bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The yeast species causing fungemia at a university hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during a 10‐year period
Authors: Al‐Hedaithy Saleh S. A. 
Published: September 2003

SummaryThis study is a retrospective investigation to determine the species of yeasts causing fungemia in a university hospital in Saudi Arabia during the years 1991–2000. A total of 189 episodes of fungemia were encountered, of which 121 (64%) occurred during 1991–1995, whereas only 68 cases (36%) were found between 1996 and 2000. Overall, 50.3% episodes were due to Candida albicans including five episodes of C. dubliniensis, followed by C. tropicalis (27%), C. parapsilosis (7.9%), C. glabrata (7.4%), C. krusei (3.2%), C. famata (1.0%); 3.2% were due to other species, namely Blastoschizomyces capitatus, Hansenula anomala, Rhodotorula rubra, and Trichosporon beigelii. The percentage of episodes of fungemia caused by C. albicans ranged from 36.4% in 1991 to 71.4% in 2000, revealing an increase in recent years. The incidence of non‐C. albicans fungemia decreased from 63 (33.3%) during the first 5 years (1991–1995) to 31 (16.4%) episodes during the second 5 years. Moreover, no fungemia due to C. glabrata and C. krusei were observed during the last 3 years. Overall, during the years of the study, a decreasing incidence of yeast fungemia was observed. Fungemia occurred more frequently in patients with leukemia (24%), prematurity (16%), postsurgery (10.6%), and lymphoma (9.5%). Patients with respiratory infections and preterm infants more often had C. albicans fungemia, whereas C. tropicalis predominated in patients with hepatic disorders and leukemia. The study reports for the first time the involvement of C. dubliniensis in yeast fungemia occurring in Saudi Arabia.
Isolation and identification of Madurella mycetomatis from two cases of black grain mycetoma in Libya
Authors: Ellabib M. S. , Refaai A. , Khalifa Z. , Kavanagh K. 
Published: September 2003

SummaryTwo cases of mycetoma of the foot caused by Madurella mycetomatis are reported in which identification of the etiologic agents was confirmed by culture. A Libyan male aged 40 years and a Chadian female aged 30 years, exhibited eumycetoma of the foot 1 and 2 years, respectively, after a local injury. The diagnoses were based on the clinical presentation and confirmed by mycologic analysis of the grains and culture isolation of the etiologic agent. Prior to this report M. mycetomatis has not been recorded in Libya as a cause of eumycetoma.
Abbreviated oral itraconazole therapy for tinea corporis and tinea cruris
Authors: Sanmano B. , Hiruma M. , Mizoguchi M. , Ogawa H. 
Published: September 2003

SummaryThe present study was designed to determine the lowest dose of orally administered itraconazole and the shortest duration of therapy necessary for treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris. For all patients, the itraconazole dose was 100 mg twice a day immediately after meals. Twenty‐eight patients received itraconazole on days 1 and 8, 12 patients received itraconazole on days 1 and 2, and five patients received itraconazole only on day 1. Clinical and mycological evaluations were performed at baseline and on day 14. Based on the clinical and mycological responses, treatment efficacy was classified as excellent, good, fair, or poor. ‘Excellent’ and ‘good’ responses made up 86% of the first group, 100% of the second group, and 20% of the third group. A comparison of efficacy ratings of the three regimens showed that the patients who received a single 200‐mg dose had a significantly inferior outcome compared with the other two groups. We conclude that an abbreviated oral regimen of itraconazole for treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris requires a total dose of at least 400 mg to induce a favorable outcome.
Oropharyngeal carriage of Candida species in HIV‐infected patients in India
Authors: Gugnani H. C. , Becker K. , Fegeler W. , Basu S. , Chattopadhya D. , Baveja U. , Satyanarayana S. , Kalghatgi T. , Murlidhar A. 
Published: September 2003

SummaryThe present investigation represents the first study of oropharyngeal carriage of Candida and other yeasts in HIV‐infected patients in India. One hundred and fifty HIV‐positive patients were investigated by culturing their swish samples on plates of CHROMagar Candida. Ninety‐eight patients (65.3%) were positive for Candida and four (2.7%) were positive for other yeasts. Among them, the first Indian C. dubliniensis isolate has been recovered. Molecular typing of selected C. albicans isolates by AP‐PCR revealed two major genotypes based on the banding patterns. The susceptibilities of 30 Candida isolates to five antifungal agents including the new triazole voriconazole were determined in a micro‐dilution test, according to the NCCLS protocol M 27. All the 22 C. albicans isolates were susceptible to five antimycotic agents (flucytosine, amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole and itraconazole) except one isolate (VPCI‐122), which was resistant to flucytosine (MIC ≥ 64 mg l−1). The azole‐resistant isolates reported here endorse the role of antifungal susceptibility testing whenever antifungal treatment with azoles is planned.
Isolation of dermatophytes and non‐dermatophytic fungi from soil in Nigeria
Authors: Oyeka C. A. , Okoli I. 
Published: September 2003

