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F Staib

Publications and source records attributed to F Staib.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Purification and characterisation of an extracellular serine proteinase from Aspergillus fumigatus and its detection in tissue.

A serine proteinase (Alp) from the culture supernate of a clinical isolate of Aspergillus fumigatus was purified to virtual homogeneity at a yield of 41%. The procedure involved affinity chromatography on agarose-epsilon-amino-caproyl-D-tryptophan methyl ester. Alp had an estimated mol. wt of 32 Kda and the pI was determined at pH 7.9. The enzyme was fully inhibited by phenylmethyl sulphonyl fluoride, chymostatin and alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, and it was largely inhibited by alpha-1-anti-chymotrypsin. Partial inhibition was observed with tosyl-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone, but tosyl-lysine chloromethyl ketone was ineffective. Thus, Alp may be identical with the major chymotryptic activity of A. fumigatus, which has already been described. The N-terminal sequence of 25 amino acids revealed an 88% homology of Alp with the subtilisin-related proteinase of A. oryzae. Alp acted on casein over a broad range from pH 5.5 to 11.5 and also acts to a lesser extent on haemoglobin and serum albumin. The enzyme degraded elastin and a synthetic elastase substrate; hence, it may be identical with the previously described elastinolytic activity of the fungus. At pH 7.3 and a concentration of 1 microgram/ml, Alp was not toxic for Vero cells, but it efficiently detached such cells from a plastic surface. Specific antibodies against Alp were detected by enzyme immunoassay in the sera of patients and Alp-antigen was demonstrated by immunofluorescence in mycotic human lung. In addition, a second proteinase (Exalp) with extremely alkaline activity, and an aspartic proteinase of A. fumigatus are described.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Osteomyelitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans in advanced age. Case report and review of literature.

In an 84-year-old man cryptococcosis with a pronounced osteomyelitic course (involvement of a rib, two thoracic vertebrae, the sacrum and a femur) was diagnosed histologically post mortem, thus directing attention to cryptococcosis in advanced age. The presumptive chronic course of the Cryptococcus neoformans (Cr. n.) infection in this patient was ascribed to chronic kidney failure, diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive lung disease. Special reference is made to the mycological and radiological diagnosis of cryptococcosis of the bones as well as to its pathogenesis, therapy and epidemiology.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Cryptococcus neoformans meningoencephalitis and multiple infections in AIDS].

A 40-year old homosexual AIDS patient recovering from a Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia developed a Cryptococcus neoformans infection with involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) which could be treated successfully with amphotericin B and flucytosine. After a symptom-free interval of 4 1/2 months, a new acute fatal disease of the CNS did not reveal a cryptococcosis relapse but a necrotizing Toxoplasma encephalitis, a cytomegalovirus infection and striking cultural findings of Staphylococcus aureus in all organs examined. Neither by culture nor by histology Cr. neoformans could be detected in the CNS or in the other organs examined. The temporal course of the Cr. neoformans infection and its specific diagnosis are commented. It is demonstrated that (during or after successful therapy of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) a specific cultural examination of specimens from the respiratory tract for Cr. neoformans is needed, in order to recognize a Cr. neoformans infection in its primary stage, i.e. before hematogenous dissemination of Cr. neoformans leading to the secondary stage of the infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Aspergillus findings in AIDS patients suffering from cryptococcosis.

Because of the known pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans and of aspergilli depending on defined but different immunodeficiencies of the host, the evaluation of their simultaneous cultural detection in specimens of the respiratory tract of AIDS patients is of epidemiological, diagnostic, pathogenetic and therapeutic interest. In 10 out of 15 AIDS patients the following species of the genus Aspergillus could be isolated either once or repeatedly during the course of Cr. neoformans infections in specimens from the respiratory tract: A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. nidulans, A. niger and A. glaucus. From the 10 different case reports the conclusion can be drawn that the cultural findings of aspergilli in specimens from the respiratory tract during the course of cryptococcosis were of no pathogenic significance. Rather, they should be interpreted as inhaled and not yet germinated conidia still capable of growth lacking primary pathogenicity for the AIDS patient. The significance of serodiagnosis for the evaluation of the simultaneous occurrence of Cr. neoformans and Aspergillus spp. is demonstrated and discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Use of the membrane filtration technique and Staib agar for the detection of Cryptococcus neoformans in the urine of AIDS patients--a contribution to diagnosis, therapy and pathogenesis of cryptococcosis.

