Objective To determine the influence of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor on the blood brain barrier (BBB) transport of amphotericin B (AmB)..Methods An in-vitro BBB model was established with brain capillary endothelia cells (BCEC). AmB was chosen as the test drug and verapamil was chosen as the inhibitor of P-gp.Cellular uptake of AmB at different time points and with series of verapamil concentrations were performed respectively after the determination of appropriate incubation time and drug dosage by the cytotoxicity assay. The AmB concentrations of series of samples were detected using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. One-way ANOVA analysis and Bonferroni test were used for data analysis.Results The cellular transport of AmB was accumulated as the time prolonged.The inhibitor group had a significant higher cellular uptake levelsof AmBat the time point of 90 min (t=6.753,P=0.001),120 min (t=3.574,P=0.016) and 150 min (t=4.759,P=0.005) as compared with the control group.The AmB cellular uptake level increased significantly when BCEC were incubated with verapamil of 2 μmol/L (P=0.000),5 μmol/L (P=0.014),10 μmol/L (P=0.000),50 μmol/L (P=0.014),75 μmol/L (P=0.000) and 100 tμmol/L (P=0.000),respectively,compared with the control group.Conclusion The P-gp inhibitor verapamil can enhance the cellular uptake of AmB which indicates that P-gp is involved in the BBP transport of AmB.

Objective To describe the distributions of FCGR polymorphisms in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-uninfected patients with cryptococcosis,and to investigate the association of FCGR polymorphisms with the susceptibility to cryptococcosis.Methods The distributions of the four functional polymorphisms,including FCGR2A 131H/R,FCGR3A 158F/V,FCGR3B NA1/NA2,and FCGR2B 232I/T were compared between 198 cryptococcosis patients and 190 healthy controls.The polymorphisms distribution patterns were also compared between patients with central nervous system (CNS) infection and those without CNS infection.Genotyping of eight single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in FCGR were performed by multiplex SNaPshot technology using DNA extracted from blood samples.The comparison between patients and controls was performed by chi square test or Fisher exact test.Results Compared to healthy controls,the frequency of FCGR2B 232I/I increased (65％ vs 53％,x2 =4.27,P=0.039,OR=1.652,95％CI:1.02-2.67) and that of FCGR2B 232I/T decreased (27％ vs 40％,x2 =5.77,P=0.016.OR=0.542,95％CI:0.33-0.90) in patients with cryptococcal meningitis.Among immunocompetent patients,the frequency of FCGR2B 232I/I was also over-presented (69％ vs 53％,x2=4.53,P =0.033,OR=1.958,95％CI:1.05-3.66) and the FCGR2B 232I/T genotype was also less frequently observed (24％ vs 40％,x2=5.14,P=0.023,OR=0.467,95％CI:0.24-0.91) compared to healthy controls.There were 117 cases with CNS infection and 81 non-CNS infection cases.The genotype of FCGR2A 131R/Rwas over-presented (19％ vs 6％,x2 =6.48,P=0.011,OR=3.52,95％CI:1.27-9.73) and the FCGR2B 232I/T genotype was under-presented (27 ％ vs 46 ％,x2 =7.56,P =0.006,OR=0.431,95％CI:0.24-0.79) in patients with CNS infection compared with those without CNS infection.Furthermore,the frequency of FCGR2B 232I/I genotypes increased (69％ vs47％,x2 =5.47,P=0.019,OR=2.479,95％CI:1.15-5.34) and the frequency of FCGR2B 232I/T decreased (24％ vs 51％,x2 =8.66,P=0.003,OR=0.307,95％CI:0.14-0.68) in immunocompetent patients with CNS infection compared with those without CNS infection.Conclusions FCGR2A 131H/R and FCGR2B 232I/T are associated with the susceptibility to cryptococcal CNS infection,which suggests that FcγRⅡA and FcγRⅡB may contribute to the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis.

