Brucella endocarditis: clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic approach.

Brucella endocarditis is an uncommon focal complication of brucellosis. Presented here are 11 cases of Brucella endocarditis, all managed uniformly. The median duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was 3 months.

The effect of propofol on the interaction of platelets with leukocytes and erythrocytes in surgical patients.

Unlabelled: We tested the antiplatelet effect described for propofol in vitro in surgical patients. Platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate, collagen, and arachidonic acid was tested in samples of whole blood, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), PRP with red blood cells, and PRP with leukocytes. Also measured were platelet production of thromboxane (Tx)B(2) and leukocyte production of 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1 alpha) (a stable metabolite of prostacyclin) and plasma levels of nitrites + nitrates (indicator of nitric oxide production).

Development and evaluation of a PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosis of human brucellosis.

In order to overcome some of the limitations of conventional microbiological techniques in the diagnosis of human brucellosis, a simple PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELISA) was developed. After amplification of a 223-bp sequence of a gene that codes for the synthesis of an immunogenetic membrane protein specific for the Brucella genus (BCSP31), the digoxigenin-labeled amplified product was hybridized with a biotinylated capture probe which was complementary to the inner part of the amplicon. The hybrid was captured on streptavidin-coated microtiter plates and detected by using an antidigoxigenin Fab-peroxidase conjugate.

Malassezia species in skin diseases.

Since the taxonomic revision carried out in 1996, enlarging the genus Malassezia to comprise seven different species, a number of studies have investigated from different points of view -- mycological, molecular and immunological -- the relationships of these species with the pathologies associated with lipophilic yeasts, as well as its presence in healthy skin. From these studies, it now appears clear that Malassezia globosa is the main species associated with pityriasis versicolor, which is the only cutaneous disease in which the involvement of Malassezia is undisputed. Nevertheless, this species can also be found in normal skin, in which the predominant species is Malassezia sympodialis.

Chronic hepatosplenic abscesses in Brucellosis. Clinico-therapeutic features and molecular diagnostic approach.

In order to analyze the clinical and therapeutic features of chronic hepatosplenic abscesses, and to define the diagnostic yield of new molecular techniques, we describe seven cases, four hepatic and three splenic, of this uncommon complication of Brucellosis. Onset of symptoms in all cases was insidious and the diagnostic delay considerable. Abdominal CT scan showed large, poorly defined lesions, with heterogeneous attenuation and thick central calcifications surrounded by hypointense areas.