For the cultural control of Cryptococcus neoformans (Cr.n.), among the routinely examined standard specimens like CSF, sputum, blood, etc., urine earns special attention. The combination of membrane filtration technique (MFT) and Staib agar for the detection of Cr.n. from body fluids as described by Staib in 1963 was used for the cultural isolation of Cr.n. from urine of AIDS patients. In 3 examplary cases the diagnostic significance of this method could be demonstrated: The brown colour effect (BCE) of Cr.n. of a single CFU, as well as in colonies growing with a high density, was produced on average within 3-5 d/26 degrees C. The method was found to be useful for the evaluation of antimycotic therapy. One example of the survival of a few CFUs of Cr.n. under treatment with fluconazole as compared to the efficacy of therapy with amphotericin B + flucytosine, and one example of a re-emergence of Cr.n. in the urogenital tract after a too short duration of treatment with amphotericin B + flucytosine are shown. For the exclusion of the survival of single CFUs of Cr.n. in the urogenital tract of males, quantities up to 1 l of urine for the combination of MFT and Staib agar are proposed. As a secondary observation, it was found that this diagnostic combination in addition to its primary purpose, can serve to detect the metabolic end products of the human body present in urine which may influence capsule formation of Cr.n. neoformans.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Cryptococcus neoformans in the seminal fluid of an AIDS patient. A contribution to the clinical course of cryptococcosis.

In a 33-year-old HIV-positive homosexual male suffering from unexplained headache, cryptococcosis was diagnosed in a progressive secondary stage. After treatment with the standard combination therapy of amphotericin B + flucytosine for 34 d, the patient was clinically symptom-free and discharged, upon his own request, from the hospital. He remained under ambulatory mycological control. After an interval of 65 d during which the urine had been free from Cryptococcus neoformans (Cr.n.), the fungus could not be isolated from urine but 3 X 10(5) CFUs/ml were found in the seminal fluid. Andrologically, teratospermia and hyposemia were present. There were no clinical signs in the genitourinary tract including the prostate. The significance of ecological niches for Cr.n. colonization of the genitourinary tract after antimycotic therapy is discussed. In such cases, in addition to cultural examination of urine for Cr.n. by the membrane filtration technique (MFT) and Staib agar, an additional cultural examination of seminal fluid is recommended. It is also proposed to pay more attention to Cr.n. in andrological examinations. Special regard should be given to a possible occurrence of Cr.n. in the seminal fluid of AIDS patients. In cytology of the seminal fluid, use of the Giemsa stain is unsuitable for the purpose of Cr.n. detection. For this reason, it should be supplemented by PAS staining.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Staib agar supplemented with a triple antibiotic combination for the detection of Cryptococcus neoformans in clinical specimens.

It was demonstrated that the in vitro growth of a mucoid Escherichia coli strain from the urine of an AIDS patient could disturb the concurrent growth of Cryptococcus neoformans and the development of its brown colour effect (BCE) on Staib agar (syn. Guizotia abyssinica creatinine agar, bird seed agar, niger seed agar etc.) supplemented with penicillin + streptomycin. Owing to the supplementation with the triple antibiotic combination of penicillin + streptomycin + gentamicin and the resulting inhibition of E. coli growth, the formation of an intense BCE of the Cr. neoformans colonies after 3 d at 26 degrees C could be observed. On the same medium supplemented with this triple antibiotic combination 40 Cr. neoformans strains tested showed growth with an intense BCE after 3 d at 26 degrees C; but on Emmons' neutral Sabouraud's dextrose agar (NSDA) supplemented with the same triple antibiotic combination, inhibition of growth was found. For the examination of clinical specimens for Cr. neoformans contaminated with gram-negative rod-like bacteria, Staib agar supplemented with this triple antibiotic combination is proposed. Various antibiotic supplements to primary recovery media for fungi are discussed and ecological interrelations of bacteria and fungi are emphasized.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1979

[Localised aspergillosis and oxalosis of the lung caused by aspergillus niger: soil of ornamental plants as a reservoir of aspergilli (case report) (author's transl)].

Haemoptysis occurred in a 64-year-old man with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, negative for M. tuberculosis. Precipitating antibodies to Aspergillus niger were found in serum and the fungus found in sputum. Autopsy revealed aspergilloma, colonization of the pulmonary cavity by A. niger and local oxalosis if the cavity wall. Ornamental plant soil containing A. niger conidia, as well as the air in the patient's living-room, was the probable source of infection.

Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary↗
PubMed1979

[Orbital aspergillosis--a contribution to its diagnosis and treatment (author's transl)].

In connection with a case report, the mycological diagnosis and treatment of orbital aspergillosis are reviewed. In a 59-year-old male patient an exophthalmus on the right side could be diagnosed as aspergillosis spreading from the corresponding sinus maxillaris into retro- and peri-orbicular regions, after other causes had been excluded by differential diagnosis. In a biopsy specimen from the retrobulbar tumor, a fungal granuloma was found which, histologically and by isolation of the fungus, could be identified as an infection by A. fumigatus. Because of the good visus of the right eye, no exenteratio orbitae but an enoral revision of the sinus maxillaris, ethmoidal bone, and bottom of orbita was performed.--By infusions of amphotericin B and local washings with pimaricin (natamycin) in the sinus maxillaris and the region of the operation, a complete healing of the mycotic process was achieved.--Since 1 1/2 years, the patient has not had a relaps. This success of therapy was possible by exemplary cooperation of otorhinolaryngologists, ophthalmologists, pathologists and microbiologists.--In view of the prophylaxis of such infections, recent contributions to the epidemiology of aspergillosis are discussed.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1978

Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger in two potted ornamental plants, cactus (Epiphyllum truncatum) and clivia (Clivia miniata). Biological and epidemiological aspects.

The presence and growth of Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger in the soil of ornamental plants have been demonstrated. The ecological conditions in the soil of such plants as influenced by temperature, humidity, desiccation, fertilization and ventilation obviously influence such fungal growth. The epidemiological significance of these findings is of interest with a view to the present efforts to control aspergillosis in the environment of susceptible persons. Observations of a preferential growth of certain Aspergillus species in the soil of defined plants under defined conditions raise problems of soil microbiology.

Aspergillosis↗
PubMed1978

Epidemiology of Cryptococcus neoformans.

The concept of the epidemiology of Cryptococcus neoformans as the causative agent of cryptococcosis and as a basidiomycetous yeast is based on the fact that bird manure has been until now its only known habitat but not plant material which likewise harbours various nonpathogenic Cryptococcus species. It could be shown that the possible influence of nutritional factors on the morphology and morphogenesis earns attention not only in view of the epidemiology of C. neoformans but of its perfect states, too.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Serum-albumin agar used as slant for the differentiation between Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes: specific reg pigmentation of T. rubrum.

Trichophyton rubrum strains freshly isolated from clinical material exhibited red pigment formation within 7 days at 26 degrees C on slant serum-albumin agar, initial pH 7.0. In Trichophyton mentagrophytes strains this phenomenon could not be observed. Since in the case of T. rubrum, yellow pigmentation will appear at an initial pH of 5.0, the use of initial pH values of 7.0 and 5.0 is recommended for diagnostic application of slant serum-albumin agar.

Agar↗
PubMed1978

[Occurrence of Aspergillus fumigatus in West Berlin - contribution to the epidemiology of aspergillosis (author's transl)].

The increasing incidence of human A. fumigatus infections particularly such of the respiratory tract has led to this study of the epidemiological situation. During the period between October 1968 and December 1977, A. fumigatus was isolated from clinical material in 425 cases. These findings which were established at the Mycology Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Federal Health Office, exhibited the following distribution by regions of the body or type of specimen: respiratory tract 277 (65.1(); venous blood 58 (13.6%); urine 3 (0.7%); stools 9 (2.1%) and others 78 (18.3%). Approximately two thirds of these findings were made during the period from October to March and about one third between April and September. The presence of A. fumigatus in the air both indoors and outdoors and also in the environment of patients suffering from aspergillosis was studied with the aid of the sedimentation-method. This method was chosen because the occurrence of A. fumigatus conidia in the air is of epidemiological interest. The number of isolations of A. fumigatus from outdoors samples was low, so the search for inhalative conidia concentrated upon sites near A. fumigatus habitats. These studies revealed that aspergillosis patients, clinical material sampled from them, decaying plant material (agriculture, horticulture), and used clothes and linen may form foci for the spread of A. fumigatus conidia. The control of aspergillosis in the hospital environment involves in particular a control of aspergillosis patients by means of culture and serology (preferably by ghe immunodiffusion test). Numerous recommendations are made on how to prevent A. fumigatus infections in hospitals, at the working site, and in the laboratory.

Air Microbiology↗