Curr Med Mycol 2016 Sep;2(3):1-4

Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.

Background And Purpose: Candidiasis is a widespread fungal infection caused by different Candida species. Rapid identification of Candida species in clinical laboratory is becoming increasingly important since the identification and discrimination of ethological agents for early treatment. We aimed at molecular identification of commonly Candida species isolated from clinical samples by using both PCR-RFLP assay and amplification of hwp1 gene. Read More

J Med Microbiol 2017 Jun 13;66(6):808-815. Epub 2017 Jun 13.

1​Department of Pathological Sciences, Center for Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid km 380 - 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Purpose: Diabetic patients seem to be predisposed to cutaneous candidiasis. In this study, we evaluated the interference of diabetic conditions in alloxan-induced diabetic mice in relation to the development of C. albicans infection, density of M1 and M2 macrophages, distribution of collagen type I and III and anti-inflamamatory cytokines involved in tissue repair. Read More

Indian Dermatol Online J 2017 May-Jun;8(3):192-194

Department of Dermatology, National University Health System, Singapore.

The Trichosporon species are yeast-like opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients. Trichosporon asahii infections have been reported in pediatric bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients. However, its incidence is low in the adult literature. Read More

J Cosmet Laser Ther 2017 May 11:1-4. Epub 2017 May 11.

a Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal University , Manipal , India.

Numerous skin lesions have been commonly observed in individuals with diabetes mellitus. The common skin manifestations of diabetes mellitus are erythrasma, xanthomatosis, xanthelasma, phycomycetes and cutaneous infections like furuncolosis, candidiasis, carbuncle, dermatophytosis, etc. Diabetic dermopathy is the most common skin lesion found in patients with diabetes. Read More

Saudi J Biol Sci 2017 May 2;24(4):907-914. Epub 2016 Jan 2.

Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Specialized Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.

Mobile phones communicate with base stations using 900 MHz microwaves. The current study was aimed to survey the effects of long-term 900 MHz microwave exposure of mice on experimentally induced cutaneous candidiasis. Forty inbred, male, BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups. Read More

J Dermatol 2017 Aug 22;44(8):e206-e207. Epub 2017 Apr 22.

Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.

Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2017 May;56(5_suppl):16S-22S

1 Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Mild diaper dermatitis often occurs in children before toilet training is complete, particularly from 9 to 12 months of age, and the most common presentation is an irritant contact dermatitis. Diaper dermatitis may account for up to 25% of dermatology visits to health care providers during the first year of life. Fortunately, since the introduction of hypoallergenic, superabsorbent modern disposable diapers, the incidence and severity of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis has decreased dramatically. Read More

FP Essent 2017 Feb;453:26-32

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Medicine Dermatology Residency Program, 410 Market St. Suite 400 CB#7715, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

Skin infections account for a significant subset of dermatologic conditions of childhood. Common cutaneous viral infections in children include warts, molluscum contagiosum, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and herpes simplex. Although viral infections are self-limited and often only mildly symptomatic, they can cause anxiety, embarrassment, and health care use. Read More

FP Essent 2017 Feb;453:11-17

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Medicine Dermatology Residency Program, 410 Market St. Suite 400 CB#7715, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

Skin findings during the initial month of life are ubiquitous. One study estimated that more than 95% of newborns have cutaneous findings, which often are distressing to parents but frequently are benign and self-limited. Among them are milia, cutis marmorata, congenital dermal melanocytosis, and the benign neonatal pustular eruptions (eg, benign cephalic pustulosis, erythema toxicum neonatorum, transient neonatal pustular melanosis). Read More

J Physiol Pharmacol 2016 Dec;67(6):851-858

Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain.

Econazole is an anti-mycotic agent widely used for the treatment of cutaneous fungal infections, and for the therapy of vaginal candidiasis. Topical application of this azole is generally safe, although some patients have complained of mild burning sensation/cutaneous irritation and itching, especially when administered intravaginally. The underlying mechanisms responsible of these adverse effects are poorly understood, though they suggest excitation of cutaneous nociceptor terminals. Read More

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2017 Jun 4;36(6):949-956. Epub 2017 Feb 4.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.

The true burden of fungal infection in Pakistan is unknown. High-risk populations for fungal infections [tuberculosis (TB), diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, asthma, cancer, transplant and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection] are numerous. Here, we estimate the burden of fungal infections to highlight their public health significance. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2017 May;64(10):1387-1395

Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee.