Objective To understand the clinical epidemiology of nosocomial candidemia in Huashan Hospital during a 10-year period. Methods One hundred and nine cases of nosocomial candidemia in Huashan Hospital affiliated Fudan University during the period of 1998- 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. The underlying conditions, risk factors, clinical manifestations, treatment and outcome were described. The prognostic factors were analyzed by chi square test or Fisher exact probability test. Multivariate analysis was done by multiple Logistic regression. Results The average annual incidence of nosocomial candidemia during the study period was 0.28/10 000 patients per day.The most common pathogen was C. albicans (59/109,54.1%), followed by C. tropicalis (20/109,18.3%), then C. parapsilosis (11/109, 10. 1%), C. glabrata (11/109, 10.1%), and other Candida spp. (8/109, 7.3% ). Underlying diseases frequently identified included diabetes (50,45.9%), solid malignancy (32, 29.4%), head trauma (13, 11. 9%) and stroke (12, 11.0%).There were 37 cases who died or deteriorated. The overall mortality was 34.0% and the attributable mortality was 22. 0% (24/109). In multivariate prognostic analysis, retention of central venous catheters (OR: 5.42, 95% CI: 1.68-17.41, P＝0.005), corticosteroid medication (OR: 3.69,95% CI: 1.10-12.34, P=0. 034), and severe sepsis on the day of candidemia (OR: 2.94, 95% CI:1.72-15. 21, P = 0. 003) were factors independently correlated to increased mortality. Furthermore,adequate antifungal therapy was the only independent predictor of decreased overall mortality (OR: 0. 27,95% CI: 0. 09-0. 78,P=0.015). Conclusions The incidence of nosocomial candidemia in our hospital has been increasing during the past decade. Timely diagnosis and treatment plays a key role in the management of nosocomial candidemia,

Objective To investigate the polymorphism profile of cytochrome P_(450)2C19 (CYP2C19) in Chinese patients with invasive fungal infections. Methods Two major single nucleotide polymorphism loci of the CYP2C19 gene (CYP2C19 * 2 and CYP2C19 * 3) were genotyped with PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 134 patients with invasive fungal infections and 134 healthy volunteers. Allele frequencies and the proportions of metabolizer phenotypes were compared. Results In patients with invasive fungal infections, CYP2C19 * 1, CYP2C19 * 2 and CYP2C19 * 3 alleles showed frequencies of 58.2%, 36.6% and 5.2%. In healthy volunteers, the frequencies of CYP2C19 * 1, CYP2C19 * 2 and CYP2C19 * 3 were 63.4% , 34. 3% and 2. 2%. There was no significant difference in allele frequencies between the two groups. Of the patients with invasive fungal infections, 33. 6% were homozygous extensive metabolizers, 50.0% heterozygous extensive metabolizers and 16.4% poor metabolizers. Of the healthy volunteers, 40.3% were homozygous extensive metabolizers, 48.5% heterozygous extensive metabolizers and 11. 2% poor metabolizers. The proportions of metabolizer phenotypes were similar between the two groups. Conclusions Significant CYP2C19 polymorphism was detected in both groups. Approximately two thirds of the Chinese patients were either heterozygous extensive metabolizers or poor metabolizers. The genetic polymorphism may have important effect on drug metabolism in these patients

Objective To investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms of Dectin-2 and pulmonary cryptococcosis.Methods A total of 134 non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis and 464 healthy controls were included in this case control study.The peripheral leucocyte DNA was extracted and genotyping was performed by multiplex SNaPshot technology.The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)of rs11045418 located at 5′-flanking locus of Dectin-2 gene was genotyped.Patients without predisposing conditions were compared independently.The differences of gene polymorphism distributions compared between pulmonary patients and healthy control, and between patients without predisposing conditions and healthy control.All data were analyzed withχ2 tests.Results Among the total 134 patients,82 patients had no predisposing factors.Thirty two patients met the proven diagnosis criteria and 102 patients were probable pulmonary cryptococcosis.According to the site of infection, 72 patients had local infection in lungs and 62 patients had disseminated cryptococcosis.Three samples failed in genotyping,one of which was a patient without predisposing factor.Compared with the control group,there was a trend of increasing proportion of heterozygote rs11045418 CT in the 131 pulmonary cryptococcosis patients (59% vs 50%,P =0.069,OR=1.44,95%CI :0.97-2.13),and the heterozygote was significantly increased in 81 patients without predisposing conditions(64% vs 50%,P =0.017,OR= 1 .82,95 %CI :1 .11 -2.95 ).No significant difference of genotype distribution was found between the local and disseminated infection patients.Conclusion Our study shows that rs11045418 CT heterozygote in Dectin-2 is associated with the susceptibility of pulmonary cyrptococcosis among non-HIV-infected Chinese patients,which indicated that the change of Dectin-2 receptor may play a role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary cyrptococcosis.

