Lipolytic Activity and the Utilization of Fatty Acids Associated with Bat Sebum by Pseudogymnoascus destructans.

Pseudogymnoascus destructans is the causative agent of a fungal infection of bats known as white-nose syndrome (WNS). Since its discovery in 2006, it has been responsible for precipitous declines of several species of cave-dwelling North American bats. While numerous advancements in the understanding of the disease processes underlying WNS have been made in recent years, there are still many aspects of WNS, particularly with respect to pathogen virulence, that remain unknown.

A preliminary report on the contact-independent antagonism of Pseudogymnoascus destructans by Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain DAP96253.

Background: The recently-identified causative agent of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has been responsible for the mortality of an estimated 5.5 million North American bats since its emergence in 2006. A primary focus of the National Response Plan, established by multiple state, federal and tribal agencies in 2011, was the identification of biological control options for WNS.

Effect of growth media on cell envelope composition and nitrile hydratase stability in Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain DAP 96253.

Rhodococcus is an important industrial microorganism that possesses diverse metabolic capabilities; it also has a cell envelope, composed of an outer layer of mycolic acids and glycolipids. Selected Rhodococcus species when induced are capable of transforming nitriles to the corresponding amide by the enzyme nitrile hydratase (NHase), and subsequently to the corresponding acid via an amidase. This nitrile biochemistry has generated interest in using the rhodococci as biocatalysts.

In vitro interactions of Fusarium and Acanthamoeba with drying residues of multipurpose contact lens solutions.

Purpose: To examine in vitro effects of evaporation and drying of multipurpose contact lens solutions on survival of Fusarium and Acanthamoeba.

Methods: Conidia of representative Fusarium from the 2004-2006 keratitis outbreak and trophozoites of Acanthamoeba castellanii were inoculated into commercially available multipurpose contact lens care solutions. These solutions were inoculated with 10(2)-10(6) microbial propagules/mL and were evaporated for at least 24 hours.

Relative in vitro rates of attachment and penetration of hydrogel soft contact lenses by haplotypes of fusarium.

Purpose: To investigate the relative abilities of different haplotypes of the Fusarium solani (FSSC)-Fusarium oxysporum (FOSC) complexes to attach to and invade hydrogel contact lenses.

Methods: Silicone hydrogel and traditional hydroxyethylmethacrylate soft contact lenses were exposed to conidia [10 ml in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)] of different haplotypes of fusaria associated with the Fusarium keratitis outbreak of 2004-2006. Select lenses and fungi were examined under conditions of organic enrichment.

Laboratory-scale biofiltration of acrylonitrile by Rhodococcus rhodochrous DAP 96622 in a trickling bed bioreactor.

Acrylonitrile (ACN), a volatile component of the waste generated during the production of acrylamide, also is often associated with aromatic contaminants such as toluene and styrene. Biofiltration, considered an effective technique for the treatment of volatile hydrocarbons, has not been used to treat volatile nitriles. An experimental laboratory-scale trickling bed bioreactor using cells of Rhodococcus rhodochrous DAP 96622 supported on granular activated carbon (GAC) was developed and evaluated to assess the ability of biofiltration to treat ACN.

Fusarium keratitis and contact lens wear: facts and speculations.

Over the past several decades mycotic keratitis has been considered a rare sequel to hydrogel contact lens wear. In 2005--2006 an upswing in the incidence of Fusarium keratitis was associated with a disproportionate use of one multipurpose contact lens solution (MPS, ReNu with MoistureLoc, Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY). The MPS, as manufactured and marketed, was sterile and met regulatory guidelines for antimicrobial activity.

Differences among strains of the Fusarium oxysporum-F. solani complexes in their penetration of hydrogel contact lenses and subsequent susceptibility to multipurpose contact lens disinfection solutions.

Purpose: To examine in vitro conditions for attachment and penetration of silicone hydrogel (SH) lenses by clinical isolates of the Fusarium oxysporum-F. solani complexes and the relative susceptibilities of the fusaria in the lens matrices to multipurpose contact lens solutions (MPSs).

Methods: SH soft contact lenses were soaked in Sabouraud dextrose broth (SAB) for 2 hours and transferred to 3.

PilJ localizes to cell poles and is required for type IV pilus extension in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Twitching motility allows Pseudomonas aeruginosa to respond to stimuli by extending and retracting its type IV pili (TFP). PilJ is a protein necessary for this surface-associated twitching motility and bears high sequence identity with Escherichia coli methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCP). Here, we report that whereas wild-type P.

Attachment to and penetration of conventional and silicone hydrogel contact lenses by Fusarium solani and Ulocladium sp. in vitro.

Purpose: To analyze the relative capacities of Fusarium solani and Ulocladium sp. to attach to and penetrate silicone hydrogel soft contact lenses.

Methods: Representative silicone hydrogel (SH, siloxy complexes) and conventional [hydroxyethylmethylacrylate (HEMA)] soft contact lenses were exposed to suspensions of F.

Novel repair of venous aneurysms secondary to arteriovenous dialysis fistulae.

This report describes the surgical management of 12 hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistulae in whom non-infected, fusiform venous aneurysms developed that compromised access for dialysis. The venous aneurysmal changes were too extensive to permit excision and primary veno-venous anastomosis. To avoid the use of synthetic interpositional grafts, the venous aneurysms were left in situ and reduced in size to match the diameters of the veins entering and exiting the aneurysms.

Growth and survival of Fusarium solani-F. oxysporum complex on stressed multipurpose contact lens care solution films on plastic surfaces in situ and in vitro.

Purpose: To analyze factors implicating the association of ReNu with MoistureLoc (ReNu ML) multipurpose contact lens solution (MPS) with the increased incidence of Fusarium keratitis.

Methods: Used contact lens cases with and without contact lenses and MPS containers were collected from patients with confirmed or possible Fusarium keratitis. Direct microscopy including transparent adhesive tape preparations and swab cultures were used to determine fungal colonization.

In vitro deposition of lysozyme on etafilcon A and balafilcon A hydrogel contact lenses: effects on adhesion and survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

Purpose: To compare lysozyme adsorption and absorption and bacterial adhesion interactions on conventional (etafilcon A) and silicone (balafilcon A) hydrogel contact lenses.

Method: Lysozyme concentrations and activities associated with the lenses were determined after solvent extraction (trifluoroacetic acid/acetonitrile) and directly on the lenses without extraction with micrococcal- and micro-bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assays. Cells of bacteria with radiolabeled leucine and a cell recovery procedure were used in determinations of bacterial adhesion to lenses.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and device-related nosocomial infections: implications, trends, and potential approaches for control.

For many years, device-associated infections and particularly device-associated nosocomial infections have been of considerable concern. Recently, this concern was heightened as a result of increased antibiotic resistance among the common causal agents of nosocomial infections, the appearance of new strains which are intrinsically resistant to the antibiotics of choice, and the emerging understanding of the role biofilms may play in device-associated infections and the development of increased antibiotic resistance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans are consistently identified as some of the more important agents of nosocomial infections.