Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E S Kuttin.
An infection with Histoplasma capsulatum was diagnosed in two wild badgers (Meles meles) in northern Germany, which was predominantly localized in the skin and the regional lymph nodes. The yeast-like fungi were identified in tissue sections using histological and immunohistological methods.
We describe the first case of histoplasmosis due to infection with Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum in a wild badger (Meles meles) in Austria. Diagnosis was established by histopathological and immunohistochemical characterization of yeast forms in skin lesions and lymph nodes. Although Austria has yet to be regarded as an endemic region for H. capsulatum, infections of animals and humans exposed to contaminated soil cannot be excluded.
BACKGROUND: Moulds are ubiquitous indoor as well as outdoor allergens and therefore potential candidates for indoor environmental control measures. However, very few studies have been performed to examine the significance of indoor moulds in allergic diseases and the effectiveness of measures to reduce the quantity of indoor moulds has not been established. OBJECTIVE: To determine the significance and the contribution of moulds to allergic manifestations. METHODS: Prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in 395 members of a rural community were examined by questionnaire and examination of medical files. The atopic status in general and allergy to moulds was determined by skin-prick tests (SPTs) to a panel of aeroallergens including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria and Cladosporium. A study of indoor mould levels was performed by placing SDA plates in 59 houses. The type of fungi and the number of colonies from each species were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-two subjects, comprising 10.9% of the study group had positive SPT to moulds, 61.9% of those were classified as symptomatic. When taking into account individuals with a borderline positive SPT to moulds, an additional 23 had positive results. Of the 65 mould-positive subjects, 48% were symptomatic and of the 13 who were allergic to moulds alone, only two had allergic symptoms. Viable moulds were recovered from all 59 houses examined. The most common isolated genus was Aspergillus, followed by Penicillium, Alternaria and Cladosporium. Aspergillus was also the most abundant mould in houses. There was no significant correlation between the abundance of moulds, positive SPT to that mould and symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: Viable moulds are common in houses in temperate climates. Allergy to moulds itself has a low predictive value to development of allergic symptoms, but allergy to moulds in otherwise atopic subjects increases the risk of symptomatic allergic disease.
A repeated isolation of Malassezia pachydermatis Weidman from a scarlet macaw is reported. This is the first report of birds infected with this yeast.
Spontaneous aspergilloma in the para-nasal cavities of 2 rats, and a chronic granuloma with grains, caused by Gram-positive cocci in the maxillary sinus of a mouse, are reported.
An attempt to infect the upper respiratory tract of mice and rats with various bacteria and fungi by intranasally instillation was performed. Cryptococcus neoformans was the only agent to invade the tissue. The infection was limited to the nasopharynx, a phenomenon which probably indicates the presence of a specific chemotaxis or receptor.
A survey of ringworm in camels showed over 25% of young animals suffered from T. verrucosum infection, and fewer than 0.5% of the camels had T. mentagrophytes. Amino acid analyses of hair samples taken from human, camel and cow showed the compositions were similar to within 11%.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Mice and rabbits immunized intraperitoneally or intradermally with an ethanol-killed crude Candida albicans antigen and non-immunized controls were infected intravenously with C. albicans. The mortality rates clearly demonstrated immune protection, although the proportion of dead cells in the Candida immunization dose was inversely related to the degree of protection. Histopathological observations demonstrated distinct differences in the morphology of the fungal cells as well as in the host tissue reaction between the immunized and the non-immunized animals.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.