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[Candida infection of the female genitalia.
Complaints and clinical findings]
Lachenicht P
Med Klin (Germany, West) Jan 31 1969, 64 (5)
p203-6
No abstract.
Dietary supplement of neosugar alters the fecal
flora and decreases activities of some reductive enzymes in
human subjects.
Buddington RK; Williams CH; Chen SC; Witherly SA
Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State
University, Mississippi State 39762-5759, USA.
Am J Clin Nutr (United States) May 1996, 63 (5)
p709-16
The influence of dietary fructooligosaccharide (neosugar)
on the fecal flora and activities of reductive enzymes was
studied in 12 healthy, adult human subjects fed a controlled
diet for 42 d and given 4 g neosugar/d between days 7 and 32.
Fecal samples were collected before, during, and after
supplementation with neosugar to enumerate total anaerobes,
aerobes, bifidobacteria, and enterobacteria, and to assay for
beta-glucuronidase, nitroreductase, and glycocholic acid
hydroxylase. Although the controlled diet caused an increase
in total anaerobes and bifidobacteria, the highest densities
occurred during supplementation with neosugar. Total aerobes
and enterobacteria were less affected by diet and neosugar.
Neosugar caused beta-glucuronidase and glycocholic acid
hydroxylase activities to decrease 75% and 90%, respectively;
both increased after supplementation with neosugar was
stopped. Nitroreductase activity declined 80% after the
control diet was started, but was not affected by neosugar.
These findings indicate that 4 g neosugar/d alters the fecal
flora in a manner perceived as beneficial by decreasing
activities of some reductive enzymes.
In vitro fructooligosaccharide utilization and
inhibition of Salmonella spp. by selected bacteria.
Oyarzabal OA; Conner DE
Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, Alabama
36849-5416, USA.
Poult Sci (United States) Sep 1995, 74 (9)
p1418-25
In vitro experiments were conducted to determine:
1) inhibitory capacities of potential direct-fed microbial
bacteria against Salmonella serotypes; and
2) the ability of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus
faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactococcus lactis, Pediococcus
sp., and Salmonella spp. to grow in media containing
fructooligosaccharides (FOS-50 or FOS pure formulation) as the
only carbohydrate source.
Thirteen bacteria (two strains of Bacillus coagulans,
Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, B. bifidum, E.
faecium, two strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei,
Pediococcus sp., Propionibacterium acidopropionici, P.
jensenii, and Propionibacterium sp.) were tested for
inhibition of six Salmonella serotypes (S. california, S.
enteritidis, S. heidelberg, S. mission, S. senftenberg, and S.
typhimurium) using a spot-the-lawn technique. Bifidobacterium
bifidum, E. faecium, all lactobacilli, and Pediococcus sp.
clearly inhibited growth of all Salmonella serotypes. In the
growth experiments, E. faecium, L. lactis, and Pediococcus sp.
grew in media with either FOS-50 or the pure formulation of
FOS as the sole carbohydrate source. All tested Salmonella
serotypes utilized FOS-50 for growth; however growth varied
among the serotypes. In contrast, none of the Salmonella
serotypes grew in media containing the pure formulation of FOS
as the only carbohydrate source.
Dietary fructooligosaccharide, xylooligosaccharide
and gum arabic have variable effects on cecal and colonic
microbiota and epithelial cell proliferation in mice and
rats.
Howard MD; Gordon DT; Garleb KA; Kerley MS
Department of Animal Science, University of Missouri,
Columbia 65211, USA.
J Nutr (United States) Oct 1995, 125 (10)
p2604-9
Two experiments were conducted to determine if
supplementing soluble fiber (fructooligosaccharide,
xylooligosaccharide or gum arabic) to a semi-elemental diet
would beneficially change cecal and colonic microbiota
populations and enhance epithelial cell proliferation.
Experiments 1 and 2 used identical dietary regimens; mice and
rats were given free access to a powdered semi-elemental diet.
