Most women with group B streptococcus cervical colonization have uncomplicated pregnancies, but about 1% experience preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM) followed by neonatal group B streptococcal sepsis. In such cases, streptococcal adherence to and penetration of the membranes may be an important step in the pathogenesis. In the present study, chorionic epithelial cells were incubated with group B streptococci isolated from either children developing sepsis after preterm PROM (complicated pregnancies) or from uncomplicated pregnancies. Incubation periods varied. The numbers of adherent bacteria per chorionic epithelial cell were counted by microscopic examination. After 70 minutes' incubation, the number of adherent group B streptococci in complicated pregnancies was 38, compared with 14 in uncomplicated pregnancies (P less than .001). This difference in vitro might reflect the virulence of group B streptococci.

Yeasts occur commonly in the oral cavity in healthy individuals. The prevalent species is Candida albicans (about 60-70% of all isolates). C. glabrata and C. tropicalis come next, followed by other Candida species and genera (Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, etc.) which are all of rare occurrence and transient. The yeast flora increases in many patient groups, especially those who are immunocompromised. C. albicans is the most important species, being the cause of almost all cases of yeast infections in the region, often in association with other species. The number isolated from the oral cavity depends on testing site and methods used. C. albicans can be typed by means of serology (types A and B), by biotyping, by morphology, by means of sensitivity to killer factors, by electrophoretic karyotyping, DNA fragments, and immunoblotting. Such methods may be of value epidemiologically. Switching in Candida morphology is associated with changes in micromorphology and physiology. Several non-yeast fungi may affect the oral cavity, most frequently in association with lung or disseminated infections.

Summary: The mucosal yeast flora and the serum levels of IgG and IgA antibodies to Candida albicans were studied weekly in 38 patients with malignant haematological disorders prophylactically treated with 400 mg ketoconazole daily during induction chemotherapy. All patients developed granulocytopenia and 30 (79%) were colonized by yeasts. IgG C. albicans antibody levels were higher in carriers of C. albicans, or other yeast species, than in non‐carriers throughout the survey, and a statistically significant increase was observed in the first 4 weeks (p < 0.05). IgA C. albicans antibodies followed the same trend. It appears that even severely immunocompromized patients receiving ketoconazole retain a serological response to yeast colonization.Zusammenfassung: An 38 Patienten mit malignen Hämatopathien, die 400 mg Ketoconazol täglich als Frühtherapie erhielten, wurden die Hefeflora der Schleimhäute und die IgG‐ und IgA‐Antikörpertiter gegen Candida albicans untersucht. Alle Patienten entwickelten eine Granulocytopenie, und 30 (79 Prozent) waren mit Sproßpilzen besiedelt Die IgG‐Antikörpertiter gegen C. albicans waren während der Untersuchungsperiode bei Patienten, die mit C. albicans oder anderen Hefearten besiedelt waren, höher als bei nicht‐hefebesiedelten Patienten, und in den ersten vier Wochen war ein statistisch signifikanter Titeranstieg (p < 0,05) zu beobachten. Die IgA‐Antikörpertiter gegen C. albicans folgten dem gleichen Trend. Offensichtlich kommt es auch bei schwer immunkompromittierten Patienten zu einer ausgeprägten Seroantwort auf die Hefebesiedlung; dies wird durch Ketoconazol nicht unterdrückt.

Calcium-dependent binding of C-reactive protein (CRP) to Aspergillus fumigatus was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A homogenate of young hyphae was fractionated by hydrophobic interaction chromatography followed by gel filtration. High CRP-binding activity was found in a fraction of mol. wt c. 500,000 which was characterised by strong binding to the hydrophobic column. Three fractions of less conspicuous CRP-binding activity were identified (c. 500 000, 150 000 and 150 000-50 000 mol. wt respectively). In these four fractions, phosphorylcholine was detected by an anti-phosphorylcholine mouse hybridoma antibody. Some CRP-binding activity in fractions with low affinity for the hydrophobic column did not correspond closely with the presence of phosphorylcholine. It is suggested that C-reactive substance in A. fumigatus is heterogeneous. The C-reactive substances did not correspond with fractions containing major antigens (470 000 and 250 000 mol. wt respectively) which elicit a strong immune response in man.

In the normal human flora yeasts occur regularly and most of them are potential pathogens. Apart from C. albicans, C. glabrata and P. orbiculare they originate mainly from sources outside man. Thus Cryptococcus neoformans has its main reservoir in pidgeon manure. The epidemiology of yeast infections and more particularly those caused by C. albicans has not been well understood until recently when 3 different methods have been developed that allow for differentiation of strains of C. albicans. These methods are based on sensitivity to various chemicals, results of various biochemical tests and the sensitivity to various killer toxins. The methods have made it possible to trace the source and spreading of C. albicans, and may prove useful also in the differentiation of other yeast species.

Trichosporon beigelii was isolated from the anal region in 45 (13%) of 343 Danish homosexual men. T. beigelii was also present on the scrotal skin of six anal carriers who were accessible for re-examination, and white piedra of the genital hair was observed in two cases. Because T. beigelii may cause systemic infections in compromised hosts it may pose a threat to homosexuals infected by HTLVIII/LAV virus.

