Detection of Squalene Epoxidase Mutations in United States Patients with Onychomycosis: Implications for Management.

Resistance to oral terbinafine, the most commonly used antifungal to treat dermatophytosis and onychomycosis worldwide, is being increasingly reported. In this study, we aimed to investigate the species distribution and prevalence of squalene epoxidase mutations among toenail dermatophyte isolates. Samples from 15,683 patients suspected of onychomycosis visiting the offices of dermatologists and podiatrists in the United States were analyzed.

DNA-based detection for onychomycosis correlates better to histopathology than does fungal culture.

Onychomycosis is a prevalent disease of the nail. Traditional methods for diagnosis include direct microscopy with potassium hydroxide (KOH microscopy) and fungal culture. Other techniques using histochemical staining have higher sensitivity, but cannot identify genus or species of the infecting agent.

In vitro investigation of detectability of colorectal lymph nodes and diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer using B-mode sonography.

Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the feasibility of using high-frequency sonography to identify colorectal lymph nodes and to diagnose colorectal lymph node metastasis.

Methods: In part 1 of this study, resected colorectal tissues from 13 patients with colorectal cancer were scanned in a water bath using B-mode sonography performed at high frequency (10 MHz) to identify lymph nodes. The colorectal tissues were then carefully dissected to remove all lymph nodes.

Low levels of fluoroquinolone resistance in Escherichia coli. A five-year trend in Australia measured through the use of TSN Database Australia.

In many countries, fluoroquinolones are among the most commonly used antibacterial drugs. Concerns about bacterial resistance to these and other frequently used drugs have been raised by the medical and scientific communities. While fluoroquinolone resistance has not yet developed among many bacteria, emergence of resistance in Escherichia coli would be a problem as multiple resistances to other antibiotics is now a common problem.

TSN Database Australia, a new tool to monitor antimicrobial resistance in Australia.

An electronic network of Australian microbiology laboratories was established to monitor the emergence and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance among clinically relevant bacteria. It is believed that the data network collected approximately 42 per cent of all antibacterial susceptibility test results generated by Australian laboratories. The network comprised 94 hospitals and 9 private commercial laboratories.