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H Bernhardt

Publications and source records attributed to H Bernhardt.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Adherence on buccal epithelial cells and germ tube formation in the continuous flow culture of clinical Candida albicans isolates.

Mucosal adherence and germ tube formation have been considered as important virulence factors of Candida albicans. We investigated 11 clinical isolates (among them six isolates from oesophageal thrush) for quantification of adherence to buccal epithelial cells and germ tube formation in the continuous flow culture in vitro, and correlated the results with the clinical data of the patients. Adherence varied considerably between the different C. albicans strains. Strains recovered from clinically, culturally and serologically confirmed oesophageal thrush adhered stronger to buccal epithelial cells. Isolates from cases with heavy colonisation but clinically without candidosis were less adherent. Only after 30 min germ tube formation was observed in the continuous flow culture. Strains with stronger adherence also showed significantly faster and increased germ tube formation. The patients with oesophageal thrush did not suffer any particular immunosuppression such as HIV infection, although in most cases chronic alcoholism was apparent. We conclude, that in cases with minor immunosuppression the expression of the virulence factors adherence and germ tube formation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of candidosis, whereas it may be of less importance in cases with severe immunosuppression. In the latter they may, however, influence outcome.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed1997

[Candida identification: experiences with the Vitek automated system].

We report about our experiences obtained with the Vitek system (bioMerieux, Nürtingen) for identification of 1160 clinical Candida isolates. The Vitek system correctly identified 1005 (86.6%) Candida isolates (probability > or = 85%): 776 (66.9%) strains were identified after 24 h of incubation, 229 (19.7%) required 48 h of incubation. In 4.4% (n = 51) we found results with a lower probability (< 85%). After 24 h of incubation 38 (14.6%) of the 260 C. tropicalis isolates tested were misidentified as C. parapsilosis; we obtained the correct results after 48 h of incubation. 104 (9%) isolates were wrongly identified after 48 h of incubation. The majority of these strains (n = 82) were biochemically minimally reactive Candida species. Overall, the Yeast Biochemical Card system provides a reliable method for the rapid, automated identification of medically important Candida species.

Automation↗
PubMed1996

[Modification of phagocytic microbicide function by antifungal agents--measuring luminol enhanced chemoluminescence in full blood].

Fungus infections are becoming more important in surgical intensive medicine, and various preparations are now available to treat them. The goal of our investigations was to determine the influence of the antimycotics in current use on the microbicide phagocytic function by measuring chemiluminescence. To this end the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence in whole blood samples from a total of 29 healthy donors was measured with a LKB 1251 Luminometer after stimulation with zymosan or a Canadida albicans preparation. We tested the substances amphotericin B, flucytosin (Ancotil), fluconazol (Diflucan) and itraconazol (Sempera), each in three different concentrations within the recommended dose range and compared the results with those in an untreated sample. For the insertions of amphotericin B or intraconazol after zymosan stimulation no significant differences in the measurements were found (50.84 vs 47.99 mV and 46.10 vs 47.89 mV) compared with the blank test. Similar situations revealed by the tests with C. albicans administration (15.21 vs 12.35 mV and 11.16 vs 11.91 mV). However, the tests with flucytosin in the higher concentration range, after stimulation with either zymosan or C. albicans, evidenced a significant reduction in the measurements (34.70 vs 52.74 mV, P<0.005, and 10.98 vs 14.57 mV, P<0.01). The tests with fluconazol showed a decrease of the chemiluminescence exclusively for the highest concentration in the C. albicans group (14.36 vs 17.20 mV, P<0.005). Our results indicate a negative influence of the phagocytes on the oxidative metabolism especially with flucytosin in the higher concentrations. This emphatically confirms demands for exact indications and dosage of antimycotics and their correct administration.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1996

[Candida in the ecological system of the orointestinal tract].