Background: Congenital cutaneous candidiasis (CCC) is a challenging diagnosis due to various rash presentations. Inadequate early treatment is associated with high rates of dissemination and death. The effects of early diagnosis, dermatologic presentation, and antifungal treatment on outcomes are lacking. Read More

Pediatr Dermatol 2017 Mar 23;34(2):201-203. Epub 2017 Jan 23.

Department of Dermatology, Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Sede Breña, Lima, Peru.

Keratitis ichthyosis deafness (KID) syndrome is a rare genodermatosis with a high risk of cutaneous malignancy and infections. Infections can induce pseudocarcinomatous epidermal hyperplasia, leading to erroneous diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. We present a pediatric case of KID syndrome with vegetating plantar and acral candidiasis and highlight the importance of correct biopsy technique and clinicopathologic correlation in appropriate management. Read More

Nanomedicine 2017 Apr 20;13(3):1117-1126. Epub 2016 Dec 20.

Department of Pharmaceutics, Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi, India.

This study aimed to develop nanoemulsions (NEs) for the topical delivery of Amphotericin B using lipids and surfactants with innate antifungal activity. NEs were formulated by a slow spontaneous titration method and characterized for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, zone of inhibition (ZOI), in vitro release, enhanced ex vivo rat skin permeation-deposition, hemolysis followed by interaction with the skin using scanning electron microscopy, and histopathology. The ZOI values of the optimized NEs (ANE3) were 21. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2017 May 9;31(5):887-893. Epub 2017 Jan 9.

Department of Odontology, Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark.

Background: Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology affecting the skin and oral mucosa. Oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs), like oral contact reactions, may resemble oral lichen planus (OLP) both clinically and histopathologically. As OLP and OLL are hyperkeratotic diseases and filaggrin is essential to keratinization, the distribution of filaggrin may be altered in these lesions. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016 Dec 7;113(51):E8277-E8285. Epub 2016 Dec 7.

Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, INSERM UMR 1163, 75015 Paris, France;

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is defined as recurrent or persistent infection of the skin, nails, and/or mucosae with commensal Candida species. The first genetic etiology of isolated CMC-autosomal recessive (AR) IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) deficiency-was reported in 2011, in a single patient. We report here 21 patients with complete AR IL-17RA deficiency, including this first patient. Read More

Drug Des Devel Ther 2016 22;10:3805-3816. Epub 2016 Nov 22.

Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, D.I.Khan, Pakistan.

Background: Vitiligo is a repugnant and odious dermatological malady of the time. It has an detrimental impact on the pigmentation of the human skin as a result of the destruction of cutaneous melanocytes. It affects 1%-2% of the population worldwide. Read More

Sci Rep 2016 Nov 29;6:37867. Epub 2016 Nov 29.

Clinical Microbiology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu Tawi-180 001, India.

The present study was designed to investigate the potency of hydroxychavicol on selected cutaneous human pathogenic fungi by the use of in vitro and in vivo assays and mechanistic characterization along with toxicological effects. Hydroxychavicol consistently displayed a fungicidal effect against all fungal species tested. Inoculum concentrations over the range of 10(4) to 10(7) CFU/ml did not significantly alter its antifungal potential and time-kill curve results revealed concentration-dependent killing. Read More

J Epidemiol Glob Health 2017 Mar 19;7(1):63-70. Epub 2016 Nov 19.

Department of Dermatology, Government Medical College, Alappuzha, Kerala, India.

Background/objective: Pregnant women experience a myriad of physiological and metabolic changes that affect different organ systems in the body. Cutaneous and appendageal alterations that manifest during pregnancy are largely modulated by hormonal, immunologic, and metabolic factors. Detailed reports encompassing physiological changes and specific dermatoses of pregnancy and effects of various dermatoses on pregnant women are scanty in literature. Read More

Int J Nanomedicine 2016;11:5531-5547. Epub 2016 Oct 25.

Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University.

Terconazole (Tr) is the first marketed, most active triazole for vaginal candidiasis. Owing to poor skin permeation and challenging physicochemical properties, Tr was not employed for the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis. This is the first study to investigate the relevance of novel lecithin-integrated liquid crystalline nano-organogels (LCGs) to improve physicochemical characteristics of Tr in order to enable its dermal application in skin candidiasis. Read More

J Exp Med 2016 Oct 19;213(11):2413-2435. Epub 2016 Sep 19.

Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1163, 75015 Paris, France.