SummaryA total of 60 soil samples were collected from Ifite Awka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Amawbia, all located in Awka Urban, Anambra State, Nigeria. An additional sample was collected from a household rug‐carpet vacuum cleaner from a house located in Enugu city, Enugu State (a neighbouring state). The 61 samples were investigated for the occurrence of dermatophytic and non‐dermatophytic fungi, using the hair‐bait technique and agar dilution procedure. The medical importance of the isolates in the samples is discussed.
Prevalence and causative agents of superficial mycoses in a textile factory in Adana, Turkey
Authors: Çelik E. , İlkit M. , Tanır F. 
Published: September 2003

SummaryThis study was carried out in a textile factory settled in the city center of Adana, Turkey. The workers were evaluated for the presence of superficial mycoses and the interaction of their working environment or working condition. A total of 431 textile workers were included in the study, with a male to female ratio of 378 (87.7%) to 53 (12.3%) and an age range of 19–52 (mean: 33.7 ± 6.8). Direct examination and/or culture revealed superficial mycoses in 73 (16.9%) workers, among them 56 (76.7%) were classified as dermatophytoses, 8 (11.0%) as Pityriasis versicolor while in nine (12.3%) of the cases, no causative agent could be determined. Trichophyton rubrum (57.1%) and T. mentagrophytes (42.9%) were the two species isolated on culture. This study emphasized that textile workers should be admitted as a risk group for superficial mycoses, especially tinea pedis.
Disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis: correlation between clinical and in vitro resistance to ketoconazole and trimethoprim sulphamethoxazole
Authors: Hahn Rosane Christine , Morato Conceição Yvelise Teresinha , Santos Niriana Lara , Ferreira Jussara Fialho , Hamdan Júnia Soares 
Published: September 2003

SummaryThe present study relates to a case of subacute multifocal paracoccidioidomycosis where the upper intestinal tract is involved. The involvement of the upper digestive tract is uncommon. The recommended therapeutic treatment plans and the difficulty in the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis are discussed in association with susceptibility tests to antifungal drugs in vitro. This is the first report available in the literature showing, in parallel, clinical and in vitro resistance to ketoconazole and trimethoprim sulphamethoxazole, studied during the course of the disease.
Microbiological study of external otitis in Rosario City, Argentina
Authors: Amigot Susana L. , Gomez C. R. , Luque A. G. , Ebner G. 
Published: September 2003

SummaryMycological and/or bacteriological studies were performed on 294 samples isolated from the external auditory control (EAC). It was observed that 185 (81.5%) of the mycological analysis were negative while 42 (18.5%) were positive with the following distribution: 22 Candida (9.7%), 15 Aspergillus (6.5%) and five associations of Aspergillus and Candida (2.2%). The bacteriological studies were negative in 52 cases (23.6%) and the frequency of the bacterial agents (75.5%) isolated were as follows: 41 Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.6%), 24 Proteus mirabilis (10.9%), 24 Staphylococcus aureus (10.9%), and three associations of Ps. aeruginosa and Pr. mirabilis (1.4%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which was the most frequent bacterial species isolated, did not present associations with any fungus.
Antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida albicans by flow cytometry
Authors: Gökahmetoǧlu Selma , Nedret Koç A. , Patiroǧlu T. 
Published: September 2003