Antibodies to Aspergillus umbrosus were investigated in 181 Danish farmers, 137 farmers spouses and a control group of 104 male blood donors with no relation to farming. By enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) higher levels of IgG antibodies were found in farmers than in their spouses and in non‐farming controls (P < 0.0001). By double immunodiffusion precipitating antibodies occurred in 11 farmers, in none of farmers' spouses and in one control subject. Farmers and farmers' spouses who were non‐smokers had higher IgG antibody levels than smokers in the same groups (P < 0.04). Farmers more than 30 years of age had higher IgG antibody levels than younger farmers (P < 0.04). Farmers rearing cattle tended to have higher IgG antibody levels than farmers without cattle. No correlation between antibody levels and respiratory symptoms or lung function parameters (FEV1 or FVC) could be demonstrated.

Abstract. 162 women were investigated. Group I consisted of 85 women, who were partners to men with non‐gonococ‐cal urethritis (NGU) or presented macroscopic signs of cer‐vicitis; patients who had harbored Neisseria gonorrhoeae were excluded from the study. Group II was a control group of 77 women without any complaints from the urogenital tract and with normal findings at pelvic examination. All the women were tested for infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealy‐ticum, and Candida albicans. In group I, chlamydiae and mycoplasmas were recovered in 44% and 36%, respectively, the corresponding figures for the control group (group II) being 5% and 19%. The difference is highly significant. No such difference between the two groups was found for ureaplasmas. Sixteen percent of the patients in group I were positive for C. albicans; 12% were positive in group II. Fifty per cent of asymptomatic NGU‐partners were chlamydia‐positive, and about one‐third of patients with either dysuria or vaginal discharge harbored the organism. No difference in the isolation frequency of mycoplasmas was observed between asymptomatic partners to male NGU carriers and women with increased vaginal discharge, whereas the organism was isolated more frequently from patients with dysuria. Fifty‐nine per cent of patients with cervicitis were chla‐mydia‐positive, compared with 30% of patients with normal cervical appearance and normal vaginal discharge. Samples obtained from the cervix were more often positive than samples from the urethra. In conclusion, if samples can be taken from only one of the two sites in patients with lower genital tract infection, the cervix is the optimal sampling site.

162 women were investigated. Group I consisted of 85 women, who were partners to men with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) or presented macroscopic signs of cervicitis; patients who had harbored Neisseria gonorrhoeae were excluded from the study. Group II was a control group of 77 women without any complaints from the urogenital tract and with normal findings at pelvic examination. All the women were tested for infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Candida albicans. In group I, chlamydiae and mycoplasmas were recovered in 44% and 36%, respectively, the corresponding figures for the control group (group II) being 5% and 19%. The difference is highly significant. No such difference between the two groups was found for ureaplasmas. Sixteen percent of the patients in group I were positive for C. albicans; 12% were positive in group II. Fifty per cent of asymptomatic NGU-partners were chlamydia-positive, and about one-third of patients with either dysuria or vaginal discharge harbored the organism. No difference in the isolation frequency of mycoplasmas was observed between asymptomatic partners to male NGU carriers and women with increased vaginal discharge, whereas the organism was isolated more frequently from patients with dysuria. Fifty-nine per cent of patients with cervicitis were chlamydia-positive, compared with 30% of patients with normal cervical appearance and normal vaginal discharge. Samples obtained from the cervix were more often positive than samples from the urethra. In conclusion, if samples can be taken from only one of the two sites in patients with lower genital tract infection, the cervix is the optimal sampling site.

Journal Article Carriage of Oral Candida albicans Associated with a High Number of Circulating Suppressor T Lymphocytes Get access Mads Melbye, Mads Melbye Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Henrik Schønheyder, Henrik Schønheyder Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Luc Kestens, Luc Kestens Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Aksel Stenderup, Aksel Stenderup Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Paul L. Gigase, Paul L. Gigase Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Peter Ebbesen, Peter Ebbesen Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Robert J. Biggar Robert J. Biggar Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 152, Issue 6, December 1985, Pages 1356–1357, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/152.6.1356a Published: 01 December 1985

182 Danish farmers and 105 city-dwelling control subjects were investigated for serum IgG antibodies to three purified Aspergillus fumigatus antigen fractions and unfractionated culture filtrate by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Farmers had higher levels of antibodies to all four ELISA antigens than non-farming controls. In farmers and controls high antibody activity was recorded with an antigen fraction of approximate molecular weight 470 000 daltons. Antibody levels to this fraction were higher in non-smokers than smokers in both study groups. Cattle farmers had higher antibody levels to the 470 000 daltons fraction than farmers with no animals on the farm. Farmers with higher antibody activity to any of the three fractionated ELISA antigens tended to have fewer respiratory symptoms than farmers with lower antibody activity. It was concluded that occupational exposure and smoking habits are the main determinants of the immune response to A. fumigatus in man.

