OCT offered the second best sensitivity but displayed the lowest specificity. CLSM and KOH preparation showed a high specificity and CLSM offered the best positive predictive value, similar to KOH preparation and OCT. Fungal culture showed the lowest sensitivity and the worst negative predictive value, yet culture and PCR are the only techniques able to identify genus and species. In summary, CLSM was comparable to PAS staining and superior to KOH preparation. Due to the low specificity we assess OCT not as appropriate. In the differentiation of species PCR outplays the fungal culture in terms of

time and sensitivity. “
“Candida africana is a recently described opportunistic yeast pathogen that has been linked to vaginal candidiasis. This yeast was first described, in 1995, as atypical chlamydospore-negative Candida Hydroxychloroquine solubility dmso albicans strain,

and subsequently proposed as a new Candida species on the basis of morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics clearly different from those of typical C. albicans isolates. Phylogenetic studies based on the comparison of ribosomal DNA sequences demonstrated that C. africana and C. albicans isolates are too closely related to draw any conclusions regarding the status of a new species. Therefore, on the basis of these studies, some authors considered C. africana as a biovar of C. albicans even if genetic differences may be found if additional regions of genomic DNA are sequenced. RG7420 mw The taxonomic situation of C. selleck chemical africana and its phylogenetic relationship with other Candida species is still controversial and remains, at present, a matter of debate. Our goal is to review the current knowledge about C. africana and highlight the development of rapid and accurate tests for its discrimination from C. albicans, Candida dubliniensis and Candida stellatoidea. Furthermore, through the analysis of literature data, we have found that C. africana has a worldwide distribution and a considerable number of features making its study particularly interesting. “
“Invasive fungal infections cause significant morbidity and mortality

in immunocompromised patients. Azoles, and fluconazole in particular, are very active against Candida albicans, and are used widely because of their good tolerability. However, the increasing use of azole antifungals for the treatment of mucosal and systemic Candida infections has resulted in the selection and/or emergence of resistant Candida strains. The main mechanisms of azole resistance among Candida species are the development of bypass pathways, alterations in the ERG 11 gene encoding the azole target enzyme, and the up-regulation of genes encoding efflux pumps. A better understanding of the mechanisms and clinical impact of antifungal resistance is essential to prompt and efficient treatment of patients with invasive mycoses and to improve the outcome of such infections.