SummaryAntifungal susceptibilities of 28 Candida albicans isolates and two quality control strains to amphotericin B and fluconazole were determined by flow cytometry and microdilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) obtained by flow cytometry were compared with the results obtained by The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards Subcommittee (NCCLS) broth microdilution method. The agreement of results (within two dilution) obtained was found as 96 and 93% for amphotericin B and fluconazole, respectively. At least 24 h incubation was required for reading the microdilution assays. Four hours of incubation was required for fluconazole, whereas 2‐h incubation was sufficient for amphotericin B to provide MIC by flow cytometry. Results of this study show that flow cytometry provides a rapid and sensitive in vitro method for antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida albicans isolates.
Characteristics of chemotherapy practice in rural and remote area health facilities in Queensland
Authors: McCarthy Alexandra , Hegney Desley , Brown Leisa , Gilbar Peter , Brodribb T. Robert , Swales June 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTObjective: The overall objective of this study was to document the nature of the chemotherapy nursing practice of rural and remote area nurses in Queensland. Design: A questionnaire survey that elicited descriptive quantitative and qualitative data. Setting: Forty‐seven rural and remote area health facilities in Queensland involved in the administration of chemotherapy. Subjects: Sixty‐seven Queensland rural and remote area nurses involved in the administration of cytotoxic drugs. Main outcome measures: Characteristics of chemotherapy practice including context of practice, amount and type of chemotherapy administered, logistical problems, level of support from referral centres, policies and procedures, safety issues. Results: The results indicate that the risks to nursing staff and the potential for poor patient outcomes are higher than in specialist chemotherapy facilities. This is largely due to the human and material resource constraints characteristic of rural practice. These include a lack of understanding on the part of metropolitan‐based health departments and the specialist cancer centres that refer patients to rural areas of the constraints that may adversely influence patient outcomes. Conclusions: It is essential that steps are taken to ensure that rural and remote area cancer patients have equitable access to safe and competent chemotherapy care delivered in their choice of context, and the results of this study provide guidance on ways that this can be achieved.
Towards a health career for rural and remote students: cultural and structural barriers influencing choices
Authors: Durey Angela , McNamara Beverley , Larson Ann 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTObjective: To promote tertiary health careers to rural and remote young people. Design: Qualitative research using large and small group discussions and semistructured interviews. Setting: Fifteen secondary schools in rural and remote Western Australia including five senior secondary schools and 10 district high schools. Subjects: One hundred and twenty students from eight year 10 groups, 35 students from three year 11 groups, 54 students from five year 12 groups, 52 parents, 10 grandparents, 76 teachers and four Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers (AIEO). Results: Students prefer information about the range of health careers to be delivered interactively. Choices to follow a health career at tertiary level were constrained by structural and cultural issues including geographical isolation, financial cost, stereotyping of health professions, insufficient information about the diversity of health careers, obligation to family, community and place and a devalued rural culture. Conclusions: The under representation of rural and remote students in health related university courses needs to be addressed by long‐term strategies taking into account both structural and cultural barriers when making career choices. Health policies should include the provision of financial support for rural and remote students and promote a broad range of health careers as challenging and rewarding life choices that offer much needed services to rural communities. What this paper adds: In 1997, only 19.2% of Australian university students came from rural and remote areas, a figure dramatically below the equity reference point of 28.8% of the population living in rural areas derived from the 1996 census data.1 In 2001, the figure remained steady with 19.1% of rural students attending university.2 These data highlight the need for developing higher education opportunities for all Australians regardless of where they live. However, despite ongoing concern about attracting rural and remote students to health careers, limited success has been achieved to date. Barriers to students choosing health careers at tertiary level include lack of information about the range of health careers available, the cost of tertiary education for families, social dislocation and a perceived lack of support structure for students at university. These are underpinned by cultural assumptions about gender, occupational roles in rural communities and professed lack of academic ability. Strategies to overcome barriers must be situated within a broad socio‐cultural context to understand the complexity of issues underpinning students’ choices.
Evaluation of the rural South Australian Tri‐division Adolescent Health Project
Authors: Naccarella Lucio 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACT: The Adolescent Health Project (AHP) was a rural pilot project aimed at strengthening the relationship between general practitioners (GPs) and adolescents within three Divisions of general practice. The evaluation assessed the implementation of the AHP model and strategies and their impact.  The AHP used a centralised management/support and local delivery model. The AHP improved GP relationships and comfort with dealing with young people, and improved GP relationships with school counsellors. Divisional relationships with local schools improved. Students reported increased knowledge about GPs, increased confidence and comfort with accessing GPs. The AHP delivered a popular project to GPs, GP clinics, schools, school counsellors and students, which built the capacity of divisions, GPs, and schools to improve adolescent health care provision. Further research questions have emerged: What are the patterns of relationships between GPs and adolescents, and between GPs and school counsellors, and what strategies work best to sustain such relationships?
Student attitudes to surgical teaching in provincial hospitals