Summary: The oral yeast flora and circulating IgG and IgA antibodies to Candida albicans were investigated in 76 Danish homosexual men C.albicans was isolated from 45 (65%) of 69 subjects by enrichment broth culture, but primary plate cultures were positive in 11 (16%). The frequency of yeast recovery on primary plates increased with decreasing T‐lymphocyte helper‐to‐suppressor ratio (ratio ≤1.0: 33%; 1.1–1.4: 19%; and >1.4: 8%), whereas the frequency of positive enrichment broth cultures did not change (range 64–67%). Demographic or lifestyle parameters did not correlate significantly with oral yeast colonization as did neither IgG nor IgA antibodies to C. albicans. High levels of IgA antibodies to C. albicans were found to be associated with a Th/Ts ratio >1.0 whereas IgG candida antibody levels correlated inversely with the number of sexual partners in the past year.Zusammenfassung: Bei 76 dänischen homosexuellen Männern wurden die orale Hefeflora und IgG‐ und IgA‐Antikörper gegen Candida albicans untersucht. Von 69 Personen konnte C. albicans 45mal (65%) in einem flüssigen Anreicherungsmedium aber nur 11mal (16%) durch primäre Plattenkulturen isoliert werden. Die Häufigkeit des Nachweises auf primären Plattenkulturen steigerte sich mit abnehmender Ratio zwischen Helfer‐T‐Zellen und Suppressor‐T‐Zellen (Ratio ≤ 1,0: 33%, 1,1–1,4: 19% und >1,4: 8%). Dagegen war keine Änderung bei den positiven Anreicherungskulturen festzustellen (64 bis 67%). Es zeigten sich keine Korrelationen zwischen der oralen Hefebesiedlung einerseits und demographischen Parametern, der Lebensweise oder der Höhe der IgG‐ oder IgA‐Antikörper gegen C. albicans andererseits. Hohe IgA‐Titer gegen C. albicans traten vor allem auf, wenn die Th/Ts‐Ratio >1,0 war, während die IgG‐AntikörperKonzentrationen zur Anzahl der sexuellen Partner des letzten Jahres vor der Untersuchung umgekehrt proportional waren.

IgA and IgG antibodies against Candida albicans culture filtrate were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in sera from 84 pregnant and 21 non-pregnant women. IgA Candida antibody levels were found not to change significantly with age, whereas IgG Candida antibody levels were significantly higher in women aged 27 to 35 years than in women less than 24 years of age. Neither IgA nor IgG Candida antibody levels were related to the number of pregnancies. In a subgroup of 45 pregnant women examined for yeasts in the oral, anal and vaginal flora IgA Candida antibody levels were significantly higher in 13 women with negative cultures than in 19 women with recovery of C. albicans on plates. Intermediate levels of IgA Candida antibodies were found in 9 women with negative plate cultures, but positive enrichment broth cultures of C. albicans. All of 15 women with IgA ELISA values less than or equal to 0.51 had yeast-positive cultures compared with 17 of 30 women with IgA ELISA values greater than 0.51. This may suggest a role of IgA antibodies in the clearance of C. albicans from mucosal surfaces in healthy individuals.

Aspergillus antibodies of the IgG, IgA and IgM class were determined by the indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) technique in sera from 11 patients with proven pulmonary aspergillosis (group I), 11 patients with suspected pulmonary aspergillosis (group II), 34 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (group III), 29 patients with lung infiltrates of non-fungal aetiology (group IV), and 94 blood donors (group V). The antigen was cryostate sections of formaldehyde fixed mycelium. IgG antibody titres above 640 occurred in 73% in group I + II, 12% in group III, 0% in group IV, and 22% in group V. The difference between group I + II and group V was statistically significant (p less than 0.001). IgA antibody titres above 80 were only found in patients in group I + II, suggesting that demonstration of such antibodies may be of diagnostic significance. IgM antibodies in titres between 10 and 160 were found in 100-65% in group I to V. Precipitating antibodies to a culture filtrate antigen occurred in all subjects in group I, in 9 (82%) in group II, and in 1-7% of subjects in group III to V. However, precipitin titres above 2 occurred only in group I and II. No correlation between precipitin titres and IIF titres of IgG and IgA antibodies was obtained, suggesting that the two methods reveal antibodies of different specificities.

Summary: In 1979, a survey was performed in Denmark in order to obtain information on the occurrence of dermatophyte species. From 513 patients from urban and rural areas fungi were isolated. T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes were by far the most frequent species followed by M. canis and E. floccosum. T. verrucosum and T. tonsurans were isolated in a few casesZusammenfassung: Im Jahre 1979 wurde in Dänemark eine Untersuchung vorgenommen, die Auskunft über die Häufigkeit der hautpathogenen Dermatophyten geben sollte. Pilze wurden von 513 Patienten aus Städten und Landgebieten isoliert. T. rubrum und T. mentagrophytes waren die weitaus häufigsten Dermatophyten, nach denen M. canis und E. floccosum folgten. T. verrucosum und T. tonsurans wurden nur in wenigen Fällen isoliert.