Animals were assigned to one of the four following treatment
groups: control, no supplemental dietary fiber,
fructooligosaccharide, xylooligosaccharide and gum arabic.
Dietary fiber was supplied via drinking water at 30 g/L. In
Experiment 1 populations of Bifidobacteria and total anaerobic
flora were enumerated from the contents of the cecum and colon
of weanling mice. Consumption of fructooligosaccharide
increased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of Bifidobacteria
and the ratio of Bifidobacteria to total anaerobic flora. In
Experiment 2 tissue from the cecum and distal colon of
weanling rats was examined for morphological changes of the
mucosa. Consumption of xylooligosaccharide increased (P <
0.05) cecal crypt depth and labeling index relative to the
other three treatments. Consumption of gum arabic and the
control diet increased (P < 0.01) cecal proliferation zone.
Consumption of xylooligosaccharide and the control diet
increased (P < 0.01) cecal cell density (number of cells in
a vertical-half of the crypt). Distal colonic crypt depth was
greatest (P < 0.05) in controls and rats fed
fructooligosaccharide, intermediate in those fed gum arabic,
and smallest in those fed xylooligosaccharide. These results
suggest that fructooligosaccharide effectively stimulates
growth of Bifidobacteria and xylooligosaccharide supports a
modest enhancement of cecal epithelial cell proliferation.
A comparison of susceptibility to five antifungal
agents of yeast cultures from burn patients.
Still JM Jr; Law EJ; Belcher KE; Spencer SA
Augusta Regional Medical Center, Georgia, USA.
Burns (England) May 1995, 21 (3) p167-70
Patients with significant degrees of immunocompromise, such
as cancer, AIDS and large burns, who have received significant
amounts of antibiotics, may develop infections with yeast
organisms. Over a 3-year period, all patients with positive
fungal blood cultures and most wounds of patients with large
burns considered to be a risk of yeast infection were selected
and tested for their susceptibility to five antifungal agents,
amphotericin B, ketoconazole, miconazole, diflucan, and
5-fluorocytosine. In all, 244 specimens of yeast were tested:
142 Candida albicans, 52 Candida parapsilosis, 26 Candida
tropicalis and 13 Trichosporon beigelii. A limited number of
other isolates of Candida (12) were also encountered. All
Candida organism were sensitive to amphotericin B. There was
wide variation in regard to the susceptibility to the other
four agents, with C. albicans and C. tropicalis being largely
resistant to miconazole and ketoconazole. T. beigelii was
recovered in 13 patients. One-half of these organisms was
resistant to amphotericin B. Awareness of variations in
species and susceptibility are helpful in the selection of
appropriate therapeutic antifungal agents.
[A trial of the use of diflucan (fluconazole) in
patients with vaginal candidiasis]
Dmitrieva NV, Sokolova EN, Makhova EE, Petukhova IN
Antibiot Khimioter 1993 Dec;38(12):39-41
Fifty females with vaginitis due to Candida albicans were
treated with fluconazol (diflucan) in a single dose of 150 mg
administered per os. A complete elimination of the clinical
signs in 42 out of 50 patients (84 per cent) and a significant
improvement of the clinical picture in 4 out of 50 patients (8
per cent) were recorded. The cultures of the smears produced
no fungal growth with respect to 31 out of 36 patients (86.1
per cent), while microscopically the presence of the fungus
with the signs of pathomorphosis was detected. Such cells
could be a source of the fungal reinfection. Therefore,
diflucan proved to be a highly efficient drug in the treatment
of vaginal candidiasis and might be considered as an
additional agent for the therapy of the disease.
[Fluconazole--a new antifungal agent]
Dobloug JH
Infeksjonsmedisinsk avdeling, Ulleval sykehus, Oslo.
Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 1992 Jun
10;112(15):1961-3
Fluconazole (Diflucan) is a new triazole antifungal agent
that is effective against a wide range of fungi and has a
favourable pharmacokinetic profile. Fluconazole is absorbed
well after oral intake independent of food intake. Fluconazole
is given once daily, in a dose of 50-400 mg. The dosage is the
same for oral and parenteral administration. Tissue
penetration is good, as is the concentration in cerebrospinal
fluid. Fluconazole should not be given to children under 16
years of age, nor to pregnant or breast-feeding women. In
Norway, fluconazole is indicated for treatment of candida
vaginitis that is resistant to other treatment, invasive
candida infection, candida stomatitis in immunocompromised
hosts, and cryptococcalmeningitis.
[Endogenous candida endophthalmitis: a new
therapy]
Mistlberger A, Graf B
Augenabteilung der Landeskrankenanstalten Salzburg.
Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd 1991 Dec;199(6):446-9
A thirty-year-old patient underwent an extensive abdominal
surgery because of a precancerosis due to a colitis ulcerosa.
An accompanying smoldering panuveitis led under
immunosuppressive therapy to the loss of sight of one eye.
Only an increasing vitritis of the second eye allowed the
diagnosis of an endogenous Candida endophthalmitis (ECE)
following a vitrectomy. A systemic administration of the
common antifungal medications was impossible because of the
patient's pathological blood-picture and a severe cholestasis.
We report the successful use of Fluconazol (Diflucan), an
antimycotic agent we never used before in this connection.
"Perspective Evaluation of Candida Antigen
Detection Test For Invasive Candidiasis and Immunocompromised
Adult Patients With Cancer"
Escuro, Ruben S., M.D., et al
The American Journal of Medicine, December
1989;87(621-627)
No abstract.
"Pathogenesis of Candidiasis: Immunosuppression By
Cell Wall Mannan Catabolites"
Podzorski, Raymond P., Ph.D., et al
Archives of Surgery, November 1989;
124:1290-1294
No abstract.
Vaginitus and yogurt consumption
[No author listed]
Thirteen female patients, with chronic yeast candidiasis,
finished a study in which they ingested 8 ounces of yogurt
with a live lactobacillus culture for 6 months. The
lactobacillus acidophilus species was noted to produce
hydrogen peroxide. There was a threefold decrease of
infections in patients consuming yogurt containing
lactobacillus acidophilus. The mean number of infections for 6
months was 2.54 in the control group, versus .38 in those
containing yogurt. The colonization of yeast decreased from
3.23 per 6 months in the control arm to .84 in the yogurt arm.
It is concluded that daily ingestion of yogurt containing
lactobacillus acidophilus decreased candidal colonization and
infection.
Garlic
[No author listed]
This is an extensive review article on the physiologic
aspects of garlic with regards to cancer prevention and
treatment. This article lists approximately 30 studies from
1949 through 1986 on garlic and cancer. Epidemiologically
garlic and onion consumption is associated with reduced
mortality from cancer. Garlic is rich in sulfur compounds and
may be important in several detoxification pathways. Garlic
has antitumor and cancer inhibition properties. There is
presently no data from the National Toxicology Program
regarding the toxicity of garlic though in animal models
negative health effects at very high doses have been reported.
Other documented effects of garlic include antiobiotic and
antifungal activity, fibrinolysis and platelet aggregation
inhibition. The trace elements selenium and germanium,
antioxidants in their own right, are constituents of Japanese
garlic. Further studies in humans on garlic and cancer are
encouraged.
"Garlic: A Review of Its Relationship to Malignant
Disease"
Dausch, Judith G., Ph.D., RD and Nixon, Daniel W., M.D.
Preventive Medicine, May 1990;19(3):346-361
This review states that Kyolic garlic extract enhanced the
elimination of candida albicans in infected animals. Kyolic
can inhibit aflatoxin or benzopyrene induced mutagenesis. It
can also inhibit aflatoxin from binding to DNA. Garlic reduces
the formation of organosoluble metabolites and increases the
formation of water soluble metabolites facilitating
elimination of the carcinogen.