Objective To analyze the clinical features of patients with uncommon fungal infections in central nervous system (CNS).Methods Thirty-five patients with uncommon CNS fungal infections who were admitted to Huashan Hospital from 1997 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.The pathogens,symptoms and signs.treatments of patients were evaluated.The data were analyzed by rank sum test and Fisher'S exact test.Results Twenty-nine of the 35 patients met the definition criteria of prover CNS fungal infections,while the other 6 had probable diagnosis.Predisposing factors were found in 86% of all patients.The most common pathogens were Aspergillus and Candida species.The symptoms and signs commonly occurred including fever(22 cases),headache(19 cases), cranial neuropathy(12 cases),and meningeal irritation sign(12 cases).High white blood cell count,high protein level,and low glucose level were the main findings of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis.Patients with cerebral aspergillosis were more frequently accompanied with immunocompromised conditions, and they often got CNS aspergillosis from hematogenous dissemination or direct extension of paranasal sinus infection.Cerebral granuloma and abscess were the common clinical characteristics of CNS aspergillosis.Cerebral candidiasis often arose from neurosurgical surgery or traumatic brain injury,and these patients were usually presented with meningitis.All patients were treated with antifungal drugs and (or) surgical intervention and 77%(27/35) of the patients achieved complete or partial responses. Antifungal agents combined with surgical resection might improve outcome of patients with CNS aspergillosis; while removal or replacement of drainage tubes in combination with antifungal treatment showed satisfactory efficacy in patients with cerebral candidiasis who usually had shunt manipulation. Conclusions The incidence of CNS fungal infection, such as cerebral aspergillosis and candidiasis, is increasing. Early diagnose and therapeutic intervention are crucial for improving outcome.

Objective To describe the distribution of mannose binding lectin (MBL) genetic polymorphisms in non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with cryptococcosis in China and to verify the association of MBL polymorphisms with susceptibility to cryptococcosis.Methods The case-controlled genetic association study was conducted and 167 non-AIDS patients with cryptococcosis and 208 healthy controls were recruited. Genome DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood and MBL gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Six singlenucleotide polymorphisms ( SNP) of MBL gene were sequenced. The association of MBL polymorphisms with susceptibility to cryptococcosis were analyzed. The comparison between patients and controls was performed by chi square test or Fisher's exact test. The differences of MBL plasma concentrations between groups with different MBL genotypes were compared by single factor variance analysis. Results There were no differences between patients and controls in terms of MBL genotype frequencies, haplotypes and genotypes (all P>0. 05). Compared with healthy control, the deficient MBL-producing genotypes were strongly associated with cryptococcal meningitis (16. 5% vs 8. 7%,χ2=4.25, P=0.0392, OR = 2.09), particularly in patients without underlying immunocompromised conditions (21. 4% vs 8. 7%, χ2 =7. 15, P = 0. 0075, OR = 2. 88). Individuals with MBL deficiency genotypes showed significantly higher rates of central nervous system (CNS) cryptococcal infection rather than non-CNS cryptococcosis (16. 5% vs 3. 1%, Fisher's exact test, P = 0. 010, OR = 6. 13).The difference was even more significant in the immunocompetent patients (21. 4% vs 4. 0%, P =0.009, OR= 6. 55). Conclusion MBL deficiency is associated with cryptococcal meningitis and may play a role in CNS Cryptococcus infection.

Objective To study the clinical features and antifungal therapeutic effects in nonacquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS)patients with cryptococcal meningitis. Methods One hundred and fifty-four non-AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis admitted to Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from 1997 to 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics, initial antifungal therapies and outcome of these patients were analyzed. Continuous variables were analyzed using t test and categorical variables were compared by X~2 test or Fisher's exact test. Kaplan-Meier survival curves of different therapies were compared with log-rank test. Results Fifty-one patients (33.12%)had one or more predisposing factors. Headache, fever, meningeal irritation, vomiting and altered mental status were common clinical symptoms and signs during the course of diseases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)smear, CSF culture and detection of CSF cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide antigen were 88.44%,78.95%and 100.00%,respectively.Twelve cases were excluded because treatment durations were less than 7 days, including 9 died,2 discharged against medical advice due to illness exacerbation and 1 lost after against medical advice discharge. The remaining 142 patients were evaluated for therapeutic effects. The effective rates in amphotericin B (AmB)group, fluconazole group and AmB plus fluconazole group were 78.3%(36/46),33.3%(8/24)and 76.0%(38/50),respectively. The therapeutic effects in AmB group and AmB plus fluconazole group were superior to fluconazole group(X~2=13.6354,12.5509;P＜0.01).Eleven patients were lost during 1-year follow-up. The attributable and overall mortality in the remaining 143 patients were 19.58% and 28.67%,respectively.The 1-year survival rates in AmB group and AmB plus fluconazole group were significantly higher than that in fluconazole group. Conclusions The mortality of non-AIDS cryptococcal meningitis is still high,which is closely correlated with initial antifungal therapies. AmB alone or combined with flucytosine is related to both higher successful response and higher survival rate, while the efficacy of initial fluconazole alone or combined with flucytosine is poor.

