐Home Rehabilitation on Task Self‐Efficacy in Mobility‐Impaired Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Sanford Jon A. , Griffiths Patricia C. , Richardson Peg , Hargraves Katina , Butterfield Tina , Hoenig Helen 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect on mobility self‐efficacy of a multifactorial, individualized, occupational/physical therapy (OT/PT) intervention delivered via teletechnology or in‐home visits.DESIGN: Randomized, clinical trial.SETTING: One Department of Veterans Affairs and one private rehabilitation hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty‐five community‐dwelling adults with new mobility devices. Thirty‐three were randomized to the control or usual care group (UCG), 32 to the intervention group (IG).INTERVENTION: Four, once‐weekly, 1‐hour OT/PT sessions targeting three mobility and three transfer tasks. A therapist delivered the intervention in the traditional home setting (trad group n=16) or remotely via teletechnology (tele group n=16).MEASUREMENTS: Ten‐item Likert‐scale measure of mobility self‐efficacy.RESULTS: The IG had a statistically significantly greater increase in overall self‐efficacy over the study period than the UCG (mean change: IG 8.8, 95% confidence interval (CI)=3.8–13.7; UCG 1.2, 95% CI=−5.8–8.2). Descriptively, the IG exhibited positive changes in self‐efficacy for all tasks and greater positive change than the UCG on all items with the exception of getting in and out of a chair. Comparisons of the two treatment delivery methods showed a medium standardized effect size (SES) in both the tele and trad groups, although it did not reach statistical significance for the tele group (SES: tele=0.35, 95% CI=−2.5–0.95; trad=0.54, 95% CI=0.06–1.14).CONCLUSION: A multifactorial, individualized, home‐based OT/PT intervention can improve self‐efficacy in mobility‐impaired adults. The trend toward increased self‐efficacy irrespective of the mode of rehabilitation delivery suggests that telerehabilitation can be a viable alternative to or can augment traditional in‐home therapy.
Identifying Frailty in Hospitalized Older Adults with Significant Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Purser Jama L. , Kuchibhatla Maragatha N. , Fillenbaum Gerda G. , Harding Tina , Peterson Eric D. , Alexander Karen P. 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVES: To characterize physiological variation in hospitalized older adults with severe coronary artery disease (CAD) and evaluate the prevalence of frailty in this sample, to determine whether single‐item performance measures are good indicators of multidimensional frailty, and to estimate the association between frailty and 6‐month mortality.DESIGN: Observational cohort study.SETTING: Inpatient hospital cardiology ward.PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred nine consecutive inpatients aged 70 and older admitted to a cardiology service (n=309; 70% male, 84% white) with minimum two‐vessel CAD determined using cardiac catheterization.MEASUREMENTS: Two standard frailty phenotypes (Composite A and Composite B), usual gait speed, grip strength, chair stands, cardiology clinical variables, and 6‐month mortality.RESULTS: Prevalence of frailty was 27% for Composite A versus 63% for Composite B. Utility of single‐item measures for identifying frailty was greatest for gait speed (receiver operating characteristic curve c statistic=0.89 for Composite A, 0.70 for Composite B) followed by chair‐stands (c=0.83, 0.66) and grip strength (c=0.78, 0.57). After adjustment, composite scores and single‐item measures were individually associated with higher mortality at 6 months. Slow gait speed (≤0.65 m/s) and poor grip strength (≤25 kg) were stronger predictors of 6‐month mortality than either composite score (gait speed odds ratio (OR)=3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.1–13.1; grip strength OR=2.7, 95% CI=0.7–10.0; Composite A OR=1.9, 95% CI=0.60–6.1; chair‐stand OR=1.5, 95% CI=0.5–5.1; Composite B OR=1.3, 95% CI=0.3–5.2).CONCLUSION: Gait speed frailty was the strongest predictor of mortality in a population with CAD and may add to traditional risk assessments when predicting outcomes in this population.