Clonality in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Infected Cabbage in Eastern North Carolina.

ABSTRACT Eighty-four isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum from four cabbage production fields in North Carolina and 16 isolates from an experimental cabbage field plot in Louisiana were DNA-fingerprinted and tested for mycelial compatibility. In a comparison with 594 unique DNA fingerprints of S. sclerotiorum from Canadian canola, no fingerprints were shared among Canadian, North Carolina, and Louisiana populations.

In vitro activities of posaconazole, ravuconazole, terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole against dermatophyte, yeast and non-dermatophyte species.

The in vitro activities of two new triazole antifungal agents with broad-spectrum antifungal activity, posaconazole and ravuconazole, were compared with those of three well-established antifungal agents, terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole, against 184 clinical isolates. These included 129 dermatophyte isolates (twelve species), 25 yeast isolates (five species) and 28 non-dermatophyte isolates (nine species). In vitro testing was conducted using microdilution plates with RPMI 1640 and National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) guidelines (M27-38P) were followed, except for the preparation of the dermatophyte inoculum.

Prevalence of Malassezia species on various body sites in clinically healthy subjects representing different age groups.

To investigate the distribution of Malassezia species on four body sites (scalp, forehead, chest and back), we employed contact plates filled with Leeming-Notman agar to sample 245 clinically healthy subjects, representing six age groups (AG) (AG I, 0-3 years; AG II, 4 14 years; AG III, 15-25 years; AG IV, 26-40 years; AG V, 41-60 years; AG VI, over 60 years). The number of colony forming units was recorded for every plate positive for Malassezia species, and the species were identified. Younger individuals (< 14 years) yielded a culture positive for Malassezia significantly less frequently than did older individuals (> or = 15 years).

Evaluation of in vitro resistance in patients with onychomycosis who fail antifungal therapy.

Background: With the increased awareness of onychomycosis and the increasing use of antifungals for this indication, it is prudent to be concerned about the possible emergence of resistant strains. There has been substantial work on the development of standardized methods for testing the in vitro resistance of various fungi and yeasts to the currently available antifungal agents. However, relatively little research has been published concerning the resistance of dermatophyte species.

In vitro susceptibility testing of ciclopirox, terbinafine, ketoconazole and itraconazole against dermatophytes and nondermatophytes, and in vitro evaluation of combination antifungal activity.

Background: With the development of newer antifungal agents with activity against both yeasts and filamentous fungi, there is an increased need to develop and standardize in vitro assays that will evaluate the activity of antimycotics against filamentous fungi. In vitro analysis of antifungal activity of these agents would also allow for the comparison between different antimycotics, which in turn may clarify the reasons for lack of clinical response or serve as an effective therapy for patients with chronic infection.

Objectives: To determine the in vitro susceptibility of fungal organisms to ciclopirox, terbinafine, ketoconazole and itraconazole and to evaluate the in vitro activity and mode of interaction of ciclopirox in combination with either terbinafine or itraconazole.