Physiological typing of Pseudallescheria and Scedosporium strains using Taxa Profile, a semi-automated, 384-well microtitre system.

During the last few decades, Pseudallescheria and Scedosporium infections in humans are noted with increasing frequency. Multi-drug resistance commonly occurring in this species complex interferes with adequate therapy. Rapid and correct identification of clinical isolates is of paramount significance for optimal treatment in the early stages of infection, while strain typing is necessary for epidemiological purposes.

Detection of hyphomycetes in the upper respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis.

The respiratory tract of cystic fibrosis patients is colonised by bacteria and fungi. Although colonisation by slow growing fungi such as Pseudallescheria, Scedosporium and Exophiala species has been studied previously, the colonisation rate differs from study to study. Infections caused by these fungi have been recognised, especially after lung transplants.

Selective isolation of Pseudallescheria and Scedosporium species from respiratory tract specimens of cystic fibrosis patients.

Background: Fungi of the Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium complex are known to be colonizers and infectious agents of the respiratory tract of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Colonized CF patients are at high risk for the development of disseminated scedosporiosis after lung transplantation. The detection of these fungi may be difficult, because they grow slowly and so will be overgrown by faster-developing microorganisms on the media routinely used in diagnostic laboratories.

False positivity of the Aspergillus galactomannan Platelia ELISA because of piperacillin/tazobactam treatment: does it represent a clinical problem?

Objectives: False-positive results of the galactomannan (GM) ELISA caused by concurrent administration of piperacillin/tazobactam have been reported in patients with febrile neutropenia.

Patients And Methods: This prospective study investigated different sampling times in 30 patients receiving piperacillin/tazobactam for febrile neutropenia.

Results: Prior to the first piperacillin/tazobactam infusion, a median GM index of 0.