Within the microbial ecosystem of the orointestinal tract Candida spp. are common but not always detectable organisms. Therefore they belong to the transient flora. Candida spp. are found at various sites in healthy subjects in quantities between 10(2)-10(4)/ml or g. In different diseases an increased growth of Candida can occur depending on the presence of typical risk factors. In any case the yeasts only account for a minimal part of the bacterial flora. In this regard the contribution to the formation of metabolic products-in particular carbon dioxide, hydrogen and alcohols-is very small. Growth and development of Candida are dependent on nutrient and oxygen supply. In the colon under anaerobic conditions the flora competes for limited nutrients and fermentation is the dominant metabolic pathway in Candida. There is only minimal growth. Under aerobic conditions as can be demonstrated in experimental settings a marked growth with the formation of mycelium takes place. The generation time in vivo is much longer than under laboratory conditions and takes several hours. The detection of Candida in stool specimens can be interpreted in the first line only as a colonization. This is not equivalent with an infection, which, unfortunately, often is wrongly suggested in positive stool specimens.

Candida↗
PubMed1996

[In vitro susceptibility testing of Candida species against fluconazole using the microdilution test with Alamar Blue].

The investigation of susceptibility of Candida species to fluconazole was performed in microdilution to a supplemented HR-medium. The sufficient reproducibility of the test was verified using special control isolates and isolates of patients. The excellent applicability of the method in routine diagnostics was evaluated by in vitro testing of susceptibility of 279 Candida isolates from patients being colonised or suffering from endomycoses. The Candida species showed different susceptibility against fluconazole: 96% of the C. albicans isolates were sensitive, 55% of the C. glabrata isolates had a reduced sensitivity, and 26% were resistant against fluconazole (MIC > 25 micrograms/ml). C. krusei isolates were highly resistant (9 of 11 strains).

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1995

[Growth of Candida albicans in normal and altered fecal flora in the continuous flow culture model].

We used the model of fecal microflora under continuous flow culture (cfc) conditions to study the growth of Candida albicans in mixed cultures. The development of Candida is usually limited by the high germ counts of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Neither by the continuous inflow of C. albicans-cfc-monocultures nor by intermittent input of highly concentrated suspensions of C. albicans into the system a growth in fecal flora could be obtained. If the system was run under aerobic conditions a development of C. albicans with few hyphal growth could be observed. After some days however, the fecal flora again suppressed a further development of the yeasts. Only a marked destruction of the aerobic and anaerobic microflora by antibiotics resulted in a growth or overgrowth of Candida albicans.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1995

[Mycotic complications in patients with chronic liver diseases and pancreatitis].

UNLABELLED: We studied 15 patients with mostly alcoholic liver diseases and 25 patients with acute or chronic pancreatitis with regard to occurrence of yeasts in different microbiological samples and corresponding serological findings. In about a half of the patients with liver diseases yeast counts and serological titres were already raised in the first mycological investigation. Patients with pancreatitis, however, showed only little or negative cultural and serological results. This changed during the course of disease, where they developed significantly higher yeast counts and serotitres. Finally two case reports are presented: two patients with infected pancreatic pseudocysts (including a case of aspergillosis). CONCLUSIONS: in patients with decompensated chronic liver diseases an early search for mycological complications is recommended. In pancreatic diseases these complications are rather seen later in the course of the disease, especially under intensive care conditions. Therefore, we encourage surveillance cultures and control of serotitres in these patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

[Dimorphism of Candida albicans in the model of continuous flow culture].

We investigated the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans in a continuous flow culture with regard to particular growth conditions. Germ counts of only 10(7) cfu/ml were obtained in a steady state of an anaerobic culture. In a parallel experiment with aerobic conditions excessive growth occurred and the invasive forms of Candida, i.e. germ tubes and pseudomycelium, also developed. Neither by different carbohydrates and concentration of nutrients in the culture medium nor by changing the flow rate the growth of Candida could be influenced. Excessive overgrowth was triggered by a sufficient oxygen supply.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1993

["Never useful even for the most primitive accomplishments". Murder of handicapped and sick children 1939 to 1945 in the Ueckermünde district hospital].