Combined immunodeficiency (CID) refers to inborn errors of human T cells that also affect B cells because of the T cell deficit or an additional B cell-intrinsic deficit. In this study, we report six patients from three unrelated families with biallelic loss-of-function mutations in RLTPR, the mouse orthologue of which is essential for CD28 signaling. The patients have cutaneous and pulmonary allergy, as well as a variety of bacterial and fungal infectious diseases, including invasive tuberculosis and mucocutaneous candidiasis. Read More

Mycopathologia 2017 Apr 2;182(3-4):409-412. Epub 2016 Nov 2.

Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Copernicus Hospital in Gdansk, Al. Jana Pawla II 50, 80-462, Gdansk, Poland.

Fournier gangrene is a rare, rapidly progressive, life-threatening condition. We report a 23-day-old boy with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect treated surgically, who developed Fournier gangrene. Emergency surgery was performed with tissue sampling for microbiological examination. Read More

J Leukoc Biol 2017 Jan 1;101(1):29-38. Epub 2016 Nov 1.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine "Angelo Nocivelli," University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; and

STAT proteins are a family of transcription factors that mediate cellular response to cytokines and growth factors. Study of patients with familial susceptibility to pathogens and/or autoimmune diseases has led to the identification of 7 inherited disorders that are caused by mutations of 4 STAT family genes. Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations of STAT1 lead to complete or partial forms of STAT1 deficiency that are associated with susceptibility to intracellular pathogens and herpetic infections. Read More

Mycoses 2017 Mar 20;60(3):166-177. Epub 2016 Oct 20.

Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Local delivery of imidazolic antifungals is limited by its extreme lipophilicity. Multiple emulsions (ME) are a potential vehicle to enhance the delivery of econazole nitrate (ECN), an antifungal targeted to deep-seated epidermal yeast infections. An 1% ECN hydrophilic ME was compared with a commercial formulation in terms of rheology, droplet size and in vitro antifungal activity against Candida species. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2016 Oct 31;30(10):e47-e49. Epub 2015 Aug 31.

Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.

J Drugs Dermatol 2016 Oct;15(10):1267-1269

Objective: To describe a case in which a patient developed Candida esophagitis (CE) after treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for 22 months.

Case Summary: A 59-year-old Caucasian female with long-standing history of AD successfully treated with MMF presented to the dermatology clinic for follow-up appointment with 3 months' history of projectile vomiting, choking, and trouble swallowing. Patient underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) that demonstrated whitish plaques in esophagus consistent with CE, which was confirmed by biopsy and cytology. Read More

Jundishapur J Microbiol 2016 Jul 5;9(7):e34151. Epub 2016 Jul 5.

Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Infection Diseases Research Center with Focus on Nosocomial Infection, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, IR Iran.

Background: Candida species, as opportunistic organisms, can cause various clinical manifestations, ranging from mild cutaneous infections to systemic candidiasis in otherwise healthy individuals. Remarkably, the incidence and mortality rates of candidemia have significantly increased worldwide, even after advances in medical interventions and the development of novel antifungal drugs.

Objectives: Given the possible resistance to antifungal agents, susceptibility testing can be useful in defining the activity spectrum of antifungals and determining the appropriate treatment regime. Read More

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2017 Mar-Apr;83(2):205-211

Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Government Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, India.

Background: There are few population-based studies on prevalence of cutaneous problems in diabetes mellitus.

Aims: To identify skin problems associated with diabetes mellitus among elderly persons in a village in Kerala.

Methods: In this population-based cross-sectional survey, we compared the prevalence of skin problems among 287 elderly diabetics (aged 65 years or more) with 275 randomly selected elderly persons without diabetes mellitus. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2016 Sep 20;16:495. Epub 2016 Sep 20.

Chronic Diseases Clinic of Ifakara, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania.

Background: Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome associated with dermatophytoses (tinea-IRIS) may cause considerable morbidity. Yet, it has been scarcely reported and is rarely considered in the differential diagnosis of HIV associated cutaneous lesions in Africa. If identified, it responds well to antifungals combined with steroids. Read More

Mycoses 2016 Sep 7. Epub 2016 Sep 7.

Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Superficial candida infections of the skin are common, but deep cutaneous candidiasis, including secondary dissemination to the skin from systemic candidiasis, candidaemia or primary invasion due to skin defects such as trauma, is rare. These patients are usually immunosuppressed, but immunocompetent hosts can be affected as well. Candida albicans is the most common pathogen. Read More

Pharm Dev Technol 2017 Jun 21;22(4):617-626. Epub 2016 Sep 21.

a Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya , Bilaspur , India.