"Anticandidal and Anticarcinogenic Potentials For
Garlic"
Tadi, Padma P., MS, et al
International Clinical Nutrition Review, October
1990;10(4):423-429.
Vaginal Flora
This article reviews the role of the vaginal flora and the
pathogenesis and prevention of urinary tract infections. It is
noted that antimicrobial agents and spermacides can disrupt
the vaginal flora making the patient more susceptible to
bladder and vaginal infections. Supplementation of
lactobacillus strains have some clinical potential. Also
immunizations have shown some promise as well. Lactobacilli
dominate the vaginal flora of healthy women. They help
maintain low vaginal pH by the production of lactic acid,
compete for space on the vaginal epithelium, produce hydrogen
peroxide and antimicrobial substances, and stimulate immune
function. Systemic antibiotic administration can definitely
alter vaginal flora. Recent studies of prophylactic
antimicrobial treatment have shown an increased susceptibility
to reinfection. Induction in monkey models of ecoli
colonization from Amoxicillin use has been corrected with
indigenous organism supplementation including lactobacilli.
Long term use of antibiotics for prostatitis has been found to
destroy the normal urethral flora that would otherwise
interfere with virulent organisms. The spermicide nonoxynol-9
can also affect the urogenital flora negatively. The
uropathogens and candida albicans were found to survive in up
to 25% concentration of this product and grow and adhere
better to cells when exposed to nonoxynol-9. Patients who use
spermacides may be more susceptible to repeated infections by
yeast and bacteria. It may be that estrogen has an effect on
the normal flora and that susceptibility to infection is
increased during fluctuations of female hormones. A direct
linkage with hormones has not been proven yet. The application
to prevent urinary tract infections with lactobacilli is a
relatively new concept. In the authors' work 16 commercial
lactobacillus products were examined; 11 were found to be
contaminated with pathogens and only 4 contained the
lactobacillus acidophilus as stated on the label. There is
evidence from the literature that lactobacilli can prevent
urogenital as well as intestinal infections. In one study
freeze dried lactobacilli suppositories were given
intravaginally once weekly for 1 year to 8 patients with
recurrent UTI's. The results showed an impressive 78%
reduction in the incidence of infection. It is possible that
stimulation of IgA antibodies may help prevent urinary tract
infections as well. This has been attempted by using a product
called Urovac (Solco-Basel, Switzerland) that is comprised of
killed, whole, uropathogenic bacteria. This therapy was given
intramuscularly 3 times a week with a follow-up at 12 months.
There was a reduction in immunized patients developing UTI
compared to controls. This protection was correlated later
with increased urinary IgA antibodies. It is not known how
injections of uropathogens could cause bladder IgA antibodies.
The use of oral vaccinations using e. coli membranes raises
similar questions. The authors conclude that there is a
potential for vaccination to prevent urinary tract infections
as well as chronic vaginal candidiasis. A subcutaneous vaccine
for candida ribosomes and adjuvant proteoglycans for
klebsiella pneumonia was given orally in capsule form to 22
women at a dose of 2 to 9 capsules a day for 4 days over a 3
week period, and then for 4 consecutive days a month for 5
months. Vulvovaginitis was reduced from 3.6 to .6 attacks per
6 months.
"Vaginal Flora and Urinary Tract Infections"
Reid, Gregor, Ph.D., et al
Current Opinion in Infectious Disease,
1991;4:37-41
No abstract.
Candida Albicans
[No author listed]
It is suspected that in recurrent candida albicans
vaginitis there is a decreased cellular immune response. This
study evaluated the role of circulating progesterones and the
effect on immune response to candida albicans. There was
approximately a 50% decrease in candida albicans-induced
lymphocyte proliferation observed in the presence of luteal
phase levels of progesterone 25 mg/ml, as opposed to the
proliferative phase of .15 mg/ml. It appears that progesterone
inhibits lymphocyte proliferation through a monocyte-
dependent mechanism. There also appear to be individual
differences in the capacity of a person's monocytes to down
regulate the lympho- cyte response to candida albicans. The
authors conclude that fluctuations in a woman's monocyte
activity, in response to genetic, hormonal and environmental
factors, may affect her cell mediated immune response to
candida albicans. Identifying highly susceptible females along
with augmentation of the cellular immune response to candida
albicans may be of benefit in preventing recurrent candida
vaginitis.
"Regulation of The Immune Response to Candida
Albicans by Monocyte and Progesterone"
Kalo-Klein, Aliza, Ph.D. and Witkin, Steven S.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
1991;164:1351-4
No abstract.
Hydrogen Peroxide Producing Organisms
[No author listed]
Lactobacillus in the vaginal tract produces hydrogen
peroxide. It is present in 96% of normal vaginas but is absent
in women suffering from chronic vaginosis. It is noted that
the production of hydrogen peroxide by lactobacilli can be
toxic to Gardenerella vaginalis. Hydrogen peroxide, halides
such as chlorides, and enzyme peroxidase are toxic to the
reproduction of bacteria, viruses and mammalian cells.
Chloride and peroxidase are found in the cervical mucus and at
certain levels in the vaginal fluid. Hydrogen peroxide is
produced by lactobacilli. The author states that there may be
a simple procedure of recolonization of the vagina, using
peroxide producing bacteria and thereby eliminating the
vaginosis.
"Hydrogen Peroxide-Producing Organisms Toxic To
Vaginal Bacteria"
Infectious Disease News, August 8, 1991;5
No abstract.
Vaginal Ecosystem
[No author listed]
Things that can change the vaginal flora include:
1) antibiotics, corticosteroids, antiviral and antifungal
agents, irradiation,
2) vaginal douching,
3) malformation and anatomic deformity after surgery or
radiation,
4) cysts, hymen, polyps,
5) immunosuppressive conditions such as AIDS,
6) hormonal changes, use of oral contraceptives or medicinal
therapies,
7) uncontrolled diabetes,
8) foreign objects, i.e.
9) intrauterine devices or retained tampon or diaphragm
10) and spermicides.
The vaginal flora is highly susceptible to numerous endogenous
and exogenous influences. It is noted that the current belief
is the intestinal tract is a reservoir for organisms found in
the vagina of women with bacterial vaginosis.
"The Vaginal Ecosystem"
Mardh, Per-Anders, M.D.
Mardh, Per-Anders, M.D., American Journal of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, October 1991;165(4): Part
II:1163-1168.
No abstract.
Candida Vaginitis, Lactobacillus Acidophilus and
Yogurt
[No author listed]
In 33 patients with recurrent candida vaginitis, there was
found a three-fold decrease in infections when patients
consumed yogurt containing lactobacillus acidophilus for a
period of 6 months. The mean number of infections per 6 months
was 2.54 in the control group, and .38 per 6 months in the
yogurt treated group. Candida colonization decreased from a
mean of 3.23 per 6 months in the control group to .84 for 6
months in the yogurt group. The authors conclude that daily
ingestion of 8 ounces of yogurt containing lactobacillus
acidophilus decreased both candida colonization and infection.
It is thought that candida is autoinoculated since identical
strains are seen in the mouth, anus and vaginal areas. Other
studies have shown that gastrointestinal colonization does not
have much to do with vaginal reoccurrences. There was an
association between the presence of lactobacillus species in
the rectum and the vagina. Yogurt ingestion had a marked
effect on the incidence of candida infection in the vagina and
the rectum. The lactobacillus strains in yogurt were found to
produce hydrogen peroxide. The authors feel that a
gastrointestinal strain of lactobacillus acidophilus colonized
the vaginal tract of their patients.
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