Authors: Bruening Martin H. , Maddern Guy J. 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTObjective: The ever‐increasing pressure on metropolitan teaching hospitals to rationalise budgets and increase productivity has resulted in a dwindling amount of teaching opportunity for the medical student population. One solution to the problem was to utilise a largely untapped resource in South Australia, namely the provincial hospitals, however, student opinion regarding such a radical change had yet to be determined. Design: A questionnaire was circulated among an entire year group of medical students who would be undertaking the revised surgical curriculum with rural attachments. Setting: In October 1997, a decision was made by the Department of Surgery at the University of Adelaide to proceed with optional rural surgical attachments in 1998. Subjects: The survey was distributed to the 125 members of the 1997 fifth year medical student group. Results: A total of 92 questionnaires were returned giving a response rate of 75%. Thirty‐nine students ranked a rural term in their top half of preferences, while a further 18 indicated that they would go to a rural centre if they had to. Conclusion: Despite having little warning of the impending changes to their surgical curriculum, the majority of students who responded to the questionnaire stated that they would be willing to venture to the country locations. Before planning significant changes to an established curriculum, the student group should be consulted to gauge their opinion. What is already known: Within the medical literature, studies have been performed with regard to student opinions regarding postgraduate internships in rural locations, but to our knowledge, this survey represents the first study into student opinion with particular reference to rural surgical attachments prior to their commencement within a medical school curriculum. What this study adds: As a result of this study, it can now be concluded that a considerable amount of interest exists within the student population to undertake rural surgical rotations.
Continuum of care and the antenatal record in rural New South Wales
Authors: Patterson Karen , Logan‐Sinclair Patricia 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTObjective: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the woman held antenatal record card (PNC2) on the continuity of maternity care received when presenting to the acute rural setting for clinical assessment. Design: Qualitative, open‐ended questionnaires. Setting: Rural New South Wales public hospital. Subjects: Maternity consumers, 50 women who were inpatients receiving antenatal or postnatal care between August and October 1998. A stratified sample of healthcare professionals employed by the service, 12 midwives and 13 general practitioners. Main outcome measure: The self reported use of the antenatal card and the viewed effects of the card on the continuity of healthcare received. Results: The study identified a significant difference between the responding professionals (93%) positive perception of the effect of the PNC2 on the women's pregnancy continuum of care and the maternity consumer (36%), who felt it bore little impact on their care. The study findings suggested a lack of compliance and standardisation in usage of the antenatal card negated any flow on effects for the women. Conclusions: The intended purposes of the PNC2 were compromised in this rural setting. The study recommends that stakeholders in rural maternity care be accountable for examining the benefits and barriers of their antenatal practices, that the rural community's expectations of ‘continuity of maternity care’ are sought and that there should be a review of the available models of rural antenatal care. What is already known: The woman held antenatal record has been reported to be an effective approach for enabling consumers to participate in their maternity care, whilst also address the concerns of continuity, safety and information sharing. This form of medical record has been strongly supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council and NSW Health as a professional and consumer friendly strategy. The usage or the effects of the antenatal record in rural New South Wales settings have yet to be widely evaluated. What this study adds: The study's questionnaire responses identified that the antenatal record may have met the needs of rural health professionals, however, the maternity care consumers were unaware of these benefits. The study suggests that the antenatal record was operationalised at the discretion and for the convenience of the rural health care professional. Identifying rural communities perceptions of continuity of care and the need to explore models of care that promote continuity in rural areas, where significant findings of the study.
Rural sports and recreational injuries in Australia: what do we know?
Authors: Finch Caroline , Mahoney Mary , Townsend Mardie , Zazryn Tsharni 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTObjective: It is widely recognised that individuals residing in regional or rural areas have poorer health outcomes than those from metropolitan areas. Factors associated with these poorer health outcomes include geographical isolation, population declines, limited health care provision and higher levels of inactivity compared to urban areas. The mental, social and physical health of individuals and communities in rural areas can be improved through active participation in sport and recreation activities. Unfortunately, participation in such activities can potentially lead to injury. There is a suggestion that there is an increased risk of sports injuries in rural areas due to the lack of health professionals and coaching personnel, fewer available volunteers to organise and deliver sport, and the general attitude towards injuries in rural settings. Results: There is very limited information about the number and types of injuries sustained during participation in sports activities in rural and regional settings. This is largely related to a lack of formal sporting structures and support mechanisms including research funding and trained personnel. Conclusion: A range of factors need to be implemented to improve safety for sporting and recreational participants in these areas. These include improved monitoring of injury occurrence, stronger promotion of safety initiatives and wider implementation of education strategies. What is already known: It has been speculated that there is an increased risk of injury during sport in rural areas, compared to metropolitan centres. However, there is very little information about the actual levels of sports injury risk in rural communities. What this study adds: This review of formal and informal sources has identified significant gaps in our knowledge about sports injuries in rural Australia. It is likely that this lack of information, and the injury risk, is related to a lack of formal sporting structures and support mechanisms in these areas.