Objective To evaluate clinical features,therapeutic effects and outcomes of patients with non-human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-infected cryptococcal meningitis treated with fluconazole or fluconazole and flucytosine.Methods Twenty-four cases of non-HIV-infected cryptococcal meningitis(fluconazole with or without flucytosine as initial therapy)in Huashan Hospital,Fudan University from 1997 to 2007 were retrospectively reviewed.Clinical manifestations,therapeutic effects and outcomes of the patients were collected.Results Fluconazole was administered with median dosage of 400 mg/d,for a median duration of 20.5 days.After fluconazole initial therapy for 2 weeks,16.7% showed partial response,83.3% showed no response,and the overall response rate was 16.7%.After 10 weeks,33.3% showed partial response,29.2% showed complete response,16.7% showed no response,and the overall response rate was 62.5%.Mortality at week 10 was 20.8%.Twenty-two patients who failed to respond to initial therapy were switched to other antifungal drugs(amphotericin B,amphotericin B colloidal dispersion,itraconazole)or other fluconazole containing combined therapy.Eleven out of the 24 patients died during one-year follow-up,8 of whom died of eryptococcal meningitis,and 3 died of other diseases.Conclusions The initial therapy of fluconazole with or without flucytosine is inefficient,and most of the patients need other antifungal drugs because of initial therapy failure.Therefore,fluconazole might not be appropriate for initial therapy in non-HIV-infected cryptococcal meningitis.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of continuous infusion of lidocaine via urinary catheter for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing urological surgery.Methods:Forty male American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients, aged 65-75 yr, with body mass index of 18-25 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective percutaneous nephrolithotomy, were divided into 2 groups ( n=20 each) using a random number table method: continuous infusion of lidocaine through urinary catheter group (group L) and patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) group (group PCIA). All the patients underwent total intravenous anesthesia, and a matched type of sterile urethral irrigation catheter was inserted after the operation.In group L, 0.5% lidocaine was continuously infused at a rate of 5 ml/h via the urinary catheter, while the equal volume of 0.9% normal saline was continuously infused via the urinary catheter, and PCIA was connected in group PCIA.PCIA solution contained sufentanil 125 μg (diluted to 250 ml in normal saline), and the PCA pump was set up with a 5 ml bolus dose, a 15 min lockout interval and background infusion at a rate of 5 ml/h.When visual analogue score was>4, sufentanil 0.05 μg/kg was injected intravenously as rescue analgesic.The development and severity of catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) were recorded immediately at the end of the operation (T 1), and at 6 h (T 2), 24 h (T 3) and 48 h (T 4) after the operation, respectively.Riker sedation-agitation scale (SAS) score was recorded at T 1, 2, and QoR-9 scale was recorded at T 3, 4.The concentrations of serum cortisol (Cor), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and blood glucose (Glu) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.First off-bed time, exhaust time, length of hospital stay after surgery, and the requirement for rescue analgesia and adverse reactions (nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression, hypotension, skin itching) within 48 h after the operation were recorded. Results:Compared with group PCIA, the incidence of CRBD and the severity were significantly decreased at T 1-4, SAS score was decreased at T 1, 2, QoR-9 score was increased at T 3, 4, Cor, NE, E and Glu concentrations were decreased at T 1-4, the incidence of postoperative rescue analgesia was decreased, first off-bed time, exhaust time and length of hospital stay after surgery was shortened, and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression, hypotension, skin itching was decreased in group L ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Continuous infusion of lidocaine through the urinary catheter can provide good postoperative analgesia, reduce postoperative stress response and adverse reactions, and facilitate early postoperative recovery in patients undergoing urological surgery.