Clotrimazole (CTZ) is a broad spectrum antimycotic agent known to be very effective locally for the treatment of fungal skin infections. The aim of this study was to study the effect of chitosan-coated microemulsion (CME) for topical delivery of CTZ and also evaluate its in vitro antifungal efficacy, ex vivo permeation and retention ability on the skin surface. The pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were developed using clove oil as oil phase, Tween 80 and propylene glycol as surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively, and distilled water as aqueous phase. Read More

Arch Pharm Res 2016 Oct 29;39(10):1482-1489. Epub 2016 Aug 29.

Department of ImmunoMicrobiology, College of Pharmacy, Dongduk Women's University, 23-1 Wolgok-Dong, Sungbuk-Gu, Seoul, 136-714, Korea.

In this study, we investigated the anti-fungal activity of glycyrol, a coumarine isolated from licorice (Glycyrrhizae Radix), in a murine model of cutaneous candidiasis caused by Candida albicans. Compared to the infected sites, located on the mice's back, of the untreated control mice, the infected sites treated with glycyrol had reduced CFU (colony forming unit) values up to 60 and 85.5 % at 20 and 40 μg/mouse of glycyrol, respectively (P < 0. Read More

Med Mycol 2017 Feb 23;55(2):228-232. Epub 2016 Aug 23.

Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The production of enzymes in clinical isolates of Candida haemulonii (Ch, n = 5), Candida duobushaemulonii (Cd, n = 4) and Candida haemulonii var. vulnera (Chv, n = 3) was identified by agar plate. Aspartic protease, phytase, caseinolytic and hemolytic activities were detected in all the isolates. Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017 Mar 20;139(3):933-949. Epub 2016 Aug 20.

Immunology Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: Dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) deficiency is a combined immunodeficiency caused by autosomal recessive loss-of-function mutations in DOCK8. This disorder is characterized by recurrent cutaneous infections, increased serum IgE levels, and severe atopic disease, including food-induced anaphylaxis. However, the contribution of defects in CD4(+) T cells to disease pathogenesis in these patients has not been thoroughly investigated. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2016 Aug 11;2016. Epub 2016 Aug 11.

Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan.

Mycopathologia 2017 Feb 8;182(1-2):67-76. Epub 2016 Aug 8.

UMKC School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA.

Countless observational studies conducted over the last century reveal that dermatophytes infect humans of every age, race, gender, and socioeconomic status with strikingly high rates. The curious disparity in dermatophyte infection patterns observed within and between populations has led countless investigators to explore whether genetics underlie a susceptibility to, or confer protection against, dermatophyte infections. This paper examines the data that offer a link between genetics and dermatophytoses and discusses the underlying mechanisms that support these observations. Read More

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 2016 Apr-Jun;30(2 Suppl 3):89-93

Chair of Dermatology, University of Rome “G. Marconi” Rome, Italy.

Candidal intertrigo is an infection of the skin caused by Candida albicans that typically occurs in opposing cutaneous or muco-cutaneous surfaces. Because Candidiasis requires a damaged and moist environment for infection, it typically occurs in areas of friction such as the skin folds of the body. Candidal intertrigo is often difficult to treat and results are often unsatisfactory. Read More

Am J Clin Dermatol 2016 Aug;17(4):329-36

Oregon Medical Research Center, Portland, OR, USA.

Many of the molecular pathways associated with psoriasis pathogenesis are also involved in host defense mechanisms that protect against common pathogens. Candida can stimulate the production of cytokines that trigger or exacerbate psoriasis, and many systemic psoriasis treatments may put patients at increased risk for developing oral, cutaneous, and genitourinary candidiasis. Therefore, dermatologists should regularly screen patients with psoriasis for signs of Candida infection, and take steps to effectively treat these infections to prevent worsening of psoriasis symptoms. Read More

Nat Med 2016 Aug 18;22(8):915-23. Epub 2016 Jul 18.

Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria.

Fungal infections claim an estimated 1.5 million lives each year. Mechanisms that protect from fungal infections are still elusive. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2016 Nov;55(11):1234-1241

Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: The current pandemic of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection, the modern era of antiretroviral therapy, and the rising incidence of multidrug-resistant TB have led to a broader spectrum of skin conditions in patients hospitalized with TB. These factors also influence investigations into possible causal relationships with TB.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe mucocutaneous conditions found in patients hospitalized with TB and to report associated factors. Read More

Transpl Infect Dis 2016 Oct 19;18(5):752-755. Epub 2016 Aug 19.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Queensland Health, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.

Candida parapsilosis is an emerging pathogen worldwide. It commonly causes soft tissue infection; however, to our knowledge there has been no previous report of monomicrobial necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) secondary to C. parapsilosis. Read More

Arch Pediatr 2016 Sep 28;23(9):887-94. Epub 2016 Jun 28.