During the Nazi era "euthanasia" of the disabled and sick was introduced with the founding of the "Reich's Commission for the Scientific Assessment of Hereditary and Genetically Determined Serious Suffering" August 1939 on 18th. The task of this commission was to organize the killing of physically and mentally disabled children in so-called "Specialized Children's Departments". In the existing literature on the killing of sick children and adolescents, reports of the "official child-euthanasia", organized by the Reich's Commission, predominate. However, independently from the Reich's Commission, many children and adolescents were murdered in the programme of adult "euthanasia". This paper will focus on the latter neglected group of victims, taking the example of the psychiatric sanatorium "Ueckermünde". A large number of participants shared responsibility, during the time of National Socialism, for the murder of disabled and sick children. Various medical specialties such as paediatrics, genetics, gynaecology, administration, general practice, psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry were involved.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[The significance of Candida antigen detection in internal medicine and surgical patients].

Three different Candida antigen tests were studied in internal-surgical patients: two tests for Candida mannan antigen (C-Mannan-Dresden, Pastorex-Candida and Cand-Tec test for cytoplasmatic antigen. Most positive findings could be seen by both tests for mannan. In cases with increased occurrence of fungi in feces, sputum, urine, and mouth smears the tests differently became negative. Some clinical cases are discussed. With increased positivity of titer courses of all 3 antigen tests the probability of detection of an endomycosis also increased.

Antigens, Fungal↗
PubMed1990

[The bacteriology of normal wound healing following tooth extraction with special reference to anaerobic microorganism diagnosis].

In 10 patients with indication to tooth extraction swaps from the microbiotopes "sulcus/gingival pocket", "root canal", "socket" and "extraction wound 2 and 7 days after extraction" were investigated bacteriologically. The anaerobic-aerobic mixed flora with predominance of anaerobes verified in the microbiotopes "sulcus/gingival pocket", "socket" and "extraction wound 2 days after extraction" was identically. The flora of the root canal was distinguished by a smaller amount of microbes with predominance of aerobes. In the 7 days old extraction wound only single aerobes could be verified whereas anaerobes were missed totally.

Alveolar Process↗
PubMed1989

[Achalasia and mycosis].

Report on a massive candidosis of the oesophagus in a 73-year-old woman with achalasia. Discussion of the possible causes and the differential diagnosis of the achalasia. Reference to the mycotic oesophagitis as one complication, apart from many others, of the lesion of the oesophagus.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Renal handling of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) in rats.

Following i.p. administration of various doses of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), ca. 50% is excreted during a 5-h diuresis experiment. After i.p. administration of MCPA, virtually no distribution occurs (Vrel = 18% of the body weight). Renal excretion of MCPA can be accelerated by inhibition of its renal tubular reabsorption. The distinct inhibition of renal excretion of MCPA by simultaneous administration of probenecid or p-aminohippurate (PAH) indicates the active tubular transport of MCPA; this transport process can be stimulated by treatment of rats with triiodothyronine. Active tubular transport of MCPA was confirmed by measurement of MCPA accumulation in renal cortical slices, both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Accumulation of MCPA under anaerobic conditions indicates an additional passive uptake and binding of MCPA in kidney tissue in accordance with the high degree of binding to plasma albumin (85%).

2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗
PubMed1989

[Therapeutic study of the effect of selective decontamination on microbial overgrowth syndrome of the small intestine].

The microbial overgrowth syndrome of the small bowel (MOS) is characterized by clinically found symptoms of increased metabolic activities of microorganisms existing in a great number in the intestinal juice of these patients. We treated 15 patients who suffered from MOS following a modified scheme of selective intestinal decontamination (SID) with oral doses of BerlocombinR (trimethoprim/sulfamerazin) and polymyxin for three weeks. Comparative investigations of duodenal juices before and after treatment showed unchanged high germ-counts (total aerobes and total anaerobes up to 10(7) germs/ml juice). Only the increase of Clostridium (up to 10(6)/ml) was statistically significant which has to be disapproved. In most of the patients there was no subjective improvement. SID in the examined manner is not able to cure a microbial overgrowth in the upper gastrointestinal tract or to reduce facultatively pathogenic microorganisms.

Adult↗