[Recent knowledge allowing diagnosis and treatment of deep-seated trichosporonosis].

Abstract

Deep-seated trichosporonosis is a lethal opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. For the rapid diagnosis of this condition, we developed a novel nested-PCR assay that detects DNA specific for clinically important strains of Trichosporon in serum of patients with disseminated trichosporonosis. In this assay, two sets of oligonucleotide primers were derived from the sequence of 26 S ribosomal RNA genes of T. asahii. The specific fragment was amplified from T. asahii and T. mucoides but not from other microorganisms. In a retrospective study using serum samples of patients with disseminated trichosporonosis, the specific fragment was detected in 64% (7 of 11). To treat this infection, we studied the efficacy of rhG-CSF alone and in combination with antifungal agents against disseminated trichosporonosis in neutropenic mice. The results suggested that rhG-CSF might be a useful immunomodulator against Trichosporon infections and the therapeutic outcome might be better when used in combination with antifungal agents.

• Authors: Y Yamakami, E Yamagata, R Karashima, I Tokimatsu, P Kamberi, A Hashimoto, H Nagai, M Nasu
• Journal: Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai zasshi = Japanese journal of medical mycology (Nihon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi) Vol. 41 Issue 4 Pg. 235-9 ( 2000) ISSN: 0916-4804 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 11064321 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Adjuvants, Immunologic
• Antifungal Agents
• Biomarkers
• DNA, Fungal
• Recombinant Proteins
• Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor

Topics

• Adjuvants, Immunologic (therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Antifungal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• DNA, Fungal (blood)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Immunocompromised Host
• Mice
• Mycoses (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (methods)
• Recombinant Proteins
• Trichosporon