Service de réanimation néonatale, CHU de Martinique, 97200 Fort-de-France, Martinique.

Fungal colonization is a common occurrence in preterm neonates. Our objective was to describe the profile and characteristics of fungal colonization in preterm infants admitted to the Martinique NICU. From March 2012 to January 2013, an epidemiological prospective cohort study was conducted with 57 very low-birth-weight infants. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2016 Oct 23;55(10):1164-71. Epub 2016 Jun 23.

Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.

Traditional systems of identifying yeasts and dermatophytes have many disadvantages. Preliminary data on a radically different approach based on optical spectroscopic techniques suggest that these techniques may offer some advantages. We conducted a trial to verify the practical applicability of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in the identification of some yeast and dermatophyte species, in which samples from 50 patients with superficial fungal infections were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide (actidione) and studied using FTIR microspectroscopy. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2016 Sep 21;29(5):353-357. Epub 2016 Jun 21.

Institute of Photomedicine, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China.

Cutaneous granulomas caused by Candida guilliermondii are difficult to cure. In situ photoimmunotherapy (ISPI) is a novel method composed of local photothermal therapy and immunoadjuvant. In this study, ISPI was used the first time clinically for cutaneous granuloma caused by itraconazole-resistant C. Read More

PLoS Med 2016 May 24;13(5):e1002024. Epub 2016 May 24.

Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.

Background: Little is known about the relative risk of common bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections in the general population of individuals exposed to systemic glucocorticoids, or about the impact of glucocorticoid exposure duration and predisposing factors on this risk.

Methods And Findings: The hazard ratios of various common infections were assessed in 275,072 adults prescribed glucocorticoids orally for ≥15 d (women: 57.8%, median age: 63 [interquartile range 48-73] y) in comparison to those not prescribed glucocorticoids. Read More

Trends Immunol 2016 Jul 10;37(7):440-50. Epub 2016 May 10.

Departments of Dermatology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15216, USA. Electronic address:

Candida albicans is a dimorphic commensal fungus that colonizes healthy human skin, mucosa, and the reproductive tract. C. albicans is also a predominantly opportunistic fungal pathogen, leading to disease manifestations such as disseminated candidiasis and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC). Read More

Peptides 2016 Jul 4;81:21-8. Epub 2016 May 4.

Pergamum AB, Karolinska Institutet Science Park, Fogdevreten 2, SE-171 65 Solna, Sweden; SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, Medical Device Technology, Box 857, SE-501 15 Borås, Sweden. Electronic address:

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a new class of drug candidates for the treatment of infectious diseases. Here we describe a novel AMP, HLR1r, which is structurally derived from the human milk protein lactoferrin and demonstrates a broad spectrum microbicidal action in vitro. The minimum concentration of HLR1r needed for killing ≥99% of microorganisms in vitro, was in the range of 3-50μg/ml for common Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and for the yeast Candida albicans, when assessed in diluted brain-heart infusion medium. Read More

J Low Genit Tract Dis 2016 Jul;20(3):267-71

1Maternity and Gynaecology, John Hunter Hospital; and 2Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales; 3Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Laboratory Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville; and 4Vulvar Disorders and Dermatology Clinic, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne; 5Riverina Dermatology, Wagga Wagga; and 6Anatomical Pathology, Pathology North, Hunter New England, Newcastle, New South Wales; and 7Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine if vulvar cutaneous candidosis and dermatophytosis can be distinguished by routine histopathology.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-four cases of periodic acid-Schiff-stained vulvar biopsies with a diagnosis of cutaneous mycosis were reviewed and histopathological characteristics on both periodic acid-Schiff and hematoxylin and eosin were recorded. Data were collected on age, clinical impression, microbiological results, and treatment, and all specimens underwent multiplex polymerase chain reaction analysis. Read More

Semin Cutan Med Surg 2016 Mar;35(3 Suppl 3):S51-5

Director of Dermatology Research Henry Ford Health System Detroit, Michigan.

In 1996, oral terbinafine joined itraconazole and fluconazole on the short list of systemic medications that could be used to treat onychomycosis (although fluconazole was not approved for this indication by the US Food and Drug Administration [FDA], it was commonly used for this purpose). In 1999, ciclopirox was the first topical treatment to be FDA approved. The addition of the topical antifungal agents efinaconazole and tavaborole in 2014 expanded the roster of medications available to more effectively manage onychomycosis in a wide range of patients, including those for whom comorbid conditions, concomitant medications, or patient preference limited the use of systemic